Tengrinews.kz - A cross-border tourist route connecting Lake Markakol in Kazakhstan and Kanas Lake in China is planned to be created in East Kazakhstan region.
This was announced today by East Kazakhstan region akim (governor) Ermek Kosherbayev at a briefing on the socio-economic development of the region. According to him, cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in tourism has long-term prospects.
"Work is underway to open a new border crossing near the villages of Terakty in the Markakol area and Akgubek on the Chinese side, as well as to build a road to Lake Markakol," said the akim of East Kazakhstan region.
The 316-kilometer tourist route will connect Lake Markakol in East Kazakhstan and Kanas Lake in China.
It is worth noting that Lake Kanas is visited by 10 million Chinese tourists annually. If the new border crossing near Terakty village is opened, some of these tourists could be attracted to our region, providing a new boost to the development of small and medium-sized businesses. The route will allow travelers to visit key regional attractions, such as Lake Markakol, the Old Austrian Road, and the Museum-Reserve Berel.
According to East Kazakhstan region akim Ermek Kosherbayev, this route could become not only an important element of the tourism infrastructure but also a stimulating factor for the region's economic growth, increasing the flow of tourists, and attracting investments. Moreover, the project will create new jobs for local residents.
The region's geographical location offers great opportunities for year-round tourism, which is a key direction for its development. To enhance the convenience of tourists, the region is actively expanding the network of tourist information centers, with new offices opening in the Markakol and Altai areas. Additionally, the standardization of roadside services, including toilets, parking lots, and rest areas, continues.
The development of rural tourism has become an important source of income for local residents. The villages of Korobikha, Zimovye, and Poperechnoe already welcome tourists year-round. In Ridder, a cluster for active recreation and skiing is planned, and new hotels will be built in the Katon-Karagai region. These initiatives have led to a 23 percent increase in tourism investments, while the number of tourists and accommodation facilities have grown by 50 and 20 percent, respectively.
