Summer fishing starts at Xinjiang’s Bosten Lake, driving tourism

The summer fishing season at the Bosten Lake in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region started on Saturday after a 112-day fishing ban, driving a boom in both the local fishery industry and regional tourism.

Nestled at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the lake is China’s largest inland freshwater body and renowned for its abundant fish populations, characterized by their impressive sizes. The dramatic sight of massive hauls being pulled out of water has become a major attraction.

To maximize the economic impact, the local government has integrated the fish harvesting with cultural tourism, creating a highly profitable summer carnival centered around the lake’s bounty.