Intangible cultural heritage is a precious treasure of the Chinese nation and a vital source of cultural confidence. As a core region along the Silk Road, Xinjiang has nurtured a rich diversity of intangible cultural heritage.

The melodious tunes of the Twelve Muqam, the epic chanting of the Manas, the expansive atmosphere of long-song folk music, and the intellectual exchange of Akun Aitese... These precious cultural heritages carry the historical memories and spiritual aspirations of all ethnic groups.

Today, as modernization accelerates, intangible cultural heritage faces unprecedented challenges. Young people migrating for work, shifts in traditional lifestyles, and the aging of inheritors threaten to erase many precious crafts.

However, we also see hope. More and more young people are rediscovering and embracing their cultural heritage. Governments at all levels and social organizations are strengthening protection efforts, while digital technologies are opening new possibilities for the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage.

In the spring and summer of 2026, we embarked on a three-month field research journey, visiting intangible cultural heritage inheritors from four major ethnic groups across Xinjiang.

In the Old City of Kashgar, we met 12-year-old Ajmat Tursun, a successor to the Twelve Muqam. Every morning, he arrives promptly at his courtyard to tune his dutar and begin his daily practice. "The Muqam consists of 12 suites; each must be practiced. A full day's work takes 5-6 hours," he said. "I can't skip it—my hands will get rusty, and I'll forget the pieces."

In Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, we had the privilege of hearing 90-year-old Jusup Mamai recite the Manas epic. Despite his advanced age, his powerful voice was still deeply moving when he began to sing. "I started learning to sing the Manas at 8 years old and have been performing it for 77 years," he told us. "There are fewer and fewer people today who can recite the entire epic in full."

On the grasslands of Bayanbulug Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Mongolian singer Batel performed a long song. His soaring, melodious voice seemed to transport us across the vast plains. "The long song is the sound of the grassland," Batel said. "I hope it continues to echo across the land."

In the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, we witnessed a captivating akyn aytes performance. The two akyns improvised lyrics in a dynamic exchange, delivering witty verses that kept the audience applauding throughout.

The future of intangible cultural heritage lies in people, especially the younger generation. In recent years, diverse "intangible cultural heritage on campus" programs have been launched nationwide, giving young people close-up access to and understanding of these cultural traditions.

At No. XX Middle School in Urumqi, Twelve Muqam is a required part of the school curriculum. With two classes per week, students learn about the history and musical characteristics of Muqam and practice playing simple pieces. "It felt really hard at first, but I slowly started to love this ancient music," said Xiao Ming, an eighth-grade student.

In the Kashgar region, a youth intangible cultural heritage (ICH) study base has been established to regularly organize student visits to ICH workshops, hands-on traditional craft experiences, and face-to-face interactions with inheritors. "Letting children try it themselves is more meaningful than just listening," said the base director.

Universities are also taking action. Xinjiang University has launched programs in intangible cultural heritage studies to train specialized researchers and preservationists. Meanwhile, university volunteer teams have ventured into rural areas to assist inheritors in documenting oral histories and building digital archives.

"It warms my heart to see so many young people willing to learn and carry forward our culture," said Elder Ahmat Tursun. "With them, the Muqam will never be lost."