A new tourist train service connecting Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province and Almaty in Kazakhstan has officially set off, marking a significant milestone in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Carrying 234 eager travelers, the train departed from Xi’an around noon on Thursday and is scheduled to arrive in Almaty on Saturday. The return journey will depart on June 5, bringing passengers back to Xi’an by June 7. Each one-way trip spans approximately 57 hours.
According to railway official Hui Lixia, the journey is divided into two segments: one within China and another across the border. From Xi’an to Horgos in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the train utilizes 25T carriages traveling at speeds of up to 140 km/h. Upon reaching Horgos, it switches to 25G carriages designed for international rail service for the remainder of the trip to Almaty.
This year marks the China tourism year in Kazakhstan, adding special significance to the inaugural journey. Upon arrival in Almaty, passengers will be greeted with vibrant performances and a taste of local cuisine, immersing them in Kazakh culture.
A four-day cultural and people-to-people exchange event will unfold in Almaty, showcasing a diverse array of activities. Attendees can anticipate demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage skills, exhibitions of cultural relics, and promotions of traditional Chinese medicine. Special events include a youth football friendly match, a symposium on sports exchanges, and a gathering of women entrepreneurs.
The launch of this special train service is one of the key outcomes of the first China-Central Asia Summit held in Xi’an in 2023. The second summit is slated to take place later this year in Kazakhstan, further strengthening regional cooperation.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs, China-Central Asia trade reached $70.2 billion in 2022, reflecting a continuous growth in economic ties. Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan ranked first in trade value with China, accounting for over 46 percent of the total and reaching $31.2 billion.
