"I stood extra straight for the flag-raising ceremony"

At dawn on June 1, the children, dressed in bright, traditional ethnic clothing and glowing with excitement, arrived early at Tiananmen Square for the flag-raising ceremony.

At 4:48 a.m., the solemn ritual began. The national color guard marched confidently across the Golden Water Bridge. Phones were raised early—none of the children wanted to miss a second of this powerful moment.

As the rousing "March of the Volunteers" echoed through the square and the first rays of sunlight glinted off the rising Five-Star Red Flag, the children's clear voices stood out among the crowd.

"I waited more than two hours just to see this moment, and it was totally worth it," said Xieyidai Tuerdiaihemaiti.

Rexidai Abudukadier added, "I always dreamed of seeing the flag rise over Tiananmen. I stood as straight as I could the entire time. I didn't want to miss anything."

A young dancer with a big dream

Though only eight years old, Baierna Abulikemu is already a familiar face on the stages of Hetian—often performing solo at local events.

"I love dancing. I want to be a dancer when I grow up," she said, her eyes gleaming.

When asked about her dream, she replied with conviction: "I want to show Xinjiang's dances to the whole world, so everyone can feel their beauty."

At the Great Wall's Juyong Pass, beside the famous stone inscription reading "One who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero," the elegant melodies of the Twelve Muqam filled the air. Baierna broke into a joyful Xinjiang dance, her movements light and radiant. Soon, 12-year-old Abuduhaibaier Alahemaiti joined her, and the two performed an impromptu duet.

Surrounded by tourists, their lively performance ended with warm applause and a flurry of photos, capturing a moment of spontaneous celebration high on one of China's most iconic landmarks.

Baierna was not the only child dreaming big. "I want to be a doctor and save lives." "I want to be a soldier and protect my country." "I want to be a teacher and inspire children." One by one, the children shared their aspirations, their voices clear and hopeful beneath the steep stairs.

A lesson in perseverance on the Great Wall

The hills around Beijing were lush and green in the early summer. The Great Wall's winding path rose and fell with the terrain, with steep, uneven steps that challenged even the most energetic visitors.

"It was so tiring. I wanted to give up," said Alimire Abulikemu. But after a short rest, she pressed on, determined to keep going.

"When I saw the other kids climbing so hard, I felt really inspired," she explained. "Every time I wanted to give up, I saw others pushing forward. That made me want to keep going too."

Xieyidai agreed, "The Great Wall is magnificent. When I thought about giving up, I saw how others kept going, and I kept going too."

They said they had learned a new lesson on the Wall—the power of perseverance.

A broader world, a stronger dream

The visit left a deep impression on the children. "People in Beijing are so warm and friendly. The city is clean, and the views are beautiful," said Alimire. "Here, I saw a much bigger world."

Baierna said that the trip had made her even more determined to chase her dream. For Abuduhaibaier, Beijing had opened his eyes to a wider stage—one where he could pursue his passion for dance on a grander scale. The satellite models and real planes he saw at the Beijing Air and Space Museum in Beihang University even introduced him to other life possibilities.

On the return bus ride, the children began singing a popular song, The Fragrance of Apples, their voices soft and joyful. "Does the bayan still play on Six-Star Street? Has Aleksandr's bakery brought fresh bread from the oven...?"

As the melody floated through the bus, it was clear that the laughter and warmth of this Beijing journey had already taken root in their hearts—memories they would carry home as cherished seeds of hope.