China's first ice-floating club opens in Xinjiang's Altay

China's first ice-floating club recently opened in Altay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, introducing a new winter leisure option that is already drawing interest from travelers.

At the newly built facility beside the Aweitan Reservoir, visitors wearing insulated waterproof red wetsuits stepped into frigid water and floated calmly on the surface.

Participants described the activity as surprising. "Previously, you had to go abroad to try something like this," said Zhou Jie, a tourist from Jiangxi province. "Now we can experience it right here in Altay."

According to the operator, safety remains the club's top priority. All coaches are professionally certified, guests are required to wear specially designed buoyant thermal suits, and lifeguards and safety officers remain on duty throughout each session.

Cheng Hou, director of the Polar Ice-Floating Tourism Studio in Altay, said the club plans to receive about 100 visitors per day and an estimated 10,000 throughout this winter season.

Facility upgrades and a larger coaching team are already underway as the club prepares to welcome more tourists from across the country.