Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wei Hongping) news: When traveling in Xinjiang, Bosten Lake is one of the must-visit check-in spots. Taking a painted pleasure boat on the lake offers an immersive experience of its serene beauty, making you feel as if "the boat is gliding on the water, and you are wandering within a painting." It is truly a memorable experience.

"This October, we had many tourists. I start work half an hour earlier each morning so I could begin operating the boat by 9:30," said 26-year-old captain Nurmangu Mamat on October 23, 2025. After preparing the cockpit, she was ready to take the first group of tourists out to the center of the lake.

Photo shows Nurmangu Mamat operates a gaily-painted pleasure boat on the Bosten Lake in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo offered by Nurmangu Mamat)

Bosten Lake boasts a vast, blue surface. Although the blooming season for the 80,000 mu (about 5,333.33 hectares) of wild water lilies has ended, the endless reed beds continue to attract numerous visitors.

"We will close the park in about half a month. The mornings and evenings are a bit chilly now, but the scenery is even more captivating. The tourists are very enthusiastic, and I make eight or nine trips on the lake every day," Nurmangu said with a bright smile.

Nurmangu was born in Kuqa and graduated from Xinjiang Vocational University. During a university internship, she first saw Bosten Lake, located near the edge of the desert, and was instantly drawn to its beautiful landscape. After graduation, she fulfilled her wish to work at this scenic spot and has been employed here for seven years.

At first, Nurmangu worked as a ticket checker at the scenic area. For her, being able to work and live in a place she loved was already a dream come true. However, as time went on, she started to form new ambitions.

"If I could pilot a boat, I could see the scenery further out on the lake every day," said Nurmangu, drawn by the vast and beautiful Bosten Lake.

She approached the scenic area's manager to ask for the opportunity. To her surprise, the supervisor agreed immediately.

Nurmangu was sent for training. While studying, she took the competency exam for inland vessel crew members for the first time. Although she felt confident, she encountered one problem after another. When she tried to turn the stern left, it would swing right. She wanted to dock the boat as effortlessly as the experienced captain, but couldn't manage to bring it ashore properly.

It was then that she truly understood that becoming a helmsman was not as easy as she had imagined. Seeing her distressed look, the examiner comforted her, "Don't worry, young lady. Practice makes perfect. You have a solid grasp of the skills. With more practice and the right attitude, you will become an excellent captain."

Her hard work paid off. After a month of theoretical and practical training, Nurmangu passed the competency exam for inland vessel crew members with excellent grades.

Once she officially started her job, Nurmangu began piloting the painted pleasure boat daily, gliding slowly across the expansive lake. She takes dozens of tourists to see water birds skimming the surface, lotus leaves swaying gently, and reed catkins dancing in the breeze. With the harmonious sounds of water and wind around her, she deeply enjoys this leisurely life.

"My priority while piloting is everyone's safety. I can't chat with tourists during the ride, but I'm always happy to interact once we're back on shore," said Nurmangu. "Tourists from other provinces often ask to take photos with me. They like me, and they like Xinjiang too, so I'm determined to excel at serving visitors."

To ensure every passenger enjoys the boat ride, Nurmangu works diligently. She arrives early each day to clean the cabin thoroughly. She even accessorizes according to the season to complement tourists' photos, a thoughtful touch that delights them.

After more than two years as a pilot, Nurmangu not only prioritizes safe navigation but also takes great care of her boat, handling basic maintenance with ease. She has now become a well-known attraction at Bosten Lake herself, drawing many visitors who come specifically because of her.

Nurmangu credits her resilient character to her mother, who supports three children by running a tailor shop in their hometown. Her elder brother has settled in Kuqa, while Nurmangu and her mother fund her younger sister's university studies in Urumqi.

"Mom used to wish I'd start a family sooner, but since I love piloting so much, she fully supports me now," Nurmangu shared. In 2024, they traveled to Hangzhou together. While on a boat tour of West Lake, her mother proudly told the crew, "My daughter is a boat pilot too."

When the crew and other tourists saw the certificate Nurmangu carried and learned about the beautiful Bosten Lake near the Taklimakan Desert, they all gave her thumbs-up.

"I will keep improving my skills to offer tourists an even better experience, so more visitors will fall in love with Xinjiang and come to Bosten Lake to see its beauty," Nurmangu said proudly.

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