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International Affairs KZ UZB

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to launch tourist train between Astana and Samarkand

On January 10, Astana hosted a meeting between Kazakhstan’s JSC Passenger Transportation and O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari (Uzbekistan Railways) on the development of cooperation in the field of passenger railway transportation between the two countries, the press service of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company reported. During the meeting the parties signed an agreement

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Art & Culture KZ World

Almaty among CNN Travel’s best places to visit in 2025

Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, has been included in CNN Travel’s list of 25 destinations that are particularly worth visiting in 2025.  According to CNN Travel, Central Asia’s dramatic landscapes and unique urban centers are proving to be particularly alluring. Leading the way is Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, which has become the region’s new “Capital of Cool”.

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International Affairs KG

Kyrgyzstan introduces visa-free regime for citizens of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has announced that a visa-free regime will be introduced for citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain starting from January 4, 2025. Citizens of these countries traveling

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Business & Economy KZ

New train launched between Astana and Borovoye resort in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s national railways company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has launched a new electric train connecting the country’s capital, Astana, and Borovoye, one of the country’s most popular resorts. Borovoye is the commonly used Russian name of the Burabay National Park, located just 250 kilometers north of Astana and famous for its pine forests and beautiful

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International Affairs KZ UZB

Another train tour launched between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

After launching a four-day train tour in November connecting the cities of Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, has announced the launch of another train tour, “Jibek Joly (Silk Road) 2.0,” along the route Almaty-Turkestan-Tashkent-Samarkand-Shymkent-Almaty. The first train on this route will depart on January 2 and return to

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International Affairs KZ UZB

Tourist train launched on Almaty-Turkestan-Tashkent-Almaty route

Kazakhstan’s national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) said that a pilot tourist train, Jibek Joly (Silk Road), will depart on November 16 from Almaty on the route Almaty-Turkestan-Tashkent-Almaty. The duration of the tour will be 5 days — from November 16 to 20. A total of 115 tourists will go on the first trip,

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International Affairs KG

Kyrgyzstan introduces visa-free entry for tourist groups from China

The government of Kyrgyzstan has introduced a visa-free entry for organized tourist groups from China for up to 21 days. This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov at the 11th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which was held in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China on October 28. The

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Business & Economy KG KZ

Traveling on toll road between Almaty and Lake Issyk-Kul may cost $10-$25

Travel on the planned highway that will connect Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, and Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul would cost between $10 and $25, Tazabek news agency reported citing Kylychbek Jakypov, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) representative and national coordinator of Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor. Almaty is only 80 kilometers away from Issyk-Kul, which is renowned for its

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International Affairs TJK

Tajikistan-Iran visa-free travel deal to begin on August 10

A deal allowing Tajik and Iranian citizens to travel between the two nations without visas for up to 90 days per year — with the first visit limited to 30 days — will take effect on August 10, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said on August 6, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. The ministry said that in the first

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Eurasia International Affairs KZ

Passenger train will be launched from China’s Xi’an to Almaty

Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has announced that the issues of organizing the launch of an international tourist passenger train from China’s Xi’an to Almaty were discussed during a working meeting of the heads of NC KTZ JSC, Passenger Transportation JSC and a delegation of the government of Xi’an (PRC). The tourist

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Eurasia Geo Politics KZ World

Kazakhstan foreign minister visits Thailand

On April 23, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Thailand upon the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. During the talks, the sides discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Kazakh-Thai relations in

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International Affairs TJK

Turkey cancels visa-free travel for Tajik citizens

Turkey has cancelled visa-free travel for Tajik nationals, the office of the Turkish president said on April 6, without giving any reason behind the decision, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry later said that Ankara had not officially notified Dushanbe about its plan to scrap the visa-exemption rule, which had been in place since

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Art & Culture Eurasia KZ

Discovery Travel Forum puts the spotlight on Central Asia

With its ancient architectural monuments and beautiful natural landscapes, Central Asia is a magnet for travelers from around the world. The British publishing house Silk Road Media, through its publications such as Open Central Asia Magazine and travel guides to the countries of the region, has been promoting Central Asia as an attractive tourism destination,

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Art & Culture

Unveiling the ECG World Coaching Championship: A Fusion of Art, Education and Nature

The upcoming ECG World Coaching Championship is set to take place in the breath-taking landscapes of Kyrgyzstan from 22nd to 29th June. Organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) in collaboration with the Elena Bezrukova Centre and Ak-sai Travel, this championship promises to be a celebration of art, nature, and nurturing positive energy. The genesis

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World

Nomads flock together!

I love finding connections between places I know and love, wether it be an unexpected meeting with the Uzbek landlady of a local bar, a neighbour who went to a wedding in Bishkek or a familiar name. In Kenya these connections can be more difficult to seek unless they literally fly across the road in

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International Affairs KZ

In 2023, Kazakhstan was mostly visited by tourists from Russia, China and Türkiye

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to September 2023, 834.9 thousand foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan, 225 thousand more than in 2022 (an increase of 37%). In the first nine months of 2023, the majority of travelers visited Kazakhstan from Russia — 356,850. Chinese tourists took second place — 75,131, followed by tourists

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