As the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region marks its 70th founding anniversary in 2025, a Gen-Z man from Hotan, known online as "Thick-Browed Adash," or the Uygur term for "friend", is using short videos to showcase his beloved hometown. "Some people are unaware of the real situation in Xinjiang and hold biases,” he says. “I want to break their misconceptions."

Through his lens, viewers discover unique local traditions: naan bread larger than a face can be stored for a month; the Usman herb, passed down through generations by the Uygur people, helps grow thick, lush hair; and oases flourish in the desert.

With humor and passion, he shows the world a real Xinjiang—from the shimmering Atlas silk and soulful dutar melodies to the bustling Grand Bazaar... and above all, the burning dreams of its young people. （Wei Chenxi, Xue Lingqiao）