Women dance to celebrate Corban Festival in Hami, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept 24, 2015. [Photo/iyaxin.com]

CELEBRATE WITH A HAN FRIEND

Nurbiyam, 39, a Uygur woman in Kashgar, said all the men in her family will go to attend the morning prayer service in the Id Kah Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the region.

The mosque attracted about 100,000 muslims from across Xinjiang during the festival last year.

Nurbiyam and her husband have seen a rush of business at their traditional Uygur clothing store as the festival approached, she said.

Their partner Zhou Weiqing, a Han man who helps produce the clothes in south China's Guangzhou Province, sent 3,000 yuan (470 U.S. dollars) as a gift for her children during this year's festival.

"I have invited him to come to Kashgar and celebrate the Corban Festival with us," Nurbiyam said.

TOURIST PARTICIPATION

At Chen Liang's youth hostel, the beds are overflowing with travellers for the festival and tourists visiting old town.

"The hostel has become increasingly crowded and some people have even had to camp in the yard," he said.

In the festive spirit, Chen said he'll buy a lamb to boil and share with guests.

"Last year, 55 people staying in the hostel shared a lamb during the Corban Festival," he said.

Jan Hofen, 27, is among those celebrating the festival in Kashgar's old town.

"I heard about terror attacks in the area, but I still chose to come. I find Kashgar safe and my friends to visit," he said.