Photo taken on June 13, 2021 shows a worker presenting a selection of roses in Tacheng City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Warm sunshine and blossoming roses account for much of the summer life for married couple Li Chaoheng and Chen Qianyi.

The young couple, hailing from Tacheng City in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, relish their romantic life in their hometown, an ethnically diverse city that borders Kazakhstan.

Running a Damascus rose plantation of some 47 hectares and a factory producing products such as rosewater and essential oil, the two see a bright future for themselves.

The science and engineering graduates had secure, well-paying jobs elsewhere before they decided to return to their hometown in 2015.

"It was out of love, both for my wife and for our hometown," said Li, 36, adding that his wife is fond of flowers, and roses in particular.

The Damascus rose, known for its strong fragrance, is one of the most sought-after ingredients for cosmetics, but it rarely grows in high-latitude regions.

Li and Chen believe their hometown, with ample sunshine, fresh air, and a huge difference between temperatures during the day and at night, is ideal for growing the plant despite its relatively high latitude.

The inexperienced couple had spent all their money and even sold their apartment in the regional capital, Urumqi, in the first two years of their business.

"We were about to give up then. But hope sprouted that summer as the roses were in full bloom," said Li. "The beautiful roses attracted swarms of tourists who bought our products after sightseeing."

Their business has been thriving ever since. Chen now focuses on the research and development of related products, while her outgoing husband is in charge of sales and promotion.

By attending exhibitions like the China-Eurasia Expo, they have inked partnership agreements with many clients in Xinjiang and beyond.

The couple has labeled their brand "Fragrance in frozen land." "Fragrance" refers to the scent of the rose and symbolizes their youth, while "frozen land" indicates the long winters in Tacheng City.

"We came back to the city in the prime of our lives. It has been a rewarding decision as we believe in our hometown's rosy future," said Li.