ASTANA – Nearly 830,000 tourists visited Astana in the first half of 2026, a 12% increase from the same period last year, as Kazakhstan’s capital expands its tourism offering and strengthens international connectivity, including through a new tourist train linking China and Kazakhstan.
The Xi’an–Almaty tourist train is welcomed in Almaty after travelling along the historic Silk Road route from China. Photo credit: Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.
Of the total visitors to Astana, about 187,000 were foreign tourists, Deputy Mayor of Astana Yevgeniy Glotov said at the opening of the Kazakhstan Travel Forum 2026 in the capital on Sept. 18.
According to him, Astana is developing several segments of tourism, including business, cultural, medical and event tourism. The capital receives more than 1.6 million tourists annually, with visitor numbers growing by an average of 10–12% each year.
“Astana has long ceased to be a city that people visit only for work. More than 1.6 million tourists visit the capital every year, and this flow is growing by an average of 10–12% annually. Today, our task is to make sure that a guest who comes to Astana for a concert or business meeting stays here longer and returns again. Cities around the world are competing for this kind of tourist today, and Astana is actively participating in this competition,” he said.
Event tourism remains one of the city’s key priorities. International concerts, sporting competitions and major business and cultural events are being used to attract additional visitors and encourage them to extend their stays.
The city is also expanding its tourism infrastructure, with new attractions and international hotel brands adding to its offer.
Xi’an–Almaty tourist train strengthens China links
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is expanding its railway tourism connections with China. An international tourist train operating on the Xi’an–Almaty route arrived in Almaty after departing from the Chinese city of Xi’an on Sept. 14. The route passes through northwestern China and Xinjiang along the historic Silk Road before crossing the Kazakhstan–China border at Khorgos.
Passenger transportation within Kazakhstan is provided by Passenger Transportation, which has established a special timetable for the international service to account for border procedures and the connection between the railway systems of the two countries.
“Developing tourist trains is of strategic importance to us. Railways make it possible to create comprehensive tourist routes, connecting cities, regions, historical and natural sites. Our task is to jointly develop this format with foreign partners, expand the geography of travel across Kazakhstan and create a quality tourism product for passengers,” said Anuar Akhmetzhanov, chairman of Passenger Transportation.
A cultural and sightseeing programme has been prepared for the Chinese tourists arriving in Almaty. The itinerary includes the Independence Monument, the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park, the Ascension Cathedral, the Central Mosque, Kok-Tobe, Shymbulak, the Central State Museum and other attractions.
The Xi’an–Almaty international tourist train was first launched by the Chinese side in 2025. In June 2026, the first service using Kazakhstan’s national carrier’s trains was operated. The current service is the second such trip this year.
