Ancient Qiuci Alley winds its way to modern prosperity

Women empowered

Due to the renovation of the alley and tourism boost, women living in the area are enjoying greater opportunities. A workshop designed for women to incubate their businesses has been established in the alley.

Yang, the publicity officer, said the workshop aims to help women balance family responsibilities with financial independence. "In the past, many women in our subdistrict just stayed at home raising children," said Yang. "Now they can do both — earn money and support their families."

Nurgul Memet, a tailor with 28 years' experience, moved her shop from a nearby street to the new workshop in March.

The relocation has nearly doubled her income — from 15,000 yuan a month to nearly 30,000 yuan.

The 48-year-old recognized the financial prospects of rising tourist numbers. She employs and teaches about 50 local women how to make products such as dresses, hats and bags using Atlas silk, a traditional Uygur textile characterized by bright colors and exquisite intricate patterns.

"They can come anytime for training," she said. "After that, they can either work from home or at my shop. We calculate wages per piece, and some can earn up to 5,000 yuan a month."

Another business in the workshop is Ma Xiaoyan's intangible cultural heritage studio.

Ma wears a traditional qipao, and her studio is filled with over 80 different traditional handcrafted items — from embroidery and dyed fans to Atlas silk-related products, such as refrigerator magnets.

Tourists can purchase products and also learn how to make them under Ma's guidance, she said. The store's gift packaging are made of Atlas silk and features elements such as traditional kites and lotus patterns, blending the culture of Xinjiang with other regions. "I want to bring our traditional culture closer to more people," she said.