Photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows Li Yan and children playing at the ancient city of Kashi in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of Li Yan)

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Ren Hua) news: Li Yan has been living in Xinjiang for five years and now runs six bars. She has four bars, a homestay and a restaurant in Kashi City, Xinjiang’s Kashi Prefecture. Although she’s occupied with businesses for most of the time, in her spare time, she likes to walk slowly in the streets of the ancient city of Kashi, where the breeze blows gently, and see the shops with different styles and strong ethnic characteristics. She likes to sit on the bench, have cusual chats with neighbors, and watch children play football on the street...

“I really like living here. It is the place that has made my dreams come true, and helped me find the life I want,” said Li Yan.

“I rented a shop on the fifth day I came to Kashi”

In October, 2018, Li Yan drove to Kashi City from Shaoxing City in east China’s Zhejiang Province.

Li Yan decided to stay here and enjoy life while working. With resolute and prompt action, she rented a shop of more than 90 square meters in the downtown area for opening a bar on the fifth day she came to Kashi.

Running a bar was always her dream, but she had never thought that it could come true in Xinjiang. When the bar was opened two months later, to her surprise, young people were far more receptive to trends and fashions than she had expected, being willing to try new cocktails, listen to jazz music, and learn the most popular dances.

As she hoped, she made many friends with different occupations and of different ethnic groups, and she fit into the city environment real quick.

In October, 2019, Li Yan rented two shops, for opening a bar and a homestay, and she also brought her parents to Kashi. She spent a lot of money and time on decorating the bar and B&B, and with distinctive ethnic characteristics and fashion style, they soon became popular in the ancient city.

“I became a part of the ancient city of Kashi”

"The ancient city may be an attraction in the eyes of others, but I live a real life I have always wanted here." Li Yan said that in the days of opening a bar in the ancient city, life was colorful and delightful, enabling her to enjoy the beauty of life.

Li Yan’s homestay is well known in Kashi. This homestay with rich ethnic characteristics is not only an accommodation for travelers, but also a place where heart-warming stories happen. Tingting, from Sichuan Province of southwest China, went out during the day and came back after 4 am. What she didn't expect was that the homestay not only left the door open for her, but also prepared hot milk tea. Li Yan also became her guide, taking her to taste local specialties. After that, every time Tingting came to Xinjiang on business, she went to Li Yan's homestay in Kashi and the bar to chat with her.

Life goes on well, as well as her business. Taking the ride of the great development in Xinjiang’s tourism, in recent years, tourism in Kashi has seen prosperity. Li Yan's business is getting better and better, and she has opened the second and third bar in the ancient city...

“I want to put down roots in Xinjiang and live happily like this forever”

Li Yan is quite sensible, and the ancient city with hustle and bustle gives her wonderful emotional experiences.

Photo taken on June 20, 2024 shows Li Yan (R) eats fruit and chats with her mother (M) and an old lady at the ancient city of Kashi in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of Li Yan)

The staff at the bar are all Uygurs, and Li treats them as their own brothers and sisters; In return, the staff treat her as family too. Li Yan liked collecting and buying all kinds of bowls in the ancient city. One day, a staff member gave her a beautiful blue flowered bowl, which she said was used by her grandmother when she got married, and Li Yan was overwhelmed by immense joy. The next day another staff member brought her another one with red flowers, saying it was a family heirloom. Li Yan laughed, and a warm feeling spread through her heart.

In June, 2024, Li Yan's grandmother came to Kashi from Sichuan Province. The old lady felt right at home, and soon became good friends with another old lady in the ancient city. And they two often sit on the swing and chat. "I was particularly curious about what they were talking about; one speaks Sichuan dialect, the other speaks Uygur, but they could always chat all morning," Li Yan said.

She records every bit of her life and shares her experiences, "I want to put down roots in Xinjiang and live happily like this forever."

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