Photo: Fan Anqi/GT

Recent years have seen a rise in Chinese people's passion for visiting Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, craving a bite of the sweet grapes and juicy lamb, and also the breathtaking natural scenery and local culture. With the boom in the tourism industry, local people told the Global Times that not only have they benefited economically, but more importantly they have developed a growing willingness to embrace a broader world.

In a recent visit to Turpan's Karez, an ancient irrigation system with a history of 2,000 years, the Global Times reporter saw people from across the country crowding into the scenic spot. They were going down the Karez, meaning "well" in the local Uygur language, and tasting the crisp and cool well water while listening to stories of how ancient people cracked open a "channel of life" through the barren land with their wisdom and perseverance.

Photo: Fan Anqi/GT

"Karez is not only our 'mother river' that has fed generations of Turpan residents; it has also brought many job opportunities and wealth to the local people after it was developed into a scenic spot. This year we have received an average of more than 3,000 visitors per day, totaling some 351,500 people, which has already surpassed the annual visitor volume in pre-epidemic times," Ma Jing, the Karez scenic spot manager, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

To attract more tourists, the scenic spot has opened up accommodation with distinctive Xinjiang cultural elements, and collaborated with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to let tourists experience ancient craftsmanship. They have also introduced a variety of cultural immersion activities such as camel riding and archery.

Photo: Fan Anqi/GT

Turpan is not the only site in Xinjiang that has gained popularity in recent years. Visitors have been drawn by passionate Uygur songs and dances, delicious kebabs and flatbreads, and buildings full of exotic charm. It is now popular with visitors around the globe, bringing huge socioeconomic benefits for the locals.

Hatimjan Yasen, a retail shop owner in Toksun Prefecture under Turpan, told the Global Times that ever since her town was transformed into a rural-themed tourist attraction, her life has seen tremendous changes.

In recent years, the Xia town where Yasen lives in has been hosting an apricot blossom festival each year from mid-March to mid-April, while also developing a series of supporting facilities and services including guesthouses, which have attracted a large number of tourists.

Photo: Fan Anqi/GT

Yasen opened up her own shop in 2018. At first it was very small, at about 20 square meters, and the selection of products was quite limited - such as stationery, fruit and vegetables. "Now my shop is making more money - 5,000 to 8,000 yuan during the apricot blossom festival and 3,000 yuan ($413) in other months, reaching an annual income of at least 50,000 yuan," she said proudly.

"My shop is twice as big as before with a bigger selection of goods, including the flatbreads that everyone loves. Now I don't have much time to cook, but my home has been equipped with an electric heater, replacing the old stove. My two kids go to school. The quality of life is getting better in every aspect," Yasen said.

Ayniwar Ailixi, the town mayor, told the Global Times that the development of tourism has brought an average 30 percent increase in local residents' annual income. "But more importantly, tourism has brought my residents closer to the outside world," the mayor said. "They can meet new people rather than being confined to their own small world, and as a result they are more willing to embrace new things, new technologies and step out of their comfort zones."

The Xia town launched rural ecotourism businesses in 2013. By 2016, tourists had reached some 70,000 a year, Ailixi said, while last year they received more than 600,000 visitors, partly thanks to promotions on Douyin and other short video platforms, as well as improvement in local infrastructure.