[CCTVMEDIUM NEWS BY Jennifer] YINING, Xinjiang, Aug. 17, 2025 — A delegation of overseas Chinese media representatives visited the Liuxing Street Folk Culture District in Yining this week as part of the 2025 Overseas Chinese Media Tour of Xinjiang. The visit highlighted the district’s historic significance and ongoing efforts to preserve and promote local cultural heritage, including the Alexander Accordion Collection Museum.
Liuxing Street, first planned in 1934, forms the core of Yining, a city designated as a National Historic and Cultural City. The district, structured in a hexagonal layout created by six main streets radiating from three central roads, is recognized at the regional level as a historic and cultural block. It is home to a diverse population, including Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, and Russian residents.
In recent years, Liuxing Street has been developed into a cultural and tourism hub. The Alexander Accordion Collection Museum, which houses more than 100 bayan accordions, has become a focal point. The collection is intended to preserve the musical traditions of the Russian community in Xinjiang and to illustrate the broader cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. During the visit, members of the media observed tourists engaging with the instruments and participating in demonstrations.
The district also features small-scale businesses that contribute to its cultural economy. Among them are the Gulandam handmade ice cream shop and Lyuba’s artisanal bread bakery, both of which have become popular stops for visitors. Public spaces, such as music corners, flower-lined alleys, and creative markets, provide performance venues for local artists.
According to official tourism data, Liuxing Street received 4.2 million visitors in 2023, generating 2.85 million yuan (approximately CAD 530,000) in tourism revenue. Local authorities report that upgrades are ongoing to enhance infrastructure and improve the visitor experience. Plans include further positioning the district as a “Town of Music” and “Town of Flowers” to attract both domestic and international tourists.
Members of the overseas Chinese media delegation noted the district’s role in showcasing ethnic diversity and its integration of historic preservation with tourism development.
