Boom time in the borderlands

Bogdal is about 60 kilometers from Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, which is known for its stunning views and rich biodiversity. The village also attracts tourists who opt for short trips to both destinations due to their proximity.

The village's face-lift is all due to a rural vitalization project that started in 2021.

Infrastructure has been fully developed, including sewage systems, roads and walls, all renovated with government funding. The village committee encourages residents to convert idle houses into homestays, and organizes activities to attract tourists.

"In the past, we used to wait for visitors; now they actively seek us out," says 50-year-old homestay owner Zhu Shengjuan.

She previously ran a beauty parlor in Wenquan county but in 2021, she decided to return and turned a backyard warehouse into three guesthouses. Confident in the village's tourism potential, Zhu invested over 1 million yuan ($140,311) last year to expand her homestay.

The county is known for its produce, including beef, mutton, cold-water fish and wild mushrooms. In the 38 homestays run by villagers, visitors can enjoy healthy and affordable food, including vegetables freshly picked from the garden.

Zhu says that the rural vitalization project includes professionals who design the interiors of homestays free of charge, with owners covering only the renovation.

"The biggest change is that our homestay has upgraded in scale, with chefs serving food, while in the past, we cooked for the tourists ourselves."