My name is Alimujiang Adili. I am from Atushi (Artux), Kezilesu (Kizilsu) Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture—a land embraced by the Kunlun Mountains, rich with the fragrance of fruits and the rhythm of folk songs. It was here that my musical dream took root.

At that time, I couldn't imagine that a boy from a small town in south Xinjiang would one day perform on China Central Television (CCTV)'s grand stage or even sing overseas. But in 2003, driven by my passion for singing, I passed multiple auditions for CCTV's music show The Same Song. I was 16 at that time.

The modern studio in Beijing and the artists on stage filled me with excitement. It was a destination I was determined to reach. "I love singing, I love the stage, and I love Beijing!" After that short trip to Beijing, I returned to Xinjiang to continue my studies. Three years later, opportunity knocked again: I was invited to participate in CCTV's talent show Super 6+1.

Sixteen days of intensive training, guidance from mentors and exchanges with fellow contestants gave me invaluable experience. Although I didn't win, the experience of a professional stage made my dream clearer. I told myself: "I must stay in Beijing!"

Thus began my life chasing dreams in Beijing. With no connections or resources, survival was the first challenge. After countless setbacks, I found work at the Beijing Xinjiang Plaza, a high-end hotel in Beijing where I had to greet the arriving guests. This job became my foundation in the capital, the steady ground that supported my dream. The hours were long, often from dawn to late night, but every hardship felt meaningful because of the dream I carried.

A turning point came in 2010 when I met my mentor, musician Saren Gaowa, known especially for performing traditional ethnic folk music. With her help, I formed the Harmony Voices band with four musicians from different ethnic groups. Just two months later, our band participated in CCTV's talent show Star Boulevard. We won several elimination rounds with our music that blended elements from different ethnic traditions, and came seventh in the finals. Under the spotlight, tears filled my eyes—four years of persistence had finally paid off. Performance opportunities began to pour in, allowing me to focus fully on music. But in 2012, our group faced a downturn. Shows dwindled; at one point, a full month went by without a single performance. I lived in a damp basement, my savings exhausted. Many nights, I wrestled with the thought of giving up. Yet a voice inside me insisted: "Every successful person faces setbacks—this is part of the journey."

The struggles and perseverance of artists I saw on TV became my inspiration. During my hardest days, my mother's homemade naan kept me going. I pretended to be fine during our calls, only to weep after hanging up. I couldn't cause worry to my family, nor could I let down all those years of effort.

Another opportunity arrived in 2014. My presentation of a famous song, Lift Your Veil, which blended Xinjiang folk rhythms with modern touches, gained widespread popularity. Seeking my own path, I eventually left the group and began performing solo.

In 2015, I released my first solo album, Singing the Youth Dance Song Again, and signed with one of Beijing's top cultural agencies. That summer, at a cultural gathering, I met Chen Ruijun, a construction firm official who had gone to support Xinjiang's development. He became both a mentor and a friend, introducing me to key figures in the cultural sphere and helping me realize that as a singer from Xinjiang, I also carried the mission of sharing its culture and promoting ethnic solidarity.

The year 2016 marked the brightest turning point in my life. During the Spring Festival, I performed at a Chinese New Year gala in Vancouver, Canada. Standing on stage in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, singing My Mother Is Called China, I felt the applause of fellow Chinese resonating with pride in our nation.

That year brought more performance opportunities—from commercial events to cultural exchanges—and my skills and vision grew. Even more wonderfully, I found love, got married, and welcomed a son, whose arrival gave me new purpose and motivation.

Under the guidance of renowned vocalists Yan Weiwen and Li Yueying, I spent a decade refining my craft. In recent years, I have released works like Beautiful Xinjiang, My Home, Let's Go to Xinjiang, and I'm Waiting for You in Xinjiang—the first two being original collaborations with Chen. With lively melodies and heartfelt lyrics, these songs depict Xinjiang's landscapes and the happiness of its people, and have become widely loved, conveying the region's charm and the power of ethnic unity.

My stage experiences have since grown richer—performing alongside nationally acclaimed artists, singing solo at the National Center for the Performing Arts and the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, appearing on CCTV and local television programs, and returning to Xinjiang to sing for my hometown. Each performance is an act of reverence, sharing the depth and beauty of ethnic music.

I once toured 38 cities with Yan, collaborating with 38 different symphony orchestras. I continue to explore new possibilities, fusing ethnic music with symphonic arrangements to create unique artistic experiences.

Looking back on my journey—from a small town in south Xinjiang to the country's capital, from working as a hotel greeter to becoming a singer—I have come to deeply understand that no step in life is ever wasted.

I am grateful for every experience and for every person who has helped me along the way. The guidance of my mentors, the support of my benefactors, the companionship of my family, and the encouragement of my fans—all have been the driving force behind my progress. Every drop of sweat and every tear shed on this journey has helped turn the gears of destiny forward; every moment of perseverance has brought my dream one step closer.

My dream of being a singer continues. Carrying both my passion for music and my mission to share Xinjiang's culture and promote ethnic unity, I will keep singing. Through my songs, I hope to convey beauty and strength, and to let more people hear the voice of Xinjiang and see the beauty of China.

Chen Ruijun's words 

My book, Xinjiang: Stories of Warmth and Hospitality, was born from the profound connection I developed while working in Xinjiang—a land that left me with a sense of both warmth and poignant longing. It documents the vibrant local culture I experienced firsthand and tells the stories of the genuine friendships I formed across ethnic and professional lines, friendships that continued to grow long after my official assignment ended.

These are narratives of mutual support and shared dreams, all woven into the larger tapestry of social stability and lasting harmony in our shared spiritual homeland. Xinjiang Today offers an ideal platform to share these authentic, touching stories with a global audience. I have reconnected with friends from the book and spoken with many new friends beyond its pages, gathering these simple yet meaningful accounts of connection, exchange and ethnic unity to share them.

Alimujiang's energy is as striking as his appearance.

When I first met him, there was a sense of familiarity—and for good reason. I recalled that he had once worked as a greeter at the Beijing Xinjiang Plaza, welcoming guests with a bright smile.

By the time we reconnected, he had already begun making a name for himself as a singer. The leap from hotel greeter to performer is not a small one, and it speaks to a truth I hold dear: Where there is a dream, there is a way.

But the "Beijing dream" or the "star dream" is no ordinary aspiration. For a young Uygur from Xinjiang, the path is often layered with unique challenges, complex and not easily navigable.

Alimujiang possesses a deep love for the stage. His voice carries an earthy authenticity—stark and full of passion. After signing with one of Beijing's top cultural agencies, he began performing across the country and released his first album, Singing the Youth Dance Song Again. Having served in Xinjiang, I feel a special understanding and affection for the region, and I made a quiet commitment to support his growth in any way I could.

I helped him build connections within the industry and provided assistance when he asked. Like many artists, he yearned for more than singing others' songs. He wanted original music that truly represented him. Such a pursuit requires not only talent but also strong backing and support. Alimujiang once wrote on social media: "Growing up is turning your sobs into silence; it's setting your emotions to vibrate." I think I understand what he meant. The journey to success is paved with hardships known only to the traveler.

One day, Alimujiang reached out with a melody. "Could you help me write the lyrics?" he asked. Moved by the tune's beauty, I wrote Beautiful Xinjiang, My Home for him. Recorded soon after, it became his first original hit—a song now performed on major stages and a staple in his repertoire. Not long after, we collaborated again on Let's Go to Xinjiang, a piece that has since played a meaningful role in cultural development within the region.

With the support of friends, Alimujiang continues to grow—both as an artist and as a person. He often says: "Never forget those who lifted you up when you were lost. Always remember their kindness. Never forget those who held an umbrella for you in the rain." I believe that Alimujiang, with his talent, his gratitude and his unwavering effort, will continue to move closer to his dreams.

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