Photo shows poplar forests near the old village of Daliyabuyi and newly built guesthouses in Yutian County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The old village of Daliyabuyi in Yutian County lies deep within the desert. It has no paved roads, no mobile signal, and no stable electricity supply. Following a full village relocation under a poverty alleviation program, the area has begun developing special tourism activities such as desert adventures around the old site. Villagers are encouraged to join tourism cooperatives, creating more ways to earn income. (Xinhua/ Chen Shuo)

In the depths of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, sunlight falls over the vast desert, turning the sands a soft gold. The glimmering light in the distance marks the origin of this story — the Keliya River. Flowing down from the Kunlun Mountains, it travels more than 500 kilometers into the heart of the Taklimakan Desert, as if fulfilling a natural calling to nourish the land and sustain life.

No one knows exactly when people first found this oasis, rich with red willow, poplar, and reed, and made it their home. Using what the land provided, they built simple "bazi houses (thatched houses)" with poplar logs as beams and red willow branches for walls. A local favorite called "Kumaq" is made by wrapping flatbread around mutton and baking it in the hot sand. It was not until the 19th century that the outside world learned of Daliyabuyi Village.

Photo shows "bazi house" in the old village of Daliyabuyi Village. (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Yutian County Committee)

Photo shows Gulbahar Abdulla, a villager of Daliyabuyi Village, cooks at home before the relocation. (Xinhua/ Hu Huhu)

Carving new paths forward

In 1989, Yutian County officially established Daliyabuyi Township, with its administrative center set in the more populated part of Daliyabuyi Village. Yet, daily life here remained a struggle: no internet, no reliable electricity, and no stable communication. Despite being just 200 to 300 kilometers from the county seat, the village had no paved roads. The only route in or out was a rough desert track, and a single trip to town could take two or three days. With over 1,000 villagers, what kind of future could they possibly have?

They had to move. The sands are always shifting, and so must people, carving new paths forward.

Starting in 2017, Daliyabuyi Village embarked on a full-scale relocation. Their new home still lies along the Keliya River, but their lives have been transformed entirely.

Photo shows neat and picturesque new village of Daliyabuyi. (Photo by Abdulla Mamatimin)

"Welcome to my new home," said villager Azrethan Musa. Her family had moved into a white two-story house with a courtyard. The building, which accommodated four households, had been constructed as part of a local government housing plan. Azrethan Musa had chosen all the appliances and furniture herself, including the refrigerator, sofa, and wardrobe, during a trip to the county town. With three bedrooms and a living room thoughtfully arranged, the home felt warm and inviting.

After 7 p.m., her son came back from school. He turned on the TV, found the children's channel, and watched attentively. He studies at a primary school in Daliyabuyi Township, which is located just a few hundred meters from their house.

The school had 12 teachers and 35 students. Although small, it was fully equipped. The laboratory, computer room, and teachers' offices had all the necessary instruments and tools. Principal Akramjan Arkin noted, "We run our classes normally even if only one student is present."

Inside a display cabinet in the classroom, there were miniature model houses made by the students using cardboard boxes and chalk containers. "These are the children's own versions of 'home.' We keep them here so the students can see them often and remember that their new homes are a precious gift," explained Akramjan Arkin.

Photo shows Azrethan Musa and her son watch TV together in their new home. (Photo by Shang Rongzheng)

Changes in life

To create a better shared home, several key initiatives have been implemented. A newly paved 90-kilometer road now connects National Highway 315 to the village entrance, making travel more convenient for both residents and visitors. Each new home was designed with dedicated spaces for guesthouses or shops, providing villagers with stable income opportunities. Additionally, a fully equipped health center featuring a laboratory, examination rooms, and an ambulance has been established, significantly improving healthcare access.

Tudihan Asan, the health center's chronic disease specialist, begins her day by visiting patients at home. She and her colleagues split duties, going door-to-door to monitor patients' conditions and ensure their medicines are still effective. Having grown up in the village, Tudihan returned after graduating from Turpan Vocational and Technical College in 2024 to serve the community she knows so well.

"To help villagers earn more, we're not only continuing to raise Hotan sheep but also developing Cistanche farming and desert tourism," said Li Sheng, a member of the Daliyabuyi Township Party Committee. These efforts are reshaping a lifestyle that has endured for generations. A local Hotan sheep cooperative now manages the livestock of villagers who work elsewhere, while prioritizing employment for those unable to leave the area. This approach both frees up younger workers and creates income sources for residents who stay.

Amid saxaul shrubs as tall as a person, villagers use shovels to dig through the sand, uncovering Cistanche deserticola, a plant whose scaly surface resembles a pangolin's armor. The hot, dry climate and sandy soil here provide an ideal habitat for it. To date, Daliyabuyi is home to 38,000 Hotan sheep and 25,000 mu (about 1,667 hectares) of cultivated Cistanche, with each participating household earning an average of 15,000 yuan (about 2,145 U.S. dollars) more per year.

With the income from selling Cistanche, villager Patigul Ubulasan opened a shop in the village. Starting from zero, she taught herself how to select and stock products. Her store has since become one of the most well-supplied and popular shops in the community.

Photo shows villager Anwar Matsidik (right) and his wife run a small shop in the old village of Daliyabuyi, catering to the needs of visiting tourists. (Xinhua/ Hu Huhu)

Crossing the desert, tourists now come to the village

On social media, Daliyabuyi has become known as a destination for desert adventure travel. In recent years, the area has been developed into a scenic zone that includes both the new and old villages. Tourism companies have been brought in to offer activities like desert motorcycle rides.

The new village has grown livelier. Local guesthouses feature restored traditional "bazi houses," where villagers prepare "Kumaq" using age-old family recipes. Azrethan Musa, who once focused only on her own household, now works as a homestay manager, overseeing cleaning and maintenance for more than 30 guest rooms.

Business is even stronger in the old village, located over 130 kilometers away. Former homes have been carefully renovated into establishments such as "Grandma Qiaopahan's Café" and "Grandma Niyaz's Noodle Shop." Every year, tens of thousands of visitors make the journey across the desert to experience the ancient settlement.

Photo shows children run through the new village of Daliyabuyi. (Xinhua/ Hu Huhu)

With the dawn of a new day, the morning sun filters through the light mist. Villagers clear sand from their doorsteps, children walk across the square to school, and Daliyabuyi stirs back to life. The passenger bus departs for Yutian County, passing jeeps filled with tourists along the way. This blend of calm and activity captures a truth revealed by the village's journey of relocation: a brighter future is always within reach.

(Source: People’s Daily)