The popular ice cream shop, Gulandam, in Yining, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (WANG ZHIHUA / XINHUA)

URUMQI－Upon his arrival in Yining, one of China's westernmost cities, Liu Junjie, traveling all the way from the southern coastal province of Guangdong, could not wait to savor the local signature street food－Ili ice cream.

"I've looked forward to it for a long time, and finally got to taste it," says Liu. "I can eat it all day. I'll definitely recommend it to my friends."

Gulandam, the ice cream shop that Liu visited, is located in a tourist area of Yining, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Ili ice cream is a time-honored local specialty known for its thick, silky texture and creamy flavor. The handmade treat is a fusion of the characteristics of ice creams enjoyed by the various ethnicities living in the prefecture.

Built in 2019 in a former courtyard, with the rapid development of local tourism, Gulandam soon became a hit. It can receive more than 3,000 diners a day during the busy season, according to Wang Cheng, the shop's owner.

"Our ice cream combines the traditional ice cream-making techniques of the Uygur and other ethnic groups," says Wang, who has developed over 30 flavors with more than 20 ingredients.

A tourist displays her choice of ice cream at the shop. (WANG ZHIHUA / XINHUA)

Ili ice cream has also drawn a legion of fans online. In video clips and photos posted on social media platforms, visitors can be seen enjoying an ice cream buried beneath thick layers of jam, nuts and dried fruit, or posing against the picturesque scenery with an ice cream in hand.

Constant industrial development and the business acumen of local entrepreneurs have also made it possible for people in other parts of China to indulge their sweet tooth by getting the frozen treat delivered to their doorstep.

Amatjan Abduriyim decided to open an ice cream factory in Yining after getting a degree in food science and engineering.

"Our business is getting on track," says Amatjan Abduriyim, adding that orders from other parts of China are increasing.

Since last year, over four metric tons of ice cream have been sold to Southwest China's Chengdu, Central China's Henan province, and other regions, Amatjan Abduriyim says.

"I never thought the ice cream that used to be peddled along the streets of Ili would develop into an industry with such a big market," Wang says.