In Xinjiang, a popular scenic spot draws visitors, revenue

The Kazanqi folk tourism area, a popular scenic spot in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has received more tourists this year, significantly boosting incomes for residents.

Kazanqi has hosted more than 2.26 million tourists this year, driving revenue of 2 billion yuan ($274 million), said Sun Zhaoxing, deputy general manager of Ili Cultural Tourism Industry Group Co.

The Kazanqi tourism area, featuring Uygur people's folk customs, is located in the old city of Ili in Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture. There are more than 20,000 households and 120,000 residents from various ethnic groups living in the area. The long-standing integration of different groups has made it a distinctive multi-ethnic area with diverse culture.

Some 88 families in the area have turned their residences into tourist sites by renovating their houses and becoming places where tourists can learn about the culture.

Together with dozens of homestays and specialty product shops, they directly employ more than 3,000 people and create employment of another 10,000 in peripheral industries.

Watch the video for a quick look at Kazanqi.