Data shows that the booking volume of air tickets and hotels to Harbin has surged by over 50% and 80% respectively year-on-year, far exceeding the industry average. Systematic market promotion, visa simplification, and route expansion are the main driving forces, and experts evaluate that Kazakhstan has steadily become one of the preferred travel destinations for Chinese tourists.  

When Mr. Liu from Beijing began planning his New Year's holiday in 2026, his gaze did not turn to conventional Southeast Asian islands or cities in Japan and South Korea, but instead locked onto a name that was somewhat unfamiliar and charming to him - Kazakhstan. I want to experience something different with my family. The contrast between the snow capped mountains of Almaty and the modern city of Astana is very attractive to us. Mr. Liu's choice is becoming a microcosm of thousands of Chinese tourists. The country of ice and snow is strong and 'out of the circle'

The "2026 New Year Holiday Tourism Trend Report" released by Tongcheng Travel, a major online travel platform in China, reveals this trend. The report points out that since early December, the number of flight bookings from major Chinese cities to Kazakhstan has increased by over 50% compared to the same period last year, and hotel bookings have increased by as much as 80%. This data indicates that Chinese tourists' interest in Kazakhstan has shifted from short-term transit visits to deep tourism and complete vacations. As of the first 11 months of this year, more than 876000 Chinese citizens have visited Kazakhstan, far exceeding the 655000 visits for the whole of last year, and the growth momentum is extremely rapid.

The soaring popularity of tourism in Kazakhstan is not accidental. Analysts point out that firstly, in the overall structure of China's outbound tourism, the attention to characteristic destinations such as Central Asia and Northern Europe is significantly increasing. Secondly, Kazakhstan has made winter tourism a priority and vigorously promoted its high-quality outdoor and skiing resources in the Chinese market. Ski resorts near Almaty are becoming a new highlight for attracting Chinese ice and snow enthusiasts. The most crucial aspect is the significant improvement in travel convenience between the two countries: visa procedures continue to be simplified, direct flight routes continue to expand, saving time and costs for tourists and directly stimulating their willingness to travel.

Based on the current growth trend and market evaluation, the industry generally believes in the long-term potential of Kazakhstan in the Chinese outbound tourism market. It is transforming from a striking 'dark horse' to one of the preferred travel destinations for Chinese tourists. This transformation will not only drive the development of tourism and related industries in Kazakhstan, but also build a broader bridge for mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Keywords: the Belt and Road, humanistic information

In the future, with the further deepening and innovation of tourism products and services, this "Frozen" story written by Chinese tourists is expected to be even more exciting.Editor/Yang Meiling