Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Developing cross-border tourist routes, creating one-stop centers for tourist services, and launching new flights… Since the entry into force of the China-Kazakhstan visa waiver agreement in November 2023, travel between the two countries has become easier, and cross-border tourism and related industries are actively developing.
"I visited Lake Alakol twice this summer! The air is clean, the water is crystal clear, the pastures are beautiful—you feel completely rested!" Tao Qin, a resident of Tacheng City in northwestern Xinjiang, told a Xinhua News Agency correspondent about her recent trip to Kazakhstan. She noted that the bus ride from the Bakhty (Bakutu) border crossing to Lake Alakol is just over two hours. Swimming in the lake and taking mud baths at the local resort are incredibly enjoyable, and the prices are quite reasonable.
According to Wang Long, manager of the Tacheng branch of Gaoke International Travel Agency, the three-day tour to Lake Alakol is very popular: in the summer, the agency sends two groups every ten days. "Residents of Tacheng have seen Lake Alakol in the distance since childhood. Since the introduction of the visa-free regime, more and more locals are traveling there to see it up close," he added.
2024 and 2025 have been declared the Years of Kazakhstan Tourism in China and the Years of China Tourism in Kazakhstan, respectively, boosting the appeal of cross-border tourism. A cross-border route, "Tacheng-Kurusty Steppe-Bakhty Border Crossing-Lake Alakol," has also been developed in the Tacheng district.
In Alashankou, another Xinjiang border crossing, one-day tours to the Kazakh village of Dostyk, three-day tours to Lake Alakol, and seven-day trips to Almaty are gaining popularity. The city plans to resume bus service on two international routes to the Kazakh cities of Usharal and Taldykorgan.
Kazakhstan's Nur-Gani Travel Company recently signed a cooperation agreement with Xinjiang's Talyu Travel Company to jointly develop tours and provide welcoming and support services for tourists. As Khalymzhanovna Nazima, Nur-Gani's CEO, stated in a telephone interview with Xinhua, "Our cooperation is developing very dynamically. We regularly host tour groups from China and jointly develop new tourism products. In the future, we also plan to collaborate in ecotourism and cultural exchanges." Chen Fangfang, CEO of Talyu Travel Company, also plans to collaborate with Kazakhstan on organizing tours for Kazakh tourists to Xinjiang.
According to data from the Almaty Tourism Department published in September, 54,100 Chinese tourists visited Almaty in the first half of this year, a 33.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Kazakh airline FlyArystan launched a direct flight from Almaty to Yining (Xinjiang) in May of this year and plans to increase the frequency to three times a week in October. The Kazakh business publication Kursiv notes that "increased flight frequency contributes to the development of bilateral relations and opens new opportunities for travelers."
To simplify border crossings for the growing number of tourists following the introduction of a visa-free regime, Xinjiang's border crossings are taking active measures. Specifically, a one-stop shop opened in Khorgos in August of this year, serving both Chinese and international tourists. Dozens of companies offering travel agency services, customs clearance, translation and notarization, insurance, car rental, and more have already joined.
According to Zhang Yongpeng, deputy head of the second operational detachment at the Khorgos border checkpoint, the main purposes for travel through the Khorgos checkpoint since the beginning of the year have been cross-border tourism, business trips, and visiting relatives. On some days, up to 7,000 people crossed the border. As of August 21, over a million passengers had passed through the Khorgos checkpoint, a 60% increase compared to the same period last year and a record high.
Zhang Yongpeng explained that previously, all foreign citizens had to fill out immigration cards manually. Now, all they need to do is place their passport on a special reader for the information to be automatically recognized. Tourists can then check and complete the information in their native language. "It only takes 10-15 seconds!" he added.
At the border control hall, the correspondent met an unusual group of motorcyclists from Poland, Canada, Greece, and other countries. They began their journey in Kyrgyzstan, traveled through Kazakhstan, and arrived in Khorgos. Polish tourist Grzegorz reported that the group planned to travel via Urumqi to Lhasa, and then on to Nepal.
Grzegorz also noted that this is not his first visit to China: “It is a great country with a rich history and culture.”
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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