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Across China: Villagers in NW China's Gansu turn camels into cash cows

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E-mail Xinhua, February 06, 2024

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by Xinhua writers Yuan Quan and Jia Zhao

LANZHOU, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Against the sunset backdrop on the snow-covered dunes, a line of camels stood as silhouettes, their bells reverberating through the desert, evoking the grandeur of the ancient Silk Road from 2,000 years ago until the illusion was shattered by a traffic signal featuring a camel symbol.

Red camel signifies "stop," while green indicates "go." The installation of a dozen "camel traffic lights" at the Mingsha Mountain and Yueya Spring, a scenic spot surrounded by sand dunes in northwest China's Gansu Province, garnered widespread media attention in 2023. Originally designed to alleviate traffic congestion in the desert, these unique traffic lights have unintentionally become a popular tourist attraction as visitors are fascinated by how camels adhere to "traffic rules."

Wang Youxia, deputy general manager of the company responsible for the scenic spot's operations, said that last year, the tourist influx at this place exceeded 3.7 million, with 42 percent opting for camel rides. Since December 2023, visitor numbers have witnessed a notable surge of 22.6 percent compared to the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak.

The substantial increase in tourist arrivals has resulted in significant revenue for local camel herders, and Zhao Wenlong is among those who have benefited from this tourism growth.

The 42-year-old Zhao is an experienced camel breeder from the Yueya Spring Village, who currently has 21 camels.

In the 1990s, before the establishment of the scenic area, only a few farmers in the village were engaged in camel husbandry. Locals used to rely on apricot cultivation as their main source of livelihood. However, due to the village's proximity to the desert, farmland would often be engulfed by sandstorms, resulting in bad harvests and low income.

"Our village was so poor that there was barely any girl willing to marry young men from here," the village head Qin Zuotao recalled.

Today, the rapid development of tourism has sparked hope for prosperity among local villagers. They are venturing into the camel walking business in the scenic spot.

Recreational activities for tourists initially revolved around photography on camelback but gradually included short camel rides. They have now transformed into one-hour camel trekking in the desert.

A regular camel trek is priced at 100 yuan (about 14 U.S. dollars), with the camel owner earning 70 yuan. In the peak season of summer, the scenic area can accommodate approximately 2,000 camels dedicated to tourism, with each camel undertaking three treks.

The camel ride has gradually emerged as the pillar industry in the village. Qin said that 80 percent of the village's 274 households are involved in camel-related tourism.

In a way, locals have turned their camels into cash cows and the competition has intensified as well. To ensure fair working and resting time for each camel, the village has decided to issue camel licenses.

The scenic area has offered camel herders training on visitor reception protocols and emergency handling procedures. They also learn to speak basic English for better communication with foreign tourists.

Over the years, Zhao has accumulated valuable experience in sustaining and growing his business.

For example, he bought two rare camels from the market; one white and the other exhibiting variegated colors. He made the decision to purchase them after discovering that some visitors were drawn to taking camelback selfies with the animals boasting beautiful fur.

Besides, concerned that the vivid colors of tourists' clothing might startle the camels, Zhao often hangs bright banners in the camel enclosures to acclimatize the animals to these hues. "The safety of camels ensures the safety of tourists," Zhao explained.

His family earns an annual income of 500,000 yuan through camel riding, but the amount of money he spends on his camels exceeds 100,000 yuan per year.

He never compromises when it comes to taking care of these animals. In the summer months, Zhao provides camels with nutritious feed and fresh fruit to help them cool down. He also takes them to the vet for annual physical examinations.

"They are like family to me," Zhao said. Enditem