A Sea of Red Chillies
If you thought Xinjiang’s Gobi Desert was all sand dunes, think again! This year, Turpan’s fields have sprouted a dazzling crimson carpet of chili peppers. Under the blazing sun, endless rows of scarlet pods glisten like rubies across the arid landscape—an unforgettable sight that’s gone viral on social media. 🌶️
Nature’s Perfect Drying Room
Turpan’s secret? Over 3,000 hours of sunshine and almost zero rainfall each year create ideal conditions for drying chilies naturally. Local farmers lay their harvest out on expansive flatlands, turning the Gobi into a real-life spice gallery. ☀️🚚
Spicy Boost for the Local Economy
As truckloads of fresh chilies roll out daily, traders from across the Chinese mainland flock to buy big batches. This booming chili business is creating new jobs, from field hands to transport drivers, and pumping fresh energy into rural economies. 💼
Rural Revitalization in Red Hues
Beyond the Instagram-worthy views, this chili wave is helping Turpan’s villages thrive. Farmers are reinvesting their earnings in schools, roads and innovative drying techniques. That means the next generation gets to grow up with better opportunities—all thanks to a little spice. 🔥
Next time you reach for hot sauce, remember it might just have traveled from the Gobi’s red runway in Xinjiang! 😋
Reference(s):
Chili harvest paints a 'red carpet' on Xinjiang's Gobi Desert
cgtn.com
