Tourists flock to Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County for unique scenery, cultural heritage

Relying on its unique natural scenery of the Pamir Plateau and ethnic culture, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has vigorously developed its tourism industry, ushering in a new chapter of rural revitalization and the integrated development of culture and tourism.

Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, as a hot destination in Xinjiang, fascinates the visitors with famous scenic spots such as the Pamir Plateau and the winding highway, along with more than 10 intangible cultural heritages such as the Tajik Eagle Dance.

The Stone City ruins in Taxkorgan are in a unique position surrounded by mountains, where tourists can immerse themselves in the unique architectural landscape and natural scenery.

The Stone City was a pivotal point where the middle and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road converged, serving as a crucial thoroughfare for communication between the various dynasties of the Central Plains and countries in Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia at that time.

Many Tajik dancers often perform the traditional Tajik Eagle Dance, vividly expressing the Tajik people's fervent yearning for freedom and their relentless pursuit of a better life.

"As we Tajik people live on the plateau like eagles, watching the eagles fly since childhood, we incorporate the movements into our own dances. Therefore, we Tajik people, like eagles, guard the borders of our motherland," said Baihetila Jumahan, a local dancer.

With a total length of 30 kilometers and more than 600 hairpin turns, the Panlong Ancient Road is famous for its dizzying turns and stunning scenery.

Located in the Kashgar region, the road looks like a huge dragon snaking across the Pamir Plateau. Also known as the Waqia Highway, this magical and heavenly road is a great choice for travelers from all over the world looking to take a self-driving tour.

Nowadays, relying on the road, the local area has vigorously developed the tourism industry, greatly increasing the income of local villagers.

"Many tourists come to the Panlong Ancient Road, to our Waqia Township. We take this opportunity to promote the development of cultural tourism industry through the culture of local minority ethnic group," said Duolaitiman Kaimike, a deputy to China's National People's Congress (NPC).

Tourists flock to Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County for unique scenery, cultural heritage

A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.

The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.

"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.

The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.

"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.

"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.

Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.

This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.

Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit