In the lush valleys of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a golden revolution is underway – and it’s all about bees. Nilka County, nestled in the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, is turning its high-altitude meadows (averaging 1,800 meters!) into a honey hotspot, creating sweet opportunities for local residents.
🌼 Meet the Xinjiang black bees – one of China’s four major bee species – thriving among 270+ types of nectar sources. Think wild herbs, fruit blossoms, and medicinal plants. CGTN Digital reporter Li Yimei recently explored how these tiny pollinators are making a BIG impact: "It’s like nature’s own startup ecosystem," she says, describing families tending hives passed down through generations.
💡 Why this matters:
Rural incomes up 30% since 2020 through beekeeping cooperatives
New tech blends tradition with modern quality standards
Eco-tourism buzz: Visitors tour apiaries and taste hyper-local honey varieties
One beekeeper told Li: "Our honey carries the taste of Xinjiang’s mountains – now the world wants a spoonful." With e-commerce platforms buzzing, jars reach consumers from Shanghai to San Francisco.
📈 The bottom line: This isn’t just about sweetness – it’s a sticky-sweet model for sustainable rural development. Who knew saving bees could also save economies?
