Train conductor Airkir Duliki (R) comforts a child who has lost contact with his parents at the stand of Aksu Railway Station, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau.
During Spring Festival travel season, she serves as the train conductor on the railway route linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The round trip between the two destinations includes more than 50 stations. At certain stations, the train will only stop for two minutes. The entire journey takes about 100 hours.
Despite the work pressure, all crew members are divided into two groups that rotate every eight hours to ensure safety and provide services for passengers.
On the eve of the Spring Festival travel season, Duliki traveled back home in a mountainous village to visit her family.
"Although my time with my family is limited, being able to serve thousands of passengers returning home safely brings happiness too," Duliki said. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki guides passengers to board the train orderly at a train station along the railway route linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki's mother kisses her goodbye before Duliki leaves home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 4, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki (L) prepares for her shift on the train linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki works at a platform of a train station along the railway route linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train attendants and passengers attend a Spring Festival gala on the train linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki guides passengers to board the train orderly at a train station along the railway route linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki arranges a vocational study in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 15, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki (R) packs food that her mother made before leaving home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 3, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki presents a gift to a child during a Spring Festival gala on the train linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki looks at a hat that her mother made before leaving home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 3, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)
Airkir Duliki (2nd R) bids farewell to her grandmother (1st R) in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 4, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 4, 2025 shows Airkir Duliki taking a car and returning to work in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki (C) packs food that her mother (R) made before leaving home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 3, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki and passengers attend a Spring Festival gala on the train linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki's sister sweeps the tears of Duliki's grandmother before Duliki leaves home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 4, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)
Train conductor Airkir Duliki ensures the safety of baggage on the overhead rack on the train linking Kashgar of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 16, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Airkir Duliki packs a hat that her mother made before leaving home in Xiabuzikla Village of Waqa County, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 3, 2025. Airkir Duliki, China's first ethnic Tajik train conductor, was born and raised amidst the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)
