Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wang Jingjing) news: On November 9, 2024, an event featuring song and dance performances was hosted at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, over 7,000 kilometers away from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This event aimed to promote Xinjiang's ice and snow resources in 2024, and attracted nearly 300 people and tourism practitioners.

Photo taken on November 9, 2024 shows a local in Singapore (first from left) dances with performers from China’s Xinjiang in Singapore. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Wang Jingjing)

Half an hour before the start of the activity, Zhang Xueping, who has lived in Singapore for 23 years, arrived at the venue with two friends dressed in traditional ethnic costumes. "Recently, I watched the TV series 'To the Wonder' and was deeply impressed by Xinjiang. When I saw your promotion of Xinjiang’s tourism, I quickly made an appointment to meet you," she said. They had specifically borrowed the costumes to show their support for Xinjiang's cultural tourism.

As early as the 1990s, Singaporeans began visiting a Silk Road-themed travel route, starting from Xi'an and Gansu and continuing to Xinjiang. They primarily visit Urumqi City, the Tianshan Tianchi scenic spot, and Turpan Prefecture. "Many people around us have been to Xinjiang, and now we want to see something different," said Singaporean resident Huang Jianhong. She shared that she had just visited Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in July and was enchanted by Qiongkushitai Village. "I used to think that September was the best time to visit Xinjiang, but this trip in July changed my perspective on the region's stunning scenery. Upon returning, I recommended it to my friends. People from Southeast Asian countries must travel to Xinjiang; otherwise, they will regret it for a lifetime."

At the event, over 100 different types of tourism and cultural products from three major brands in Xinjiang attracted significant attention. One standout item was the fur painting from Xinjiang, which is recognized as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage in Urumqi. "These creative products have rich cultural significance and include items such as picture frames, backpacks, refrigerator magnets, and mirror cloths. Each item has its own story, and my interest in visiting Xinjiang has surged," said Ma Lin, a Singaporean resident and accountant who recently became a full-time traveler. She left her contact information with a travel agency from Xinjiang present at the activity, intending to get more details about her potential trip to Xinjiang.

During the activity, three heads of travel agencies from China’s Xinjiang, presented Xinjiang's autumn and winter tourism routes and products. Many local travelers expressed interest in forming long-term partnerships with these Xinjiang travel agencies. "Most of the cooperative travel agencies for these overseas agencies in China are located in cities like Shanghai and Kunming, and this even has opened channels for communication. In the future, they can connect with us directly when they visit Xinjiang, which will significantly lower their costs and help us attract a larger number of tourists," said Nijat Yusuf, deputy general manager of CYTS Xinjiang International Travel Service Co., Ltd.

Photo taken on November 9, 2024 shows the head of Singapore Huayun Travel Agency (first from right) and the head of CYTS Xinjiang International Travel Service Co., Ltd. (First from left) sign a cooperation agreement in Singapore. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Wang Jingjing)

Singapore Huayun Travel Agency and CYTS Xinjiang International Travel Service Co., Ltd. recently signed a cooperation agreement for the year 2025. In the first ten months of 2024, Singapore Huayun Travel Agency sent 800 tourists from Singapore and neighboring countries to Xinjiang, China, and they anticipate that the total number will reach 1,000 by the end of the year. Li Liangyi, chairman of Singapore Huayun Travel Agency, said, "In our new cooperation agreement, we aim to introduce more products, such as 'tourism + sports' for ice and snow tourism and 'tourism + events' to include activities like lake loop racing and motorcycle racing, which will attract tourists to visit Xinjiang repeatedly."

Qin Wen, a cultural counselor at the Chinese embassy in Singapore, invited Singaporean tourists to explore Xinjiang. He quoted Wang Meng's speech at the book launch of In Ili, “During my time in Xinjiang, I felt deeply that everyone has a sense of community for the Chinese nation, a community of shared destiny and values, a community of culture, and a community of life. The community of the Chinese nation embodies deep emotions. You are welcome to visit Xinjiang and experience its rich culture.”

(A written permission shall be obtained for reprinting, excerpting, copying and mirroring of the contents published on this website. Unauthorized aforementioned act shall be deemed an infringement, of which the actor shall be held accountable under the law.)