As China’s Xinjiang region continues to develop its transport connections with neighboring countries, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are emerging as increasingly popular travel destinations for Chinese tourists. Although neither Central Asian country ranks among the top 10 overseas destinations for Chinese travelers, their popularity has been steadily rising in recent years. So, what are some contributing factors?
A major factor behind this trend is visa-exempt travel, which has made it much more convenient and accessible for Chinese citizens to visit the two countries. In 2023, around 500,000 and 42,000 Chinese tourists visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, respectively.
Another reason is the affordability and convenience from Xinjiang. For example, to head from Urumqi (the capital of Xinjiang) to Almaty is a day trip of around 1,000 kilometers by bus, which only costs around 200 RMB.
Apart from these advantages, both countries are also noted for their safety. Many Chinese influencers posting about their trips to Central Asia are solo female travelers, and they often mention the warmth and hospitality of the locals they have encountered.
The appeal of both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as travel destinations lies in their diverse array of attractions, which are promoted in great detail via social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu.
For example, Almaty (Kazakhstan’s former capital city) is known for its blend of European and Central Asian culture: one of the city’s most famous buildings is the Ascension Cathedral, which coexists with mosques, traditional Kazakh music, and handmade embroidery. The nearby Shymbulak ski resort and Ile-Alatau National Park are some breathtaking spots for the country’s natural beauty, where the latter offers experiences like shooting and hunting — seldom on offer in China.
Similar to Kazakhstan, neighboring Uzbekistan is a country rich in history, especially considering its status as a trading hub during the Silk Road era. Appearing in One Thousand and One Nights, cities such as capital city Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara shine brightly with their unique blend of Islamic, Iranian and Turkic architecture through key sites such as the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Registran Square and Gur-e-Amir (mausoleum of 14th-century Turkic-Mongol conqueror, Timur).
These cultural and natural assets, coupled with accessible transport links to Xinjiang and the rest of China, appear to have positioned these two Central Asian countries to become increasingly popular amongst Chinese tourists seeking novel experiences beyond more established overseas destinations such as Japan and Thailand.
Banner image via Xiaohongshu.
