Branching out

Salamat Kari, who has made a niche for herself in her hometown of Kashgar, Xinjiang, used to be a tour guide at Kashgar Ancient City, a rammed-earth building complex with a history of 2,000 years.

After the complex was designated a leading national tourism attraction in 2015, growing numbers of visitors flocked to the venue. Salamat decided to run a homestay business, offering customers accommodations and food as well as singing and dancing performances in the scenic area.

Supported by the local government, she opened Gul's Home, a three-story homestay that occupies 500 square meters. Salamat posts videos on Douyin of the performances staged at the homestay, attracting more than 250,000 followers.

"Through entrepreneurship, my family is able to live a happy, prosperous life in our hometown," she said.