Homecoming fuels new futures

After studying and working elsewhere, Xinjiang youth are coming home to turn ideas into projects, shaping both city and community life, Meng Wenjie reports.

On Sept 14, eight people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups gathered at a studio in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, for a discussion titled "This is Possible Too". The session explored the many possibilities life offers, with each participant sharing personal experiences and insights.

The conversation was part of a series organized by OneSoul, an offline community platform in Urumqi that has become a vital space for young people in Xinjiang to reconnect with their roots.

"Our generation has often been encouraged to leave Xinjiang for more developed regions, and that mindset has deeply influenced many young people here," said Wang Zhaoyu, 27, founder of One-Soul.

After graduating from a university in Northeast China's Jilin province, however, Wang chose to return home. "It was only after leaving Urumqi that I truly understood how strong my bond with it is," he said.

The idea for OneSoul took shape in late 2022, when Wang planned to host a reading party on Jan 1, 2023, with the goal of "rebuilding face-to-face communication", he recalled.

"After I posted about it on Xiaohongshu (RedNote), the response was overwhelming," Wang said. He soon realized that many young people like him — those who had left and returned to Xinjiang — were searching for a community where they could support one another.

Since then, OneSoul has hosted more than 200 events. What began as a small gathering has grown into a broad range of activities, from open chats and movie screenings to academic exchanges.

The community now has over 1,500 members, mostly young people aged 18 to 35, many of whom have come back to Xinjiang after studying or working elsewhere.

Beyond regular events, Wang encourages members to share their skills and organize unique activities. For example, at the end of 2024, a member passionate about brewing led a group in creating craft beer. The beer was then officially released on Jan 1 this year to celebrate the community's second anniversary.

"I believe everyone has the potential to create something new," Wang said. "I started OneSoul because Urumqi didn't have a youth community like this, but for it to thrive, it needs everyone to contribute in their own way. Bringing like-minded people together is how we build something meaningful."

One of these creators is Li Jialin, a 32-year-old freelancer. Born in Urumqi, Li studied in Tianjin and later worked for an internet company in Beijing. After more than a decade away, she returned to Xinjiang in 2022.

"My mother was having health issues, and the high cost of living and work pressure in Beijing were becoming too much to handle," Li explained.

But settling back wasn't easy. "Xinjiang has changed a lot over the past decade, and many familiar places are gone," she said, adding that these changes left her feeling somewhat lost and uncertain.

It was through OneSoul that Li began to regain a sense of belonging. At her first event, she watched a girl with exaggerated expressions and playful gestures share her frustrations with her boss. The lighthearted, open atmosphere encouraged Li to speak up herself, helping her realize that her story — and her voice — could matter.

As she attended more events, Li gradually shifted from being a participant to a collaborator. She helped produce a documentary series, People Who Came Back, which tells the stories of young people returning to Xinjiang.

One moment stood out in particular: after an event, a girl approached her to say that Li's story on Xiaohongshu had resonated with her deeply.

"I never imagined that sharing my own experience could give someone else strength," Li said.