Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Yao Gang) news:As the Spring Festival approaches, Hemu Village in the Hemu Kanas Mongolian Township of Burqin County, nestled among the mountains in the far northwest of China, becomes increasingly lively with the arrival of tourists from all over the country.

At 11 a.m., Kulan Kerim drove a horse-drawn sled back to the resting point for horsemen in Hemu Village, brushed off the snow from his body, and hurried inside to grab a few bites of breakfast. A photography enthusiast had booked a trip to the Hadeng Platform to shoot the sunrise, so Kulan set off with tourists in the horse-drawn sled before 8 a.m. The round trip took about two hours. "The tourists love to chat with me, saying I'm very cheerful, and it makes me very happy," said Kulan.

Photo shows tourists experience the horse-drawn sled at Hemu Village in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yao Gang)

In the snow-covered Kanas Village, riding horses through the snowy forest, taking horse-drawn sleds to watch the sunrise, and seeing the morning smoke curling up have become a way for tourists living in cities to relax.

The Hemu Knight Horse Team, where Kulan is a member, has more than 100 horsemen, and Kulan is one of the few women among them.

"How did you come to be a horseman?" "More and more people are traveling to Hemu Village, and there are also more guests riding horses and taking sleds in winter. The horse team has a traditional Kazak folk performance "Kyz Kuu" (a traditional Kazak entertainment), which requires female actors, so I came." Kulan has a bold personality and quickly got along with the other horsemen.

Ten years ago, Kulan left Hemu Village to marry someone from another place. "At that time, my husband and I did odd jobs everywhere, and by the end of the year, we hardly saved any money."

"Go back to the village. The village is developing tourism, and there are quite a few opportunities to make money." Her parents advised her. Kulan followed their suggestion and returned to the village with her husband. They borrowed a room from her parents for daily living. She first worked as a waitress in a restaurant, while her husband joined a construction team in the village to build guesthouses. Life became better than before, and Kulan and her husband smiled more often.

Photo shows people enjoy the splendid snow scenery of Hemu Village in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yao Gang)

"After I joined the horse team, I started saving money. The wages are paid daily, and after deducting the management fees, the rest is pure profit." Kulan works at the horse team every day, while her husband takes on more responsibilities for caring for the elderly and children at home.

In recent years, "Spending a Primitive New Year in Hemu" has become a hallmark during the local Spring Festival. With the arrival of tourists from various places, the Hemu Knight Horse Team has also welcomed one of its busiest periods of the year. "During the Spring Festival, each of us can earn over 800 yuan a day." The substantial income brought by the horsemen has given Kulan a lot of confidence.

"Previously, homestays and restaurants would close in winter, and many villagers would move to the county for the winter. But now it's different; the number of tourists in winter is the same as in summer, and we have work all year round." Kulan and her husband built five small wooden houses and rented them out to homestay operators, giving them an additional source of income. In 2024, Kulan took out a loan to buy a car worth over 200,000 yuan. "It's much more convenient to take the parents and children to the county," she said.

Photo shows people enjoy the splendid snow scenery of Hemu Village in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yao Gang)

"The village has developed tourism, attracting more and more young people like Kulan to return to the village," said Yerken Saypulla, captain of the Hemu Knights Horse Team. There are four female horsemen like Kulan in the horse team.

The arrival of young people has also brought more vitality to the Hemu Knights Horse Team. Learning tourism service knowledge, learning the national common language, and introducing the characteristics of their hometown to tourists have become the responsibility of more and more people. “We want tourists to feel that Hemu is not only beautiful in scenery, but also has great people. With the Spring Festival approaching, I want to provide better service and retain more repeat customers. This is the best New Year gift for me,” said Kulan.

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