Booming tourism

The desert rail loop has not only brought convenience and opportunities to residents living nearby, but also allowed tourists to learn more about Xinjiang.

In Ruoqiang county, people from various ethnic groups perform Muqam, a traditional art form of the Uygur ethnic group integrating song, dance, and folk and classical music, while tourists applaud or dance along with the melody.

"We are much busier this year," said Ershidin Tursun, head of the Loulan Art Troupe of Ruoqiang county. "Sometimes we even have to add temporary performances or rehearse a newly developed dance to meet the demand from tourists."

For Hasyetikhan Matursun, a guide at the Kurban Tulum memorial hall, the ongoing summer vacation is indeed a busy one — but she enjoys the buzz of activity.

"Sometimes we are very busy, but we are happy that more people are coming here and learning about Kurban Tulum's story," she said.

Xinjiang has seen a rebound in the tourism sector this year. During the first half of 2023, the region received more than 102 million tourist trips, up 31.49 percent year-on-year, said the regional culture and tourism department.

Among the experiences that tourists enjoy is the local cuisine, including traditional baked buns stuffed with meat and sometimes vegetables, a typical delicacy of Xinjiang.

In a baked bun restaurant in Hotan city, a waiter demonstrates how to enjoy the buns by cutting away the tough flat side to reveal the steaming contents. Diners take photos and share them with friends via social media.

"The baked buns in Xinjiang are large and they have a fragrant aroma," said tourist Fan Fei, adding that they are similar to the pineapple buns in her hometown in Guangdong province, one of the country's economic powerhouses.

The rail loop is also convenient for people living near the desert who wish to travel outside Xinjiang. This year, a batch of students from a middle school in Ruoqiang county took the railway to Urumqi, where there is an abundance of flights, then took a plane to Shanghai, according to Feng Haiyan, who works with the school.

"Traveling by train is affordable and convenient. Our students went to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University, and experienced artificial intelligence and engaged in assembling robots in a factory," said Feng.

Xinhua