Published on : 23/06/2024

On June 23, 1992, China and Kazakhstan launched their first international passenger train service, K9795/9796, running between Urumqi in Xinjiang and Almaty.

This marked the opening of full-service of road, air and rail links between the two countries.

Nowaday, this international passenger service operates regularly throughout the year, once a week, and the train departs from Urumqi South Station and crosses the border via the Horgos Port to Almaty.

The railway covers a distance of 1,048 kilometres, which is 301 kilometres less compared to crossing the border via the Alashankou port.

On the day of the inauguration, Wu Xueqian (吳學謙), the then Deputy Premier of the State Council of China and the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, jointly held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the train.

They both pointed out that the Urumqi to Almaty railway serves as a bond of friendship between the people of China, Kazakhstan and other Eurasian countries, and its construction and operation have significant importance in strengthening cooperation between China, Kazakhstan and other Eurasian nations.