The Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area in the Old Town of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, home to more than 300 historical buildings, with over 20,000 traditional courtyards, offered job opportunities for locals at their doorstep by developing a "courtyard economy." Some residents set up dining tables under grape arbors, inviting tourists to bake Xinjiang's naan bread, while others offer unique local experiences in the "blue fairy tale town." One of the interesting customs that tourists can experience at the tourism area is to tint eyebrows using Usman grass, a traditional Xinjiang herb. Entizar Tayilijiang, a local resident, said that they have used Usman grass since childhood, and it helps eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair grow. Babies start using it just seven or 40 days after birth, she added. "As kids, we loved to draw connected eyebrows. Mothers believed the distance between the brows showed how far away their daughters would marry. They hope we will not marry someone who lives too far away," she explained. "Visitors' tickets often include these experience activities, so they can try this custom if they want. Sometimes, as many as 300 to 400 visitors come in a single day to experience it," said Entizar. Instead of large-scale commercial projects, the local government encourages residents to run their own spaces while maintaining their daily lives. "Welcoming tourists into courtyards to try different activities allows local residents to increase incomes," said Elyar Nurmamat, a tour guide at the tourism area. So far, cultural tourism has created over 3,000 direct jobs for locals, and offered work opportunities to another 20,000. SHOTLIST: Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China - Recent 1. Residents, tourists at Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area; 2. Flying birds; 3. Various of residential buildings; 4. Various of reporter learning to make Xinjiang's naan bread; 5. Various of reporter learning to dance; 6. Reporter talking with resident Entizar Tayilijiang about tinting eyebrows with Usman grass; 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Entizar Tayilijiang, resident (with reporter asking question): "We've used Usman grass since childhood, and it helps eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair grow." (Reporter: "You use it when you're a child?") "Babies start using it just 7 or 40 days after birth."; 8. Entizar squeezing Usman grass into liquid; 9. Entizar tinting reporter's eyebrows, reporter opening eyes, posing for photos; 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Entizar Tayilijiang, resident (with reporter asking question): "As kids, we loved to draw connected eyebrows. Mothers believe the distance between the brows shows how far away their daughters would marry." (Reporter: "Really? They hope you live nearby?") "They hope we will not marry someone who lives too far away. Visitors' tickets often include these experience activities. So, they can try this if they want. Sometimes, as many as 300 to 400 visitors come in a single day to experience it."; 11. Grapes; 12. Blanket; 13. Flower; 14. Reporter visiting tourism area; 15. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Elyar Nurmamat, tour guide: "Welcoming tourists into courtyards to try different activities allows local residents to increase incomes."; 16. Various of hats in ethnic style; 17. Various of residents making dessert, person recording dessert making process with cell phone; 18. Residents. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]