Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Jazira Nisbek) news: On February 3, 2025, the Pamir Plateau was covered in a blanket of white. The Khunjerab Pass, located in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, reopened after a six-day closure during the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake. It welcomed its first batch of travelers and goods, returning to its busy routine.

Photo taken on February 3, 2025 shows an officer at the Khunjerab Border Inspection Station checks the documents of a truck driver in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhang Nan)

"During the Spring Festival holiday, I got together with my family and had a good rest. Now that the pass is open today, I have to get busy. I need to quickly transport a batch of goods that had been piling up for my clients before the Spring Festival," said Chinese truck driver Ahmatjan Saimat. At 11 a.m., he drove his vehicle from Kashi City to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County and was at the Khunjerab Pass to handle the exit procedures.

As the only land port between China and Pakistan, the Khunjerab Pass serves people and vehicles traveling between the two countries for cross-border tourism, family visits, and business exchanges. In 2024, the number of travelers and vehicles passing through the port reached record highs. On the first day of the Year of the Snake, vehicles loaded with daily necessities lined up in an orderly manner to go through the customs procedures.

Chinese traveler Chen Pengyuan was preparing for a trip to Pakistan. "I was the first passenger to complete the exit procedures today. The process was very smooth. I'm excited to experience the festive atmosphere in Pakistan," he said.

To ensure smooth and efficient customs clearance, the Khunjerab Border Inspection Station analyzed data in advance, accurately predicted the peak times before and after the Spring Festival closure, allocated police forces reasonably, and optimized the procedures for handling formalities. This provided convenient and considerate services for travelers.

Photo taken on February 3, 2025 shows officers at the Khunjerab Border Inspection Station process exit procedures for a traveler in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhang Nan)

Zhang Jin, a police officer from the station, said, "Based on the passenger flow forecast, we made full preparations and assigned experienced officers to handle the verification work, ensuring that passengers can be checked and pass through quickly."

The inspection hall of the Khunjerab Pass is 126 kilometers away from the pass, about a two and a half hour drive during winter. While the hall was bustling with activities, the forward outpost officers of the border inspection station had already arrived at the national gate, standing guard in the cold wind.

Police officer Li Shiping is from southwest China's Chongqing. This year, he spent the Spring Festival holiday on duty. What impressed Li deeply was the last night before the Spring Festival holiday. An international shuttle bus that was scheduled to leave the country in the morning rushed back to the border in the evening in order to reunite with their families. The police officers who had already finished work drove three kilometers from the outpost to the border to let it pass.

Li said, "The driver who was eager to return home before the pass closed and the first tourist who successfully completed exit formalities after the pass reopened—they are the warmest signs of life at the border, which sits at an altitude of 5,100 meters. Seeing their satisfied smiles after clearing customs, I feel that all the perseverance and efforts are truly worthwhile."

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