Ancient Kuqa City in northwest China's Xinjiang sees cultural tourism boom

China

Ancient Kuqa City in northwest China's Xinjiang sees cultural tourism boom

2025-09-12 13:36 Last Updated At：17:47

The ancient city of Kuqa in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is witnessing a tourism boom as renovation projects in the city over the past years have revitalized the local culture heritage.

Many tourists from across the country have been facinated by the unique music and dancing culture of the city dating back 2,000 years. The city had served as an important hub along the ancient Silk Road.

"Everyone is dancing with great excitement. We are completely immersed in it," said a tourist.

Amat, a local farmer who loves playing dutar and some other Uygur musical instruments, said tourism has brought new opportunities for his life.

Amat can earn 120 yuan a day by performing dutar to tourists. He has bought a sofa with the money earned by giving the performance.

The 67-year-old man said he had never imagined such a change of life before 2023 when the city launched a project to renovate old residential dwellings to develop tourism.

"These doors were locked before [the renovation] because there were no tourists here back then," said local official Abulikemu.

The renovation project awakened cultural treasures in the old alleys and provided stages for folk artists like Amat to present music and dancing performances.

Local residents even use family heirlooms as styling vintage decors for streets and alleys in the city.

"We delved into the local cultural characteristics [during the renovation project]. Residents also brought out family old items like plates for streets decoration. Many tourists come here to take pictures," said Pang Tao, deputy director of Kuqa Culture and Tourism Bureau.

In 2024, more than 9.3 million domestic tourists traveled to Kuqa, a year-on-year increase of 23 percent.

Cultural tourism is also thriving in many other parts of Xinjiang like Aksu, Tacheng where tourists flock to experience the special food, costume, architecture and performing arts.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.