Road trips a route to prosperity

Bayanbulak's Baxilike village previously fell under the local government's official poverty line.

The settlement is only an hour's drive from the Dushanzi-Korla Highway, which is known for its beautiful scenery.

Baxilike became more prosperous after several local government departments launched products near highway driving routes in August 2017.

Many drivers visit to enjoy local fare and milk tea.

To date, 17 households have opened dining businesses. Some rake in 50,000 yuan ($7,940) a year.

Xinjiang will set up special teams to promote tourism-based poverty alleviation.

Agritourism, online sales of rural products, skiing and handicrafts are means to improve residents' livelihoods, the region's poverty-alleviation authority says.

Xinjiang welcomed a record 107 million tourists last year, a year-on-year increase of a third, Xinjiang regional government chairman Shohrat Zakir says.

Tourism spending increased by 30 percent to 182 billion yuan.

Local governments have deemed tourism as a pillar industry offering the greatest growth potential among sectors, a recent government work report says.

The report sets 30 percent growth as the goal for 2018.

Many of those who arrive in these locations and accelerate rural travel, indeed, will be drivers who seek adventure behind the wheel.