In northwest China's Xinjiang, a former herding village in the Bayanbulak Scenic Area is trading livestock for tourism. Local herders have sold their yaks to open boutique homestays, preserving traditional yurt exteriors while adding modern comforts such as heating and running water. Others have joined the area's equestrian team, earning up to 60,000 yuan per person a season. Young herders can now work as dancers in the scenic area. Once measured by flock size, prosperity here is now counted in guests' smiles – turning the grassland's green into gold.