At the foot of the Nanshan Mountains in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local musician Zhou Cheng has created a homestay and a campsite that blend music to help guests discover an ideal lifestyle.
At the homestay and the campsite he runs, the strumming of guitar folk songs by the campfire and the rhythmic beats of handpan drums under the night sky have become the signature sound. Visitors from near and far can experience not only the serenity of the starry skies after a day of hiking, but also feel the warmth of these campfire sing-alongs and impromptu late-night jam sessions.
"Nanshan is often referred to as 'the back garden of Urumqi.' As a native of Urumqi, after graduating from university, I decided to establish the first homestay in Nanshan when permission to run such businesses was granted. As for the name, 'Le' reflects my passion for music, while 'Ye' (meaning 'wild open space') symbolizes my hope that like-minded friends can come together in this space to relax and have fun," Zhou said.
As Xinjiang is renowned for its rich musical heritage, with a long tradition of songs and dances, Zhou often hosts parties and small bonfire gatherings, inviting local ethnic artists to perform at his homestay.
"After establishing the 'Leye' Homestay, we have created many songs. The homestay itself feels like a blessed place. The song 'From Today On,' which I composed, was ranked among the Top Ten Songs of the Year at the NetEase Cloud Music Original Festival. In 2019, I composed the official promotional song for the tourism project 'Xinjiang is a Nice Place,' featuring the handpan," said Zhou.
He noted that he frequently encountered challenges in songwriting, and during such times, he would often camp in the mountainous areas with his friends to seek inspiration. Over time, their shared passion for camping led them to the idea, "Why not establish a campsite?" Consequently, in 2022, they founded the "Yeluzi Camp."
"The campsite is very different from the homestay, which focuses on a comfortable indoor experience, while the campsite, set in the great outdoors amid nature, offers an entirely different feeling," Zhou said.
Zhou said he hopes his guests can escape the pressures of work and discover an ideal lifestyle there.
"Look, there are children playing on the swings. Despite the heavy snow, we hope these kids have a place to have fun here. This is the way life should be lived — not stressing out, feeling pressured by work, or worrying about money. This is the kind of life we should have," he said.
Zhou said his favorite spot at the campsite is the bubble houses. Whenever it rains or snows, he enjoys playing instruments, singing songs, and drinking tea with his friends and guests.
"Music is perhaps the most important thing in my life. Without the influence of music, there would simply be no 'Leye' Homestay or 'Yeluzi' Camp. We hope to continue our musical journey for many more years to come," Zhou said.
Xinjiang musician creates "utopia" to guide guests in discovering ideal lifestyle
