A New Wave in the Ancient River Valley: Unraveling Yining’s Cultural Confidence as a "Silk Road Hub"

Nestled in the Ili River Valley, where abundant water nourishes the vast grasslands, Yining is a flourishing oasis in the arid landscape of the northern Tianshan Mountains. This area, known as "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" for its prosperity and natural beauty, has long been a crossroads of cultures and trade. For centuries, people from diverse ethnic groups have come together here, creating a unique and vibrant cultural mosaic.

The Ili River flows through Yining, symbolizing the continuous stream of history and culture that shapes the city. As Yining embraces its heritage while fostering innovation, it stands as a shining example of cultural confidence in modern China.

Fostering Cultural Identity

At the Han Princess Memorial Hall in Yining, visitors walk along stone pathways and enter a space adorned with white walls and red gates, where they can revisit the stories of Princess Xijun and Princess Jieyou. These Han princesses, sent to marry leaders of the Wusun people over 2,000 years ago, brought with them the customs, traditions, and culture of the Central Plains, forging strong ties between the Western Regions and the central Chinese government.

The Ili River Valley has carried these cultural currents for millennia. Since the Han Dynasty established the Protectorate of the Western Regions, Ili has been an integral part of China’s territory. This historical connection has created a deep bond between the region and the Chinese nation.

From the eastward migration of the Turgut people to the westward migration of the Xibe people, Ili's history is filled with stories of ethnic groups displaying their loyalty to the country and their shared commitment to developing and defending the borderlands. These shared experiences have fostered a strong sense of cultural identity and patriotism that runs deep in the hearts of the local people.

As President Xi Jinping has said, "Cultural identity is the deepest form of identity; it is the root of national unity and the soul of ethnic harmony." In Yining, this cultural unity is evident in everyday life.

In the city’s Liuxing Street neighborhood, more than 10 ethnic groups, including Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, Russian, and Hui people, live side by side. Neighbors help one another, and bonds of friendship grow strong over time. For instance, Xibe resident Liu Lianzhi and his Russian neighbor Nikolai have become close friends. When Nikolai opened a bakery three years ago, Liu helped with the shop’s setup, from wiring to decoration. Nikolai often reflects on their friendship, saying, "We grew up together, and our neighborhood feels like one big family." Every year, during traditional festivals like Spring Festival or Eid al-Adha, the two families exchange greetings, share meals, and celebrate together.

This kind of cross-cultural interaction is a common sight in Yining. During festivals, the community comes together for shared feasts, where residents of all ethnicities gather to share food, perform traditional dances, and celebrate in harmony.

In early 2024, the first Ili River Lantern Festival was held alongside the 38th China Qinhuai Lantern Festival, drawing people from all ethnic groups to enjoy the traditional festivities. The shared celebration of Chinese culture strengthens the collective sense of pride and belonging.

As Lai Hongbo, an expert on local history, notes, "In Yining, people from different ethnic groups live together in harmony, fostering mutual understanding and a strong sense of cultural identity."

Driving Cultural Innovation

In Yining, culture is not just preserved but also continuously renewed. The city boasts a rich array of intangible cultural heritage, from Uyghur folk songs to Kazakh embroidery, Russian bayan music, Uzbek wedding customs, and the Xibe Golden Festival. These diverse cultural elements are a testament to the area’s vibrant heritage.

Yining has a long history of cultural innovation, with different ethnic groups drawing inspiration from each other to enrich their own traditions. For instance, Xinjiang University professor Wang Min notes that ethnic embroidery traditions in Yining, including those of the Uyghur, Mongol, Xibe, and Kazakh people, often share techniques with Suzhou embroidery from eastern China, while retaining their own unique artistic styles.

One local fashion designer, Sofiyan Kalai, has gained recognition for her work that blends Kazakh embroidery and Uyghur silk with modern fashion. Her designs are popular among local women for their unique mix of tradition and contemporary style.

Even the city’s ancient architecture has been rejuvenated through modern innovations. In Yining’s Kazanqi Historic District, the government has implemented a preservation strategy that combines public funding, community investment, and private capital to restore old buildings while integrating new, functional urban spaces. The result is a thriving district where tradition and modernity coexist, attracting both tourists and locals alike.

So far, over 300 historic buildings and nearly 20,000 traditional courtyards have been restored, with the local cultural tourism industry employing nearly 20,000 people. Other historic streets in Yining, such as Liuxing Street and Qianjin Street, have followed suit, transforming into vibrant cultural and tourism hubs.

Embracing Openness and Progress

Yining’s rich water resources have shaped its prosperity and openness. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, Yining flourished as a political, economic, and cultural center of Xinjiang. Historical records from the time describe the city as a bustling hub.

The city’s strategic location near the China-Kazakhstan border has long made it a key node on the northern Silk Road. Today, Yining continues to embrace its role as a gateway to Central Asia, actively participating in initiatives like the Belt and Road, and leveraging its geographic advantages to foster international trade and cooperation.

Yining is quickly evolving from a city with a “passage economy” to one with a “hub economy.” The city is expanding its trade routes and industrial capabilities by developing international transport corridors and launching cross-border e-commerce platforms.

In April 2024, Yining Airport opened its first international flight route, making it the third city in Xinjiang, after Urumqi and Kashgar, to establish an international air gateway. This new route creates fresh opportunities for China to expand its trade and cultural exchanges with the west.

With the rapid growth of industries like cross-border e-commerce, Yining is positioning itself as a key player in the global market. Li Hao, who has worked in foreign trade for over 20 years, now manages Yining’s cross-border e-commerce park. “This is a great place for foreign trade,” he says, noting that the park is currently training over 3,000 live-streaming talents to help local and international businesses thrive.

According to Yining customs data, the city engaged in trade with 180 countries and regions during the first half of 2024, with the number of trade partners increasing by more than 70% compared to the previous year.

With its deep cultural roots, innovative spirit, and commitment to openness, Yining is confidently embracing the future, continuing to write a new chapter in its development as a modern city with a rich historical legacy.