Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Liu Mengmeng, Correspondent Jiao Zuqing) news: On June 10, 2023, the third Tourism and Cultural Festival of Xigebi Town was held in Shawan City, northwest China’s Xinjiang, where traditional folk culture performances such as Hez Huar (a traditional Kazak entertainment), Aken Aytes and horse racing attracted many tourists.

Photo shows the third Tourism and Cultural Festival of Xigebi Town held in Shawan City, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Xu Guangyong)

The third Tourism and Cultural Festival of Xigebi Town, Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang, began with the performance of "Happy Songs of the Prosperous Times", which was accompanied by the sound of cheerful and harmonious music. After that, the dombra performance team, the horse team and the camel bell team entered and performed in turn. "The happy life is unfolding before you and me..." A melodious song came from the stage, and Dawulietihan Asihareli was singing his favorite song while playing the dombra.

Photo shows the performance of Aken Aytes in Shawan City, northwest China’s Xinjiang.

"Being an Aken needs performers to be able to sing and play with improvisation. Besides traditional cultural knowledge, I now watch the news and read newspapers every day. Only with knowledge in reserve can the content of lyrics be more convincing." Dawulietihan said. Aken Aytes was listed in the first batch of the State-level intangible cultural heritage items in 2006. "The Aken Aytes contest is held to explore more young Akens and help them improve their singing ability." Zhang Shuhong, a member of the party committee and publicity committee of Xigebi Town in Shawan City, said.

Besides the wonderful performance, traditional folk events such as Hez Huar and picking up the “silver” (money or valuable items) on the back of a galloping horse brought loud shouts and cheers from visitors from time to time.

Photo shows the third Tourism and Cultural Festival of Xigebi Town held in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang. (Photo by Xu Guangyong)

Not far away from the racecourse, a pair of young Kazak men and women in costume galloped on horseback, "The Kazaks have a proverb called ‘Horses are to heroes what wings are to birds.' I hope to let more people know the traditional Kazak folklore customs through the Hez Huar performance," said villager Jiaerkenguli Shaken. Blue sky, grassland, snowy mountains, cheerful folklore songs and dances, as well as horse racing, wrestling, Aken Aytes and other gorgeous and colorful folklore performances gave visitors a novel experience.

Photo shows the third Tourism and Cultural Festival of Xigebi Town held in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang. (Photo by Xu Guangyong)

Xigebi Town is located in the southern mountains of Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang. And there is a national 3A-level tourist resort - a hot spring scenic spot inside the town. Xigebi Town has unique geographical advantages and a good agricultural and animal husbandry foundation. "This year, we will focus on infrastructure and public facility construction including building and improving roads, external wall upgrading, and greening, to further enhance the comprehensive carrying capacity of the town and service capacity, and make Xigebi Town a hot spring town with leisure gathering area, tourism distribution center and tourism services as its core." Zhang Shuhong said.

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