Ride of their lives

The couple, who have been married eight years and have two sons aged 6 and 4, spent more than 100,000 yuan ($15,500) on the expedition. Once Khuanbek and Jayna return home－with the horses transported back to Xinjiang－they hope to take advantage of infrastructure improvements and other developments to help grow the local tourism sector, offering horse-riding tours, homestays and other ethnic experiences to share the beauty of their area with more people.

Wutzala, head of the China Horse Culture, Sports and Tourism Institute, which is under the Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, says the couple have made their Kazak community proud.

"They've drawn us to their pristine lands and rich local traditions. More effort can be made to fully develop appreciation for the scenic and ethnic treasures of northern Xinjiang," he says.

Jayna says that, among their fans online, the horses that carried them across the country have become quite famous themselves. Any offers to buy the animals will also be declined, she says.

"They will continue to be part of our home, among the beautiful mountains, rivers and grasslands."