In the heart of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the once-isolated township of Daliyabuyi has emerged from the shifting sands as a symbol of progress. Once dubbed the 'last desert tribe,' its residents have transitioned to a modern settlement where children now access education without braving 10-kilometer desert treks.
'Our students used to arrive exhausted before lessons even began,' recalls Akramjan Arkin, principal of Daliyabuyi Primary School. 'Now they learn in connected classrooms with reliable meals – it's transformed their potential.'
The township's relocation in 2019 brought solar-powered infrastructure and internet access to the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Once-struggling families now watch their children master digital tools while preserving local traditions, creating a unique blend of heritage and innovation.
As afternoon sunlight filters through new school windows, the voices of young learners reciting lessons carry across revitalized community spaces – a soundscape marking Daliyabuyi's journey from survival to sustainable development.
