(XINJIANG, CHINA) Cross-border tourism between China’s Xinjiang region and Kazakhstan has climbed fast since the visa-free agreement between the two countries took effect on November 10, 2023. The deal allows ordinary passport holders from both sides to enter without a visa for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Signed on May 17, 2023, the agreement covers travel for tourism, business, medical care, transit, and other short-term purposes.
Local border ports across northern Xinjiang now report steady daily movement, fuller tour schedules, and a growing mix of travelers who combine short foreign trips with domestic routes.
Key border cities and usage figures
The strongest growth has come through cities like Tacheng, Alashankou, Jeminay, and Horgos, where land ports connect directly to towns just over the line in Kazakhstan.
- By mid-2025, officials at Jeminay Port recorded over 49,000 cross-border travelers, with daily crossings at times peaking above 830.
- These figures contrast sharply with the period two years earlier, when most trips required advance visas and greater planning.
Travel agencies say the new rules have sparked fresh interest among first-time international travelers in Xinjiang who want a low-cost, low-hassle trip that still feels special.
New tour products and traveler mixes
Tour operators on both sides are building “short but rich” packages that match the visa-free limits and travelers’ preferences.
Popular products:
– Three-day tours to Lake Alakol (eastern Kazakhstan) — known for mineral-rich waters and summer resorts.
– Xinjiang residents commonly return via tours into Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Urumqi, and nearby highland areas.
– “Domestic plus international” routes linking a few days in northern Xinjiang with a hop over the border to a Kazakh spa town or lakeside village.
Travel planning features:
– Coaches run on set schedules during peak months; itineraries often combine scenic stops with local food markets to keep costs down.
– VisaVerge.com notes blended packages help travelers use their time within the 30-day window while staying under the 90 days per 180 days cap.
Business, family ties, and non-tourist uses
Officials say the surge is not only about vacations. The visa-free arrangement supports:
– Short business trips and trade fair visits
– Family reunions and quick weekend visits
– Medical and transit travel covered under the agreement
Benefits:
– Lower costs and faster meetings for local traders
– Easier weekend reunions for families with trans-border roots
– More frequent in-person contact in a region where cross-border family ties are common
Border management and traveler facilitation
Border authorities in Xinjiang have adapted operations to reduce delays and improve traveler experience.
Measures implemented:
– New staffing plans at ports such as Horgos and Jeminay during holidays and summer peaks
– “On-the-spot guidance” for travelers at inspection stations
– Creation of “green channels” for older adults, people with disabilities, and families with young children
– Real-time data sharing with Kazakh counterparts to smooth spikes during weekend departures and late returns
These steps aim to reduce wait times while keeping checks secure.
Government-level backing and promotional years
The timing of the upswing aligns with both governments’ push to deepen people-to-people links. High-level meetings between Presidents Xi Jinping and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported wider cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, with easier travel a top practical goal.
Notable promotional moves:
– 2024: “Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China”
– 2025: “Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan”
These themed years fuel events, cultural shows, and travel fairs that provide tour firms with ready-made themes and give small border towns promotional platforms.
Passport reach and traveler demographics
For Kazakhstan, the visa-free deal raised the number of visa-free destinations for its passport to 78. For China, the national passport ranking was unchanged, but the agreement created a convenient nearby no-visa option—especially appealing to Xinjiang residents for short breaks.
Traveler trends:
– Strong demand from middle-aged and retired travelers, many taking their first international trip
– Younger travelers (especially from Urumqi) mixing music festivals, lake camping in Kazakhstan, and food tours in Ili
– Packages now often include simple calculators or checklists to help customers avoid overstays
Compliance and entry rules (important)
Border management emphasizes compliance even under visa-free travel. Travelers must:
– Carry a valid passport
– Confirm their purpose of stay (tourism, business, family visit, medical treatment)
– Follow entry rules set by each country
Recommendations from local inspection officers:
– Keep hotel bookings and return transport details handy to speed interviews
– Track repeat visits carefully to avoid exceeding the 90-in-180 limit
Warning:
Overstay penalties can include fines or later entry bans, which would undo the convenience the visa-free agreement created.
Tour operator strategies — three trends
Tourists’ behavior and operators’ offers are adapting to the new reality:
- Short, fixed-date tours aimed at first-time travelers, priced to compete with domestic trips.
- “Combo” products splitting time between Xinjiang scenic areas and nearby Kazakh spots (often within 5–7 days).
- Event-led travel (summer festivals near Lake Alakol, winter markets), tied to bus routes synchronized with port opening hours.
These work because transport links are tight and travel times short—often a few hours by bus with a single port stop.
Local economic impacts
Border hubs are seeing ripple effects:
– Small guesthouses, drivers, and market vendors in Xinjiang report more customers.
– In Kazakhstan’s border towns, cafés and guides see Chinese tour buses throughout the week.
– Artisans (felt makers, wood carvers, jam sellers) benefit when markets extend hours to meet demand.
This growth is seasonal but each month of steady traffic helps form lasting habits and networks.
Infrastructure, coordination, and seasonal dynamics
The tourism push sits within broader bilateral coordination:
– Freight rail lines and road links under Belt and Road also support people’s travel
– Joint border-agency meetings fine-tune daily operations
– Cultural bureaus schedule exhibitions and exchanges that complement tourism promotion
Seasonality and events:
– Summer: largest crowds for Lake Alakol and Xinjiang grasslands
– Winter: steady visits for hot springs and indoor markets
– Event calendars during the themed years add predictable peaks and spur planners to schedule far ahead
Authorities and firms are addressing pressures:
– Improving multilingual signage and staffing during peaks
– Encouraging weekday travel via discounts and spreading departures across the day
Practical checklist for travelers
Even without a visa, plan carefully:
- Bring a passport with enough validity for the trip.
- Keep proof of funds, hotel bookings, and return plans accessible.
- Be ready to explain the trip purpose—tourism, business, family visit, or medical treatment.
- Track days used within the 90 days per 180 days limit.
- Check port opening times and allow for peak queues during holidays.
For official rules and updates, consult the National Immigration Administration of China: National Immigration Administration of China, which publishes entry-exit notices and travel facilitation measures.
Policy implications and outlook
Policy watchers see the Xinjiang-Kazakhstan corridor as a test case for how visa-free travel can stimulate local areas. Because ports sit near major highways and rail lines, they can funnel tourists quickly across the border. The rapid rise since late 2023 shows how sensitive cross-border tourism is to paperwork and wait times—when rules are simple and clear, people respond quickly.
Longer-term potentials:
– Strong local benefits that reach places far from national tourism centers
– Stable business links, cultural exchanges, and investment opportunities emerging from frequent contact
Constraints that remain:
– The visa-free policy does not allow work or long-term residence
– Those seeking to study, work, or stay longer must obtain the appropriate visa or permit in advance
Human impact and the current picture
For many families, the biggest change is practical and human: short visits for birthdays, weddings, memorials, or quick trade meetings are now easier with only a passport and a plan.
For now, the most visible change is simple: more people crossing the line with small bags, short itineraries, and broad smiles.
If current patterns hold through the 2025 tourism year, local officials and tour firms expect the daily hum of cross-border buses and vans to become part of everyday life in this vast, shared region—bringing travel, trade, and regular people-to-people contact closer together.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
The Xinjiang–Kazakhstan visa-free agreement, effective November 10, 2023, allows ordinary passport holders up to 30 days per visit and a total of 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, medical and transit purposes. Since implementation, land ports including Jeminay, Horgos, Tacheng and Alashankou have recorded rapid growth; Jeminay logged over 49,000 travelers by mid-2025 with daily peaks above 830. Tour operators now design short, budget-friendly packages—such as three-day Lake Alakol trips—and combo routes linking Xinjiang scenic spots with Kazakh resorts. Authorities expanded staffing, introduced green channels, and share real-time data with Kazakhstan to ease peaks. The policy spurs local economic gains for guesthouses, vendors and guides, but travelers must carry valid passports, document purposes of stay, and monitor the 90-in-180 limit to avoid fines or bans. The corridor is seen as a test case for how streamlined travel can rapidly stimulate cross-border ties and local development, though the agreement does not permit work or long-term residence.
