Xinjiang's horse industry gallops with culture and tourism integration

In response, Yao outlined the association's roadmap for 2026: developing three new high-quality horse culture leisure tourism routes, deepening the integration of the horse industry with sports, tourism, and cultural industries, and establishing a three-tier competition system comprised of a national and international level, a Xinjiang-wide level, and a level for sub-areas within the autonomous region.

One of the key targets is to have participants in horse culture tourism activities account for more than 2 percent of the region's total tourist numbers. "Our fundamental goal is to empower farmers and herders as the primary participants and beneficiaries by transforming the vibrant horse racing culture into a powerful new engine driving sustainable cultural tourism development and enduring ethnic unity," Yao said.

Beyond economics, the industry plays a central social role. The various equestrian and cultural activities connected to ethnic groups in the region bring people together, creating a shared sense of community.