As soon as the visa exemption policy between China and Kazakhstan was implemented, Khorgos International Passenger Station was not idle this winter, and directly ushered in the bustling scene of cross-border spring transportation. In January 2026, the number of international passengers sent by the station exceeded 27000, with over 820 international passenger trains arranged, making it quite popular.

There are several reasons behind this trend. Firstly, the visa free policy is undoubtedly the "number one hero", making family visits and tourism as convenient as visiting a door. Chinese tourists can easily go on a short vacation to Almaty, while many Kazakhstani friends come with empty boxes to specifically purchase our high-quality and affordable New Year's goods and daily necessities. Some are even merchants who specialize in purchasing on behalf of others. The station also responded quickly, not only increasing schedules and manpower based on passenger flow dynamics, but also improving rest areas and adding free charging stations to make waiting for trains as comfortable as possible.

The passenger flow has increased, so the speed of customs clearance cannot be compromised. Ports like the Eighty Houses Border Checkpoint are under a lot of pressure. They moved the police force forward during this year's Spring Festival travel rush, opened up inspection lanes, and collaborated with passenger stations to adopt an early verification mode of "reporting as soon as the bus departs" for buses. With this combination of punches, it is said that the clearance efficiency of international buses can be improved by about 80%. The police are on duty 24 hours a day, and hot water and first aid kits are also prepared on site to ensure smooth traffic and safety.

From the data, the popularity of this cross-border flow is not accidental. You should know that in 2025, Khorgos Port will send nearly 310000 international passengers throughout the year, maintaining a growing momentum. The good start in January 2026 can be considered a continuation of this trend. Keywords: international tourism, visa free policy, Khorgos

In general, this picture of cross-border Spring Festival transport at Khorgos Port is jointly promoted by policy facilitation, people's livelihood needs and service upgrading.Editor/Cheng Liting