The 13th National Winter Games took place in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Jan 22.

The opening ceremony of the 13th National Winter Game is held in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Jan 20. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

The games make up China's largest winter sports event, which will run from Jan 20 to 30. It is designed to boost the popularity of skiing and ice skating across the country, as the nation gears up to host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

It is the first time since the winter sports gala was introduced in 1959 that the games have been held outside the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, where winter sports are hugely popular.

The Xinjiang event will see 54 provincial and municipal teams compete for 97 gold medals in 11 multi-disciplinary sports?– including alpine skiing, speed skating and hockey?– over a 12-day period.

Military men carry the Chinese flag at the 13th National Winter Game in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Jan 20. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Xinjiang has long been considered as a potential host of a national-scale sporting event due to its favorable natural conditions, abundant snowfall and a long cultural tradition of sports.

Regional authorities expressed confidence in being able to successfully host the event in the lead up to it. They have also endeavored to promote the image of the remote region, according to Zhang Chunxian, the Party chief of Xinjiang.

"The games provide a window for a better understanding of Xinjiang's ethnic traditions, natural landscape and modern social development. We should seize the opportunity to promote the region while demonstrating the growing participation in winter sports here," Zhang said.

Audiences watch the opening ceremony of the 13th National Winter Game in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Jan 20. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Edited by Jacob Hooson