Performers in traditional costumes welcome tourists in a gate-opening ceremony of Xibe ancient city. [Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

Located in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region's Qapqal Xibe autonomous county, the Xibe ancient city showcases the Xibe ethnic group's traditional crafts and customs that are well-preserved and passed down from generation to generation.

During the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), groups of soldiers and their families of the Xibe ethnic group were ordered to migrate westward to Xinjiang to garrison the border and settle down.

Performers in traditional costumes welcome tourists in a gate-opening ceremony of Xibe ancient city.[Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

On 18th of the fourth month in lunar calendar, their descendants nowadays hold colorful activities to commemorate the Xibe ethnic group's migration.

In Xibe ancient city, visitors can learn about the ethnic group's migration history, tour the ancient architecture, practice traditional archery and sample delicious snacks.

Zhao Hu, a craftsman who makes bows and arrows, practices archery.[Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

The Bow and Arrow Museum in the scenic area demonstrates the deep-rooted archery culture of the Xibe ethnic group, with exhibits of different bows and arrows across China.

"I want to promote the process of making traditional bows and arrows, which I learned from my father. It's complicated to make a good bow, and you need to have both experience and patience," says Zhao Hu, a member of the Xibe ethnic group, who owns a bow and arrow studio in the museum.

A local resident sells traditional snacks.[Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

A photo of Xibe ancient city. [Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]