Across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, homestays are becoming engines of rural growth. Relying on striking landscapes and diverse ethnic traditions, places such as the ancient city of Kashi have developed distinctive models that combine lodging with intangible cultural heritage experiences, winter tourism and local cuisine. These approaches allow many homestays to operate throughout all four seasons, expanding employment opportunities and raising villagers’ incomes.

In the first half of 2025, as household incomes continued to rise and travel demand became more diverse, Xinjiang’s homestay sector moved further toward branded, higher-quality development, turning cultural charm into lasting economic vitality. (Photos via VCG)