Drifters or dreamers: Toil and fortune in Xi'an

Xi'an of Shaanxi province has become the most popular city in Northwest China with a floating population of 1.45 million.

Among them, many are self-made entrepreneurs, dreaming to establish their foothold and make a fortune in the city.

As economy picks up in the west region, Xi'an represents a rising market with huge potential, said Zhan Nanyang, owner of a photographic studio at downtown since 2005.

Born in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Gao Yupu received her college education in Xi'an, majoring in traditional Chinese painting, and was an art teacher before she quitted her job to open a teahouse.

The taste in art has given her an edge in decorating her own teahouse, said Gao, adding that she planned to ask her parents to come over and live with her.

Zhan Nanyang, born in Chaozhou, Guangdong province, aged 35, opened a photographic studio at Xi'an downtown in 2005 with one million yuan. [Photo/IC]