Xinjiang's appeal reaches wider audience

Storytelling, singing

Li Yan, a tourism specialist and instructor from Bortala Polytechnic in Xinjiang, received the prestigious Super Tour Guide award in the competition.

"As a teacher of tourism courses, I firmly believe that winning a competition is not the ultimate goal. It is my sincere commitment to share my experience with my students in the classroom, with the hope that, one day, they too will have the opportunity to shine on this very stage," Li says.

Li, 31, a graduate of Xinjiang University specializing in tourism management, has seamlessly transitioned between two professions: tour guiding and teaching.

During his second year at university, Li obtained a national intermediate tour guide certification. Following graduation, he embarked on a teaching career at Xinjiang's Kashgar Polytechnic.

After a few years of teaching, he made the decision to resign and pursue a career as a tour guide. In 2017, he achieved a national senior tour guide certification, further solidifying his expertise. Last year, he made another transition, becoming a full-time professional tourism instructor at Bortala Polytechnic.

In his final year of university study, Li undertook his longest tour as a guide, a 32-day excursion exploring both the northern and southern regions of Xinjiang. The group comprised more than 10 members, creating a memorable experience for everyone involved, he says.

Despite going through various career transitions, Li says he has remained true to his original goals. In his role as a teacher, he seamlessly incorporates his wealth of tour guide experience, which serves as a significant advantage in engaging and captivating his students.

As a testament to his teaching prowess, three of his students received first or second prizes in the Sayram Lake Cup Tour Guide Competition held in Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture.

This year, Li led his students to participate in the 2023 Xinjiang Vocational College Tour Guide Service Skills Competition, allowing them to deepen their understanding of the profession and further enhance their professional competence.

Li says he has noticed that competitions are an excellent way to learn and exchange ideas, as they provide opportunities to learn from other participants' presentations and gain insights from their strengths.

While participating in this year's Xinjiang Tour Guide Competition, Li also was praised for setting a great example for his students to follow. His remarkable level of commitment and preparation, reminiscent of the intensity seen in preparing for crucial exams, was noticed by other participants.

Li says that during the tour guide presentation segment, he innovatively incorporated a comedic storytelling style known as guankou, which is used in xiangsheng, or crosstalk, to deliver his tour guide narrative.

Crosstalk is a traditional and highly popular performing art in Chinese comedy. It is typically performed as a dialogue between two performers, but sometimes as a monologue by a solo performer.

"Turpan's grapes have more than 600 varieties, including seedless white, seedless red, rose fragrance, rose red …" His clear rhythm, precise pronunciation and seamless delivery in crosstalk-style narration left both the spectators and judges pleasantly surprised.

During the competition's talent showcase, Li performed a folk song from Xinjiang. "Maybe my singing wasn't particularly professional, but I wanted to create a good atmosphere and let the audience feel the joyous ambience," he says. "Through these Xinjiang songs, I aim to deepen visitors' understanding of Xinjiang's culture and art. Many lyrics also reflect the beauty of Xinjiang."

His extensive preparations and profound cultural knowledge, combined with his exceptional overall qualities, set him apart from the competition, observers noted. His outstanding performance earned him the coveted titles of Super Tour Guide and also the Best Interpreter.

Li says that a remarkable tour guide is not solely dedicated to their expertise; they also prioritize the satisfaction of their guests, so that they go the extra mile to deliver exceptional customer service, foster meaningful connections with travelers and create a lasting, positive impression.

"Sometimes, it is necessary to be humorous and evoke the emotions of the guests," Li adds.

"There are eight words on our tour guide certificate, 'Travelers are the priority, service is the foundation', and I firmly believe that providing exceptional service is crucial in the field of guiding," Li says.

A tour guide must possess a comprehensive skill set that extends beyond leading tours and providing explanations, he says.

"It involves having a solid knowledge base and the ability to engage with travelers through various means. By developing additional abilities and incorporating interactive elements into tours, guides can create a well-rounded and engaging experience for guests," he says.