Chinese tourists flock to Uzbekistan in the New Year

On the eve of the New Year holidays, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan has increased sharply. Experts note that the introduction of a visa-free regime for Chinese citizens at the beginning of this year became the main factor behind the doubling of the tourist flow.

According to the Tourism Committee, citing the Xinhua News Agency, the number of airline ticket bookings from China to Uzbekistan between January 1 and 3 doubled compared to the same period last year.

Specialists attribute this positive trend to the availability of visa-free travel. The new policy has significantly simplified travel procedures and reduced bureaucratic barriers for short-term leisure and cultural trips.

In addition, the active promotion of Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential during the recently concluded “Uzbekistan – Year of Tourism” in China also contributed to the growing interest. At the same time, the expansion of direct flights between major cities of the two countries created even more convenient conditions for travelers.

According to available information, Chinese tourists mainly prefer traditional historical routes covering cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. This indicates Uzbekistan’s steadily growing reputation on the global tourism map.