Night market tour featuring mouthwatering delicacies and vibrant entertainment is providing tourists an opportunity to explore the diverse culture in the ancient oasis city of Hotan in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, whiling bringing prosperity to locals.
Located in southern Xinjiang, Hotan City sits nestled against the Kunlun Mountains to the south and borders the vast Taklamakan Desert -- China's largest desert -- to the north.
Its unique climate and geography have given rise to a distinctive culinary culture -- everything can be grilled.
Every evening at 20:00, the bustling Hotan night market comes alive with sizzling grills, aromatic spices, and joyful crowds.
As China's National Day holiday approaches, the night market is once again experiencing a surge in visitors. Over 10,000 people now flood the market daily -- matching the peak numbers of the summer vacation.
Managed by a dedicated team, the market now hosts 236 permanent vendor stalls, directly and indirectly supporting over 1,000 jobs.
Jumai Abdughadir and his wife, Ayigamali Amat, has operated two food stalls at the night market for seven years, selling fragrant, steaming thin-skinned dumplings.
"At our busiest, we made over 3,000 yuan (about 422 U.S. dollars) in a single day. Now we enjoy a stable monthly income of around 15,000 yuan (about 2,109 U.S. dollars)," said Amat.
Fueled by Xinjiang's booming tourism industry, business has flourished. Last year, their hard work paid off: they purchased a spacious 100-square-meter apartment outright.
"In 2024, we bought our 100-plus-square-meter home outright. Look, this is our living room: spacious and beautiful. Through our own hard work, we've transformed our life. Now, our family of five live happily together," said Amat.
Their story is emblematic of a broader transformation. As the night market expands, it is creating stable, dignified employment for nearly 300 locals seeking work close to home, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"The night market not only widely employs local residents, but also prioritizes providing job opportunities for disadvantaged households, helping them embark on a path toward prosperity. To support vendors' growth, we have introduced targeted assistance policies, including rent reductions or waivers for those in financial difficulty," said Aikebaier Muhetaer, a manager of the night market.
Thanks to the night market, Amat and her husband aren't just getting by -- they're building the life they've always dreamed of.
"Next, my husband and I plan to keep improving our two stalls at the Hotan night market, attract more customers, and earn more money, with the goal of buying a car and taking our whole family on a trip together," said Amat.
Night market tour offers tourists opportunity to explore Hotan's diverse culture, brining prosperity to locals
