In the snow-blanketed valleys beneath western Tianshan Mountains, a centuries-old tradition undergoes remarkable economic transformation. Zhaosu County, nestled within Xinjiang’s Ili River Valley, has successfully redefined the role of horses in its regional economy as traditional functions faded into obsolescence.
The region, historically celebrated for its legendary ‘Tianma’ (heavenly horses) and strategic position along the Grassland Silk Road, faced economic challenges as modernization rendered equine transport and military applications increasingly irrelevant. Rather than allowing this cultural cornerstone to diminish, local authorities implemented a comprehensive strategy to reinvent the animal’s economic value through diversified applications.
By late 2025, Zhaosu maintained approximately 122,300 horses within a broader regional population exceeding 500,000—representing nearly one-seventh of China’s total equine population. This substantial herd now serves revamped purposes across multiple sectors including recreational riding, competitive sports, and specialized breeding for dual-purpose milk-and-meat production.
The county established sophisticated infrastructure including state-owned breeding farms, artificial insemination networks, and Xinjiang’s inaugural performance-testing center specifically designed for sport- and leisure-oriented breeding programs. A advanced equine hospital featuring operating theaters, serology laboratories, and molecular diagnostics facilities represents China’s veterinary cutting-edge, collaborating with prestigious institutions including China Agricultural University.
Competitive events have flourished, with over 420 races and equestrian competitions hosted since 2021. The internationally recognized Super Derby International Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road attracted participants from multiple nations including the United States, Italy, and Spain, featuring routes extending 500 kilometers.
Tourism integration has proven particularly successful, with seasonal spectacles like summer’s ‘horses bathing in the river’ and winter’s ‘heavenly horses treading snow’ generating substantial visitor numbers. The county welcomed approximately 9.4 million tourists in 2025—remarkable figures for a region with under 200,000 permanent residents.
Downstream economic diversification includes biotechnology ventures processing horse fat into cosmetics and traditional medicines, integrating local production into national supply chains. The equine industry now generates 1.53 billion yuan ($220.47 million) annually, sustaining thousands of local families through processing operations, cultural tourism, and professional services.
Policy support from Jiangsu’s Taizhou municipality under China’s regional assistance program has injected over 55.81 million yuan since 2023, reinforcing breed improvement, product processing, and brand development initiatives. This strategic reinvention demonstrates how traditional assets can find renewed economic relevance through innovation and market-oriented adaptation.