ASIA: A tourist train has been launched between Xi’an in China and Almaty in Kazakhstan, offering a five-day historical and cultural tour enabling guest to visit major sights and participate in special events.
The train has nine coaches equipped for comfortable travel. It will pass through Urumqi, and cross the border at Korgas where the 1 435 mm gauge wheelsets used in China will be exchanged for Kazakhstan’s 1 520 mm gauge.
The first train departed on May 29, carrying 246 people including business representatives, scientists, actors and athletes. Guests at the launch ceremony included KTZ Deputy Chairman Anuar Akhmetzhanov and representatives of local authorities, tourism and transport organisations.
‘The project is aimed at developing diplomatic relations, expanding cultural dialogue and promoting tourism between our countries. We are confident that this trip will give guests from China vivid impressions and serve as a basis for new joint initiatives’, said Akhmetzhanov.
