Xinjiang Daily news (Reporter Reyida): In the golden autumn, more than 3 million mus (one mu equals to 0.067 hectare) of primitive populus euphratica forest on the banks of the Yarkant River present the most beautiful scenery in a year, attracting tourists from all over the country. On October 22, 2020, the five-day Kashgar Populus Euphratica Festival of Silk Road Culture, Xinjiang, China, was launched at the Yarkant River eco-tourism area in Shache County of Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The rich and colorful cultural tourism activities will offer tourists a "feast of populus euphratica culture".

In addition to view the marvelous populus euphratica forest, the opening ceremony also held a series of activities, such as the Twelve Muqam performance, the "Silk Road Ancient Style·New Melody of Populus Euphratica" online photography contest, the Dawaz tightrope walking over the Yarkant River, the “mini marathon” around the Yarkant River and a self-driving tour assembly competition, etc.. Next, a series of special activities will be held, such as a desert adventure tour, a silk road populus euphratica music tour and a glacier hiking challenge tour seperately in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Zepu County, Makit County and Bachu County.

Since the beginning of 2020, Kashgar has vigorously carried out the "Kashgar people tour Kashgar" activity, implemented policies benefiting local people, held special festival celebrations, supplied various tourism products, strengthened publicity and promotion, improved service quality and optimized tourism environment, for the recovery of tourism. In the first three quarters in 2020, Kashgar Prefecture received nearly 12.2 million domestic visits, with a revenue of nearly 10.6 billion RMB yuan.