A pastry embodies both skill and sincerity

Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows Guo Jingyu (left) promotes pastries via livestreaming with a shop assistant.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Han Liang) news: On March 31, 2026, stepping into the "Doppa Guli" bakery on Guangming Road in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the air was filled with a delightful blend of milky and nutty aromas. In the display case, various pastries such as croissant pastries and corn flour snacks were neatly arranged, looking incredibly tempting. Guo Jingyu, the person in charge of the bakery, was introducing them to customers: "These pastries, rich in ethnic characteristics, have a long history of production and a unique taste. They are not only a daily treat but also a warm gift for visiting friends and relatives."

As a representative inheritor of the county-level intangible cultural heritage item in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Guo Jingyu has been deeply involved in the baking industry for many years, preserving traditional flavors with dedication and craftsmanship.

Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows the process of sprinkling coconut flakes on pastries.

Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows Guo Jingyu (right) assigns the day's work tasks to the shop assistant.

“What makes traditional Xinjiang pastries so special is that they are truly handmade — every bit of pressure, heat, and shaping comes down to experience. The texture is simply one of a kind," said Guo Jingyu. The shop's signature croissant pastries and other treats are carefully hand-rolled and shaped from start to finish, with close attention to size, color, and form. Each pastry carries the warmth of being made by hand. With eight staff members working together in harmony, this traditional craft is being passed down and given new life.

Guo Jingyu said her journey as an entrepreneur started with a passion for her hometown and a love of good food. After entering the baking industry in 2015, she went on to open "Doppa Guli" bakery in 2024, with a clear goal in mind: to create a local Xinjiang pastry brand with a unique character all its own.

To tackle the challenge of market homogenization, Guo Jingyu blends modern health concepts with traditional craftsmanship. Her team has developed low-fat, low-sugar pastries made from pure corn flour. Embracing the philosophy of "food as medicine," they have introduced Huoxiang digestive cookies, with sweetness precisely controlled at 50 percent to strike a balance between flavor and health. By integrating pastry-making techniques from various ethnic traditions, they continue to refine and create new products.

Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows Guo Jingyu makes pastries.

Photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows Guo Jingyu makes pastries with shop assistants.

To bring her products beyond Xinjiang, Guo Jingyu has created a signature "Xinjiang Gift" box. She solved the challenge of pastries being easily damaged during transport and adopted sealed packaging to extend shelf life. Inside the gift box, she includes cultural and creative products such as Atlas silk, refrigerator magnets, coasters, and small embroidered caps, which have proven very popular with customers. Today, half of her orders are shipped to other parts of China as well as the five Central Asian countries.

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