Published on: 2026-07-06
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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“Country Walk” (“a walk in the countryside”) is a new tourism trend among foreign guests of China. Yasir Habib Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Association for International Relations and Media Studies, spoke about his visit to the Simen village in the city of Turpan in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and shared his impressions.
For over two thousand years, Xinjiang has remained an important hub of the Silk Road and a center of bustling trade. Today, a new model of economic development is emerging in the region’s rural areas, providing local residents with sustainable sources of income. In the village of Simen, rural guesthouses and family-run mini-hotels are actively developing. The residents successfully take advantage of new opportunities by attracting tourists with beautifully decorated homes that themselves vividly reflect local traditions, cultural heritage, and lifestyle.
This new economic model fully aligns with China’s rural revitalization strategy, aimed at reducing the gap between urban and rural areas and creating sustainable opportunities for rural development. Local residents are receiving the changes with great enthusiasm.
Rural guest estates and family-run mini-hotels maintain a high level of service. In the spacious yard of one such house, Yasir Habib Khan and his companions sampled a generous treat prepared by the hostess: dried fruits, fresh agricultural products, and ice cream, as well as watched performances featuring traditional songs and dances. According to the hostess, during the peak tourist season, the family’s monthly income can reach 25,000 yuan.
Today, in many regions of China, converting private homes into restaurants or guesthouses has become a popular entrepreneurial activity. This model allows tourists to immerse themselves more deeply in the local culture, to get acquainted with traditional cuisine, customs, and everyday life of the population, which is impossible in typical hotels.
On a global scale, this type of tourism based on the use of private homes is also part of the sharing economy. China’s rural revitalization strategy gives this trend special significance: it is not only about economic growth but also about hope for the future of rural areas. In the village of Simen, there is a genuine sense of collective pride. The local residents are confident that they can build their future on their native land.
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