Xinjiang coach passes on spirit of traditional Xibe archery

Within a year of training, Wu finished third at a regional competition using a modern recurve bow. But just as his career began to take off, an injury to his arm forced him to withdraw from the national selection for the eighth National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities.

"It was a hard moment, I thought I'd lost everything," Wu recalls. But instead of leaving archery behind, he found a new path.

Back home in the Xibe Ancient Town, a cultural heritage site showcasing the history of the Xibe people's westward migration and border defense, Wu began working as an archery coach for visitors.

"I grew up hearing my grandfather talk about how the old training ground for border soldiers was right beside the temple in the ancient town," he says. "When I shoot arrows here, it feels like a bridge across time."

Over the next decade, Wu immersed himself in traditional archery — crafting his own bows, mastering horseback shooting, and performing live demonstrations for tourists. His "hundred-pace archery" show became a must-see attraction, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the Xibe people's spirit of loyalty and perseverance.

As intangible-heritage tourism gained popularity, Wu opened a 300-square-meter archery club in Yining earlier this year, highlighting traditional bow culture.

Behind the targets, calligraphic characters reading "Loyalty, Righteousness, Courage and Respect" remind visitors that archery once served as both martial art and moral training. Membership titles such as "General of Loyalty" and "Commander of Force" add a playful touch for enthusiasts.

In addition to offering lessons, the club also provides bow repair, leather quiver making, and even traditional armor rentals for photo shoots.