Strolling through the winding streets of the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, you will come across a cozy café called Dili & Diya. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air, much like the heart-warming love story of the café’s owners, spreading warmth to all who visit.  

The young owners, Dilshat Tursun from Kashgar, and his wife Hadiya Msham Abdulla from Tanzania, are well-liked by the locals as well as visitors, adding a unique touch to this historic street. The café’s name, Dili & Diya, come from the owners’ names. 

Their love story began on the campus when they were both college students in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. Abdulla started her studies at Fujian Medical University in 2012, and Dilshat was admitted to Fuzhou University the following year. Being away from home, they found warmth in each other’s company and fell in love. 

Despite the significant differences in their cultures, their bond deepened day by day. In 2020, they got married in Kashgar, and by 2022, the couple resigned from their jobs in Fuzhou and returned to Kashgar, where they opened their own café – a place brimming with love and dreams.

A meeting point of cultures 

This cosy café, located on Wustanbowie Street in Kashgar, perfectly blends into its surroundings with simple furnishings that match the historical atmosphere. A wooden board above the entrance bears the café’s name, while their wedding photos adorn the blue door, sharing their love story with every passer-by and customer. Inside, the delicate design fuses Chinese and Tanzanian cultural elements, creating a warm and artistic ambiance that makes visitors feel as though they are standing at the crossroads of two nations. 

The café serves coffee made from Tanzanian beans and local Kashgar milk, combining flavours from both regions. Abdulla personally trains the barista, ensuring that every step, from grinding the beans to brewing the coffee, is executed with precision and care. The meticulous attention to detail in each stage of the process results in a perfectly crafted cup of coffee. Watching the process and savouring the rich, authentic aroma creates an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression. 

Abdulla is not only an expert in coffee-making but also a true coffee enthusiast with a deep understanding of different types of coffee. She is good at selecting the right kind of African coffee beans. The high quality of coffee is what sets their café apart in the ancient city. In addition to their exceptional coffee, they offer a selection of unique drinks, Kashgar specialties, and delicate African handicrafts, further enriching the experience for visitors. 

For Dilshat and Abdulla, running their own café has been a long-held dream. During peak tourist seasons, the ancient city of Kashgar sees an average of over 50,000 visitors per day. Their café, always bustling with customers, sells more than a hundred cups of coffee each day, making it a thriving business. Proud of what they have achieved, they now hope that this café can serve as a bridge that connects China and Tanzania, and their business of coffee and handicrafts can boost the cultural exchanges between the two peoples. 

Dili & Diya Café has gradually become a popular tourist spot in Kashgar, gaining increasing visibility on social media and short video platforms. More and more visitors are drawn not only by the unique coffee made from ingredients from both nations but also by the inspiring love story that transcends geographical boundaries.

Spreading joy 

Abdulla, who speaks six languages, communicates fluently with customers from around the world. During busy hours, she often grabs the microphone to sing Tanzanian folk songs to treat their customers, while her husband stays by her side taking care of their child. Her radiant smile and lively performances have become a beloved feature of the street, spreading joy to all who pass by. 

As the café’s popularity grows, Dilshat is exploring new avenues of business. He is considering launching a trading company to sell more high-quality African coffee beans nationwide through livestreaming, while also promoting Kashgar’s specialties to Africa and beyond.  

In this enchanting city of Kashgar, the story of Dilshat and Abdulla is widely circulated, and their coffee business is set to be as enduring as their love.

Wandering through this border city, one can witness its vibrant prosperity and rapid development. More and more individuals like Dilshat and Abdulla are establishing their roots here. Despite coming from different regions, ethnicities and backgrounds, they all share a common trait of resilience and shared aspiration for a better life. These dynamic individuals collectively contribute to the thriving atmosphere of today’s Kashgar. The lively stories of countless ordinary people continue to unfold, weaving together a touching chapter of a beautiful life.

 African Times published this article in partnership with ChinAfrica Magazine