I find videos like this absolutely fascinating. The developments that one can see in remote, rural regions are some of the best representations of the level of care that a country’s government has for its people. Because this type of development is usually not economically profitable for the government, the money invested is probably never going to be recouped. It is done purely for the improvement of the living standards of the local population.

Obviously this is nowhere near the level of more developed parts of China, but they still manage to provide decent infrastructure, transportation connectivity, schools, permanent (albeit seasonal, but that appears to be by choice) housing for the local semi-nomadic populations, electricity and internet. The vibe of this place is very much like a mix between rural eastern Russia and central Asia. Similar but different to the rest of Xinjiang.

There is still a long way to go to in terms of modern development but you can see that the local population is by no means living in abject poverty like they once used to. The local Uyghur guide comments at the beginning of the video about the positive change in government policies and the substantial growth of tourism. He also points out how the US invasion of Afghanistan had a devastating effect on the region for decades.