When Zileyhan first heard of the factory job up north in Bole, she didn't hesitate to take the opportunity. The position, which paid over 5,000 yuan per month ($600), helped save the life of her mother, who fell gravely ill, and helped her father purchase the family's first automobile.

This is one of many stories in CGTN's exclusive documentary "Beyond the Mountains: Life in Xinjiang." Watch the full documentary here.