Xiamier said that he sometimes misses the stage — the spotlight, the energy, the audience. "But life now is also full of meaning," he said. "I meet people from all over China — some are curious about Tajik customs, others are fascinated by the structure of our old houses, or the intricate wood carvings. Many say it reminds them of their childhood."

In the evenings, the guesthouse comes alive with laughter, music, and dancing. Xiamier, once a professional performer on national stages, now plays traditional instruments he taught himself — rabab and eagle flute — and invites guests to join in. The warmth of the room, bathed in amber light, becomes a space of connection: between past and present, tradition and reinvention, guest and host.

wuxiaohui@chinadaily.com.cn