Altay's wintertime play

Altay prefecture is coated with snow for up to 180 days a year.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Locals still use traditional skis made from pine and fur, the essential style of which may date back to 12,000 years. They still hold annual competitions using this footwear to race across snow.

Altay's Baihaba was named among China's most beautiful towns for its pristine environment and ancient traditions.

Another major draw in the prefecture is Fuhai county's Ulungur Lake.

The body of water is a major fishing site. Its history of ice fishing has morphed into a draw for travelers. Visitors can witness the worship rituals and fish auctions.

Burqin county draws visitors with its snowy swath of the Gobi Desert, its villages and its castle.

That's not to mention ice sculptures illuminated with polychromatic lights. A winter arts festival features performances with distinctive elements ranging from standup comics to dancing.

Hemu town is dotted with wooden cabins with smoke curling from chimneys. The settlement hosts an international ice and snow festival, featuring 50 events.

Altay has invested nearly 1 billion yuan to develop 42 tourism projects this year.