Uzbekistan and Kashgar to Expand Tourism Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Kashgar discussed expanding practical cooperation in tourism, including investment projects, the development of historic cities, tourism exchanges and the possible launch of a Kashgar-Samarkand air route. The talks took place during a working visit to China by Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee Chairman Abdullaziz Akkulov, who met with Niyaz Niyaz, head of the administrative body of Kashgar Prefecture. The Uzbek Tourism Committee said.

The meeting focused on Kashgar’s experience in preserving its historic urban environment while developing modern tourism infrastructure. The sides noted that the development of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China is creating new opportunities for cooperation between their regions.

From 2021 to 2025, 134 billion yuan was allocated for tourism development in Kashgar. During the restoration of the city’s old quarter, its historic architectural character is preserved while road infrastructure, water supply and sewage systems, lighting and security are modernized. Gastronomic, commercial and cultural tourism offerings are also being developed, with cultural events held daily.

The sides separately discussed Kashgar’s system for monitoring and managing tourist flows. Data from airports, rail and road transport, hotels, mobile operators and QR-code systems are used for monitoring. In 2025, the city received 5.2 million tourists, while employment in the tourism sector reached about 200,000 people.

The mayors and city leaders of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand took part in studying Kashgar’s experience. During the visit, direct contacts were also established with Kashgar’s mayor, creating opportunities for further exchanges of experience between the cities.

The participants discussed expanding investment cooperation and attracting companies and investors from Kashgar to tourism projects in Uzbekistan. Potential areas include the development of historic cities and tourism zones, as well as the construction of modern hotels and entertainment complexes.

The sides also proposed exchanges of experience among specialists working in historic-area management, tourism services and tourist-flow regulation.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening tourism links between Kashgar and Uzbek cities. The possibility of opening a Kashgar-Samarkand air route was proposed.

Following the talks, the sides agreed to continue work on increasing tourist exchanges, implementing investment projects, sharing experience and developing direct ties between regions.

As part of his visit, Akkulov also visited historic and tourism sites in Kashgar. In the Ancient City of Kashgar, the Uzbek delegation observed its opening ceremony and studied approaches to managing, operating and developing the site as a tourism destination.

At the Gaotai historic residential complex, the delegation examined experience in reconstructing, preserving and protecting historic cities and sites popular with tourists in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The delegation also visited Xiangfei Park, where it studied approaches to combining culture and tourism, using cultural heritage sites for tourism purposes and creating an attractive environment for visitors.

The approaches studied in Kashgar are planned to be taken into account in developing the tourism potential of Uzbekistan’s historic cities, increasing their attractiveness and improving tourism infrastructure.