Foreign students fall in love with Yining through study and life

Iliasov Nail Ramazanovich (third from right) and his classmates visit the Alexander accordion collection hall on Liuxing Street in Yining City, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on May 15, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Song Weiguo)

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Song Weiguo) news: On the evening of May 18, 2026, Iliasov Nail Ramazanovich, an international student from Kyrgyzstan, walked out of his university campus with three of his roommates from Kazakhstan and headed to a beef noodle restaurant in Yining city.

"Today is my 18th birthday. A toast to our student life in Yining," Nail said, raising his teacup with a bright smile.

In October 2024, Nail came from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to study at the School of Chinese Language and Literature of Yili Normal University. After nearly two years of study, he has become fluent in Chinese.

When Nail's grandfather was young, he traveled between China and Kyrgyzstan, bringing back a wide range of Chinese goods. Chinese-made products were both affordable and of good quality, and they were very popular among local people in Kyrgyzstan.

Nail's father is a boxer. He once won a championship at a competition in Hainan Province in south China. A photo of him receiving the award and his medal still stand in the most prominent place in the family's home.

"Ever since I was little, I heard my grandfather and father talk about their experiences in China. I always wanted to come to this land. So I did not hesitate to choose to study in Yining," Nail said.

When he first arrived, the city quietly won him over.

The weather is mild, with clear changes between seasons. The local food is rich in flavor and never gets boring. The rivers and mountains left a deep mark on him. And the kindness of the people in Xinjiang made him feel at home.

From the campus to the neighborhood streets, from local eateries to scenic spots, he found more reasons to like the city at every turn.

That feeling only grew when he joined other international students on a visit to the Ili River scenic area and the Liuxing Street. There, they got a real sense of Yining's cultural heritage and its vibrant city life.

Standing by the Ili River, they watched the setting sun turn the water a warm golden color. Birds skimmed across the surface, and visitors strolled slowly along the bank. Nail and his fellows took out their phones and kept capturing the scene.

"I have seen many rivers, but the sunset on the Ili River is one of a kind," he said. "It is gentle yet powerful, and it brings me a sense of calm."

At Liuxing Street, the students lingered among the traditional houses, the melodious sound of accordions, and the lively, bustling alleyways.

Inside the Alexander accordion collection hall, hundreds of accordions from different eras and in different styles amazed them. The performance by a local band drew rounds of applause. The students swayed and hummed along with the joyful music, experiencing the beauty of cultures blending together.

"Yining has a quiet and comfortable local life, but it is also open and welcoming," Nail said. "It reminds me of my hometown, yet it has its own unique charm."

During his time as a student, he and his classmates have tried samsas, pilaf and yogurt. Every new taste and every new view has become a treasured memory.

He has also made short videos of his daily life in Yining and sent them to his family and friends back in Kyrgyzstan. Through these videos, he introduces them to Xinjiang's food, its landscapes and its friendly people.

Zhang Yachun, an international student advisor at the School of Chinese Language and Literature, said the college currently has 72 international students and exchange students from four countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

In their free time, the students visit local markets, tour scenic spots and take part in cultural activities. They also share their daily lives on social media, helping to tell real and vivid stories about Xinjiang to people overseas.

Nail said he will continue to study hard and share what he has seen and experienced in Yining, as well as the true beauty of Xinjiang, with more people.

"The teachers here are very patient. The students are very friendly. No matter what problems we face, everyone is always ready to help. My classmates and I have all fallen in love with this place," Nail said.

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