Cotton Field Fashion Shows and Folk Dances Boost Autumn Tourism in Xinjiang
Fashion shows in cotton fields and communal dances among autumn trees are bringing new life to tourism in Awat County, in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The events have attracted visitors during a period when the county would normally experience a post-holiday slowdown in tourism.
Awat County, in Aksu Prefecture, is known as China’s “cotton capital” and a heartland of Dolan culture. Dolan traditions are widely recognized for Muqam, a distinctive form of traditional music with a passionate rhythm, as well as the energetic communal folk dances performed to its accompaniment.
With the cotton harvest in full swing, the county hosted a fashion show in a local long-staple cotton field. The garments on display were made from locally produced fabrics and incorporated distinctive regional cultural elements, impressing visitors who had travelled to attend the event.
Cotton cultivation also plays an important role in Turkmenistan’s agriculture, supplying raw material for the textile industry. As in Xinjiang, the crop is linked not only to agricultural production but also to the development of processing and finished-goods manufacturing.
“These garments are stylish and attractive. There is also a wide array of creative home textile products on display, all crafted from long-staple cotton,” said Zhou Yuru, a tourist from Sichuan Province in southwest China.
Awat’s poplar forest is another popular destination for autumn visitors. During the season, the trees’ colorful leaves create striking scenery, with their reflections visible in the shallow water beneath them.
A cultural event held in the forest attracted more than 1,000 local residents from different ethnic backgrounds, along with visitors from across the country. Dressed in traditional attire, residents joined hands with tourists to take part in lively music and dance performances.
“The beautiful autumn scenery was refreshing and uplifting. My teammates and I couldn’t help dancing along with the music,” said He Mei, a visitor from Hubei Province in central China.
According to CCTV+, local culture and tourism departments expect the peak travel season in Awat County to extend by about one month, lasting through mid-November, as demand for autumn sightseeing and cultural tours continues to grow.
