Summary of Key Points
From the perspective of a "city wanderer," the author documents various fragmented aspects of tourism consumption in Xinjiang: the decline in the occupancy rate of homestays compared to the rise in camping with new energy vehicles, the shift away from online platforms due to a return to offline consumption, the entrepreneurial awareness of Xinjiang's children during the summer vacation, the dual-edged impact of becoming popular on social media platforms like REDnote, and the appeal of Yining as a place for young people to settle down and enjoy a slower lifestyle. These elements together reveal Xinjiang's unique consumer ecosystem—one that retains the local way of life while also experiencing new changes amidst the tourism boom.
Detailed Analysis
1. Homestays on the Decline vs. Camping with New Energy Vehicles: The Contrast in Tourism Accommodation
This year, homestay owners in Xinjiang are generally worried: a homestay that costs millions to set up, with rooms priced at 600-1100 yuan per night during peak seasons, often has only a few guests, and its occupancy rate has halved compared to last year. The reasons are straightforward:
- High Consumption Threshold: Xinjiang is already a high-cost tourist destination, and fewer people are coming;
- Camping as an Alternative: Self-driving tourists prefer to camp in their new energy vehicles (many of which come with camping facilities), filling the parking lots around Saimumu Lake with cars from all over. People gather by the lake to eat hot pot and walk their dogs, creating a kind of mobile community;
- Difficult Access to Attractions: Popular spots like Duku Highway and Nalati require reservations, and tourists who fail to secure tickets don't even stop in the small towns along the way.
How appealing is camping with new energy vehicles? A small wooden cabin by Saimumu Lake costs 4000 yuan per night, while camping only requires spending 60 yuan on a second-hand blanket on REDnote and 50 yuan on a mattress—less than one-tenth of the cost. On REDnote, you can also get camping equipment for free, reminiscent of the vintage concept of the sharing economy.
2. The Return to Offline Consumption: The Internet Is Not a Must-Have Here
In Yining, the author finds that bypassing online platforms can be more economical:
- Ride-hailing Disappointments: A 1.4-kilometer ride costs 9 yuan according to Didi, but actually costs 27 yuan, similar to buying something from a blind box; taxis are the locals' preferred option due to their transparent and lower prices;
- Better Offline Shopping: A hardware store owner recommends a fruit knife for 4 yuan, which is much sharper than a 13-yuan one bought through Meituan Delivery; booking directly at the homestay allows you to choose your preferred room type and negotiate the price;
- The Slow Pace Over Efficiency: Local restaurants don't aim to operate around the clock (for example, the popular noodle shop in Yining is only open at noon). Choosing a restaurant offline is faster than using app reviews—algorithms might offer 100 options but leave you struggling for half an hour.
3. Xinjiang Children's "Summer Vacation Business Plans": Innate Entrepreneurship
Xinjiang children's entrepreneurial instincts are evident in every tourism scenario:
- What to Sell? Chocolate for 10 yuan, guided tours for 30 yuan, photo sessions with lambs for 10 yuan, or horse riding services for 80 yuan per hour (higher than many adults' hourly wages);
- Amazing Sales: Some children generate over 20,000 yuan in sales during the summer, aiming to save money for a gaming phone;
- Not for Livelihood: Many children come from wealthy families (for instance, those from herding families may own more than 20 horses, each worth 20,000-30,000 yuan), but they are proactive in selling their services. They might call a 40-year-old man "big brother" or compliment an older aunt, using emotional value to persuade tourists to pay—these business tactics are even more sophisticated than those of adults.
4. The Dual Edge of REDnote: Influencer Check-ins and Knowledge-Based Paid Services
REDnote has changed the way people travel in Xinjiang, but it also brings contradictions:
- Influencer Overcrowding: Small, obscure valleys and ordinary restaurants are turned into tourist hotspots, attracting crowds; even markets have designated "influencer check-in spots." A video of "pulling onions from the ground" costs 289 yuan, similar to taking photos at a regular scenic spot entrance;
- Popularity of Knowledge-Based Paid Services: Reservations for Xinjiang museums are hard to get, but 680-yuan guided tours fill up quickly. Professor Mengman's YouTube video about the Gedeng Stele gained 100,000 views, boosting this border attraction despite weak tourism;
- Local Concerns: "Don't turn the market into a tourist hotspot that drives up prices," local users complain on social media. However, ethnic minority owners simply put up signs saying "Influencer Restaurant"—they focus on attracting customers first, regardless of criticism.
5. Yining as a Place for Young People to Settle Down: The Healing Power of a Slower Lifestyle
Yining has become a popular destination for young people:
- Livable Conditions: With a 40% green coverage rate (it's no exaggeration to call it the "Jiangnan outside the Great Wall"), a two-bedroom apartment rents for 20,000 yuan per year, and the pace of life is so slow that spending the afternoon in a coffee shop reading a book is perfectly normal;
- The Appeal of a Different Lifestyle: Many people come from cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou, tired of the fast pace of urban life; others, after staying for a while, want to return (for example, homestay owners sell their businesses to move back to Shanghai). Humans are always searching for a balance between "escape" and "return";
- The Magic of Coffee Shops: An old coffee shop that avoids becoming a tourist hotspot has become a spiritual haven for residents. Some people write letters to express their gratitude, while others find solace there. This sense of being accepted is more appealing than any scenic spot.
These fragmented experiences together paint a real picture of Xinjiang's consumer landscape: it embraces new changes brought by tourism while preserving the local way of life—a slower, more authentic approach that may be the true essence of its consumer culture.