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

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.

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

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

A promotional event for the English edition of the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday.

Participants at the event said the fifth volume reflects the latest achievements in the development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and serves as an authoritative work for the international community to understand contemporary China.

China has embarked on a new journey under its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), while Indonesia is steadily advancing toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. By strengthening strategic synergy and deepening development cooperation, the two countries will not only deliver tangible benefits to their people, but also inject strong momentum into the growth of the Global South and the improvement of the global governance system, they said.

At the event, the Chinese side presented copies of the book to Indonesian guests.

Experts and scholars exchanged views on topics including opportunities under China's 15th Five-Year Plan, common modernization and poverty alleviation experience.

Representatives from a training program for Indonesian village officials shared their experiences of studying and engaging in exchanges in China, as well as how they have applied what they learned from China to village governance.

The event was jointly organized by the State Council Information Office of China, the China International Communications Group, and the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia.

About 200 participants from China and Indonesia, including representatives from the publishing sector, think tanks and media, attended the event.

English edition of fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" promoted in Indonesia