Central Asia draws Chinese tourists as China’s belt and road plan revitalises region
Beijing’s infrastructure programme and other partnership initiatives with the Central Asian republics have seen visitor numbers soar
When Beijing company executive Lillian Zhu saw the Tianjin Museum’s exhibition of Kazakhstan artefacts earlier this year, she was captivated by the vibrant culture of Central Asia and was determined to find out more.
“It struck me how little I knew about the Silk Road countries beyond China. The fusion of nomadic and settled lifestyles is so intriguing,” she said.
Inspired by the display of nearly 200 artefacts from Kazakhstan’s National Museum, Zhu booked a 15-day study tour this summer to the five Central Asian republics – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Zhu is just one of the growing number of Chinese visitors to Central Asia, often called the crossroads of civilisations. It was a vital hub for the ancient Silk Road, easing cultural and economic exchanges between East and West.
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