Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wang Na, Correspondent Zhang Nan) news: On the evening of December 9, 2024, Khunjerab Pass welcomed its first cross-border tour group since becoming operational year-round. This 11-member group, hailing from Pakistan, is set to experience a two-and-a-half-day inspection and sightseeing tour in Xinjiang, China.

Khunjerab Pass is located in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and is the only land port between China and Pakistan. Previously, due to the high altitude and snowy weather, the port was open from April to November each year and closed from December to March of the following year. Starting from December， 2024, Khunjerab Pass has transitioned from a seasonal opening to a year-round opening.

Photo taken on December 9, 2024 shows the entry and exit inspection station of Khunjerab Pass has added more channels for tourist inspection to ensure smooth and worry-free travel for visitors. (Photo by Zhang Nan)

To actively and prudently ensure the smooth entry service and support for the first cross-border tour group, the entry and exit inspection station at Khunjerab Pass has formulated duty plans in advance, optimized the customs clearance process, set up guidance posts and tourist information points at the frontier sentry and the inspection hall, and selected police officers proficient in foreign languages to provide full-service support. In addition, in response to the strong winds and cooling weather on the day, the station has collaborated with meteorological, traffic, and medical departments to prepare for emergency plan drills in advance, ensuring the order of port customs clearance and providing enthusiastic, thoughtful, and efficient services to incoming travelers.

The director of the border inspection department of the entry and exit inspection station at Khunjerab Pass, Wang Xiangye, stated that since the beginning of the year, the passenger flow at the Khunjerab Pass has significantly increased compared to previous years. As of December 9, 2024, there have been over 59,100 entries and exits, and over 12,800 vehicles. Travelers from 51 countries and regions have passed through here, including individual tourists and tour groups from China and abroad.

Photo taken on December 9, 2024 shows a police officer proficient in foreign languages provides customs clearance guidance at the duty site of Khunjerab Pass in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhang Nan)

On December 9, 2024, the cross-border tour group was organized by Xinjiang Batie International Trade Co., Ltd. The group will visit the Panlong Ancient Road, Bandier Blue Lake, stone city ruins, and the tourism commodity street in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, experiencing the natural scenery and cultural charm of Xinjiang, and inspecting the tourism routes. Subsequently, the company will also organize tour groups to travel to Pakistan via the Khunjerab Pass. "The border inspection is very fast, and the efficient and convenient customs clearance environment is conducive to promoting the development and growth of tourism enterprises," said Ma Xiaoli, the chairman of Xinjiang Batie International Trade Co., Ltd.

A member of the tour group, who works in the cultural and tourism industry in Pakistan, came to Taxkorgan with the group mainly to learn about the local tourism routes and other tourism resources. He mentioned that such visits serve as an excellent channel for strengthening exchanges between China and Pakistan in the fields of economy and culture. He also expressed his desire to learn from and visit China, and also his intention to promote the beautiful scenery of his homeland to more Chinese tourists, while extending a warm welcome to all to visit Pakistan.

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