Another surprise

The group moved to Gaojiahu village in Barkol Kazak autonomous county. The hamlet, with a population of barely 200 people, is right in the heart of Gaojia Lake Wetland.

Located 20 kilometers from the town of Barkol, the wetland covers a total area of 59,400 hectares and is one of the region's breeding and stopover sites for migratory birds.

Following the development of the wetland into a national 4A-level tourist attraction, most of the villagers' homes have been transformed into guesthouses and restaurants to accommodate the influx of tourists.

According to Liu Xuehua, an official from the Publicity Department of the Hami Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China and coordinator of the event, the scenic area attracted nearly 350,000 tourists from January to August, generating an operating income of nearly 3 million yuan ($420,000) and establishing the village as a popular tourist destination.

The group members were accommodated in two of the village's homestays. They were soon drawn outside to the plank trails that wind through the wetland surrounding the village, enticed by the calls of common cranes flying overhead.

It was the peak of the autumn migration season for many waterbirds. Thousands of common cranes, ruddy shelducks, and several species of geese gathered to feed on the newly harvested wheat fields around the wetland, moving from one patch to another. Consequently, the airspace above the wetland was bustling and quite noisy.

The photographers quickly dispersed across the wetland, each finding their own unique angles. Dai Jianfeng embarked on a long trek through the wetland without his cameras.

"Gaojia Lake Wetland is a perfect place for drone aerial photography," he said. "For us astrophotographers, the light pollution around the village might be a bit intense. But in such a beautiful place, I can temporarily forget my work and simply enjoy myself."

Wang Junfeng borrowed a threewheel motorcycle to explore the scenic area, searching for ideal locations for livestreaming and nighttime observation. At a crossroads near the wetland's parking area, he encountered a local farming family sun-drying wheat on the paved road.

The wheat on the road formed a golden heap, creating a striking contrast with the lush green wetland and the distant snowcapped mountains. Wang captured the scene with his mobile phone, taking photos and short videos.

"Today is the country's 8th Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival," he said. "I think I've found an interesting angle to salute the festival."

With his keen sense as an online influencer, Wang's short videos on the subject quickly gained traction, climbing onto the hot search lists of several social media platforms.