Surge in Tourism Between China and Central Asia: Direct Flights and Visa-Free Policies Drive Growth
The introduction of direct flights and visa-free travel is significantly increasing tourism exchanges between China and Central Asian nations.
On June 14, 2025, China Southern Airlines inaugurated a direct flight route from Beijing to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, marking the first such connection between the two capitals.
The new service operates twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, enhancing travel efficiency and fostering economic ties and cultural exchanges between China and Tajikistan.
This year is designated as the tourism year for both China in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in China, coinciding with increasing tourism engagements attributed to visa-free travel agreements.
Data from Chinese travel agencies indicate a substantial surge in visitor numbers between China and Central Asia, reflecting a broader regional connectivity trend.
According to Trip.com Group, inbound bookings from Central Asian tourists have experienced a year-on-year increase of 106 percent, with bookings from Uzbekistan rising by 164 percent.
Popular Chinese destinations for these travelers include Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing.
Furthermore, outbound tourism from China to Central Asia has grown by 74 percent, with a notable 60-percent rise in bookings to Uzbekistan.
Travel platform Utour reported that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Central Asia has doubled compared to the previous year.
Similarly, bookings for flights to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on the Fliggy platform have seen increases of 60 percent and 47 percent, respectively.
In response to the increasing demand, travel agencies are planning to launch new tourism products designed for the summer season.
Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager of Spring Travel, announced the introduction of the In-depth Kazakhstan Tour and a dual-country tour to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, highlighting cultural experiences such as local cuisine and historical sites.
Han Jie, chairman of CYTS Tours, noted the growing popularity of Central Asia among Chinese tourists, particularly in cities like Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan, and the culturally rich destinations in Uzbekistan.
Group travel remains prevalent, primarily among retirees, although the industry anticipates capturing a younger demographic with new product offerings.
The visa-free policy implemented on June 1 by Uzbekistan aims to draw 1 million Chinese tourists in the medium term.
Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s minister of investment, industry and trade, highlighted that Chinese tourism serves as a significant indicator of the nation's tourism sector's growth, with a recorded increase of 75 percent in Chinese visitors to Uzbekistan in 2024.
Data from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports underscored China's importance as a source of tourists, noting that visits by Chinese nationals reached 655,000 in 2024, marking a 78 percent increase from the previous year.
The new service operates twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, enhancing travel efficiency and fostering economic ties and cultural exchanges between China and Tajikistan.
This year is designated as the tourism year for both China in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in China, coinciding with increasing tourism engagements attributed to visa-free travel agreements.
Data from Chinese travel agencies indicate a substantial surge in visitor numbers between China and Central Asia, reflecting a broader regional connectivity trend.
According to Trip.com Group, inbound bookings from Central Asian tourists have experienced a year-on-year increase of 106 percent, with bookings from Uzbekistan rising by 164 percent.
Popular Chinese destinations for these travelers include Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing.
Furthermore, outbound tourism from China to Central Asia has grown by 74 percent, with a notable 60-percent rise in bookings to Uzbekistan.
Travel platform Utour reported that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Central Asia has doubled compared to the previous year.
Similarly, bookings for flights to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on the Fliggy platform have seen increases of 60 percent and 47 percent, respectively.
In response to the increasing demand, travel agencies are planning to launch new tourism products designed for the summer season.
Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager of Spring Travel, announced the introduction of the In-depth Kazakhstan Tour and a dual-country tour to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, highlighting cultural experiences such as local cuisine and historical sites.
Han Jie, chairman of CYTS Tours, noted the growing popularity of Central Asia among Chinese tourists, particularly in cities like Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan, and the culturally rich destinations in Uzbekistan.
Group travel remains prevalent, primarily among retirees, although the industry anticipates capturing a younger demographic with new product offerings.
The visa-free policy implemented on June 1 by Uzbekistan aims to draw 1 million Chinese tourists in the medium term.
Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s minister of investment, industry and trade, highlighted that Chinese tourism serves as a significant indicator of the nation's tourism sector's growth, with a recorded increase of 75 percent in Chinese visitors to Uzbekistan in 2024.
Data from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports underscored China's importance as a source of tourists, noting that visits by Chinese nationals reached 655,000 in 2024, marking a 78 percent increase from the previous year.
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