Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Jazira Nisbek) news: On April 13, 2024, tourist minibuses lined the road outside the ancient city of Kashi, and tourists from all over the country stepped off one after another.

According to recently released tourism data, Kashi Prefecture welcomed 7.17 million visitors in the first quarter of 2024. This represents a remarkable 58.82 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 and is nearly five times higher than the number of visitors in 2019. Furthermore, tourism revenue soared to 6.008 billion yuan (approximately 830.83 million U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 90.73 percent. This revenue is nearly four times higher than that was generated in 2019, showcasing the significant growth in the tourism industry in Kashi Prefecture.

Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows tourists take photos at Rainbow Alley in the ancient city of Kashi in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhang Yuhang)

Seize opportunities during tourism peak

On April 10, 2024, the ancient city of Kashi welcomed over 40,000 visitors. On April 10, 2024, the ancient city of Kashi welcomed over 40,000 visitors, a number close to the average daily footfall during last year's May Day holiday.

Tourists from inside and outside Xinjiang can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys of Kashi City. They strolled along paths lined with blooming peach trees, explored the vibrant food streets, and immersed themselves in the beauty of Xiangfei Park.

Kashi is bustling not only due to its long-standing reputation but also because of the Kashi sub-venue of the Spring Festival Gala in the Year of the Dragon. The outstanding performances, celebrity effects like Dilraba Dilmurat, and a stage set against the backdrop of the thousand-year-old ancient city were showcased in this gala, all presenting Kashi's beauty in a realistic and romantic way.

According to Liu Hui, secretary of the leading Party members' group and deputy director general of the Kashi Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, relevant departments have long anticipated this surge in tourism and the early arrival of peak tourist season.

The local merchants in the ancient city of Kashi are experiencing the benefits of the tourism boom the most. Dilxat Tursun, owner of the Dili and Diya Cafe, has witnessed a surge in both individual and group tourists since March of this year. In order to seize this opportunity, Tursun invested in three new coffee machines to meet the growing demand.

"I went back to my wife’s hometown, Tanzania, to visit her family this winter, and I learned more about how to select and brew coffee beans here. I'm confident that they will appreciate the distinct taste and aroma of the combination of Kashi's milk and Tanzanian coffee beans."

Upgrade the tourism service

"Counties and towns around Kashi are all popular destinations for tourists," said Li Xinyu, head of Kashi Kunlun Travel Agency Co., Ltd. Although Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County is a bit far away, it remains a popular tourist destination.

The early arrival of peak tourist season has become a touchstone for the tourism reception service capabilities of various counties and cities in Kashi. While Kashi's reputation attracts tourists, it is its rich tourism offerings, unique cultural landscapes, and excellent service that win their praise.

Photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a tourist plays guzheng (Chinese zither) under apricot blossom trees in Shufu County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yu Simin)

According to Liu Hui, 34 key cultural and tourism projects with a total investment of 823 million yuan (about 113.69 million U.S. dollars) will be constructed in Kashi Prefecture this year. These projects include nine tourist centers, 24 tourism restrooms, 24 parking lots, and 10 self-driving (RV) campsites, etc.

In mid-March of this year, over 700 tour guides, hotel service staff, and travel agency leaders from the entire prefecture gathered for an eight-day training program aimed at improving service quality.

As a renowned place for song and dance, Yarkant County expects to receive 10 million tourists this year, a 20 percent increase compared to last year. Efforts have been made in recent days to organize the song and dance dramas to enrich the local nighttime economy. Additionally, distinctive streets focusing on 104 intangible cultural heritage projects are being developed in the old town of Yarkant County to provide visitors with a more immersive experience of the charm of intangible cultural heritage.

Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County is expected to welcome 1.55 million tourists this year. To accommodate this influx of visitors, seven hotels and guesthouses are currently in operation, providing a total of 6,900 beds.

According to Li Xinyu, compared with previous years, their travel agency mainly organizes groups with minibuses for a maximum of six people this year, which can provide tourists with a better traveling experience.

"This is my second time traveling to Kashi, and this year I came to Taxkorgan, although the weather was a bit cold, I was impressed by the great local service," said Wang Dongdong, a tourist from Shanghai.

Let more people benefit from tourism

How can we sustainably promote the high-quality development of local cultural tourism and make the tourism industry benefit more residents?

There are peach blossoms, pear blossoms, apple blossoms, Badam blossoms and plum blossoms... Now, it is the season of blossoms in Kashi. Various festive events in this place can not only promote local tourism resources but also provide a platform for local residents to increase sales and income.

Photo taken on April 12, 2024 shows tourists appreciate apricot blossoms under the apricot trees on the Pamir Plateau, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Wang Hong.)

On March 30, 2024, Yengisar County, known for its exquisite knives, delicious apricots and Dawaz performances, held a flower appreciation event that attracted over 400,000 online viewers through livestreaming. And the stalls selling dried fruits, handicrafts, and agricultural products were crowded with people.

"I have never tasted Badam wrapped in butter; that's so delicious. And the dried apricot and dried plum all taste great," said Li Jing, a tourist from Shandong who bought many Xinjiang specialties and brought them back to family and friends.

Currently, there are 3,000-4,000 people engaged in the tourism industry in Taxkorgan, with 70 percent of them being locals. The opening of the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park on April 4 has caused a stir among netizens. This project has also brought in over 13 million yuan (about 1.79 million U.S. dollars) in additional income for the two neighboring townships.

In a cultural and creative store named "Enchanted" in the ancient city of Kashi, a skirt made using traditional techniques has become the most popular item. Other cultural and creative products in the store, such as pillows, wallets, and cups featuring elements of Xinjiang, are also selling well in the market. The store is run by Mavlan Turah, a 30-year-old man who grew up in the ancient city Kashi and was the first to offer high-end personalized photo services in the scenic area. Now, there are over 160 photography stores in the scenic area.

As the most popular tourist destination in Kashi Prefecture, the ancient city of Kashi showcases local customs and traditions through its various bazaars and unique streets. The management committee of the ancient city is continuously improving its services and providing visitors with a better experience.

"The development of the tourism industry has created thousands of new businesses and jobs in the scenic area," said Liu Huan, deputy secretary of the Party working committee of Wusitangboyi Street in Kashi City. "We will continue to improve the business environment to give confidence to those working in this scenic area and to inject infinite vitality into the ancient city, and attract more visitors."

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