TACHENG, China, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Border port cities in northwest China's Xinjiang have seen a boom in cross-border tourism propelled by a visa-free agreement between China and Kazakhstan since it took effect in November 2023. INCREASING TRAVEL ROUTES"This summer, I made two trips to the Alakol Lake in Kazakhstan," said Tao Qin, a Tacheng city resident in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The designation of 2024 as the "Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China" and 2025 as the "Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan" has significantly boosted cross-border traveler traffic through Xinjiang's border ports, including Alashankou. CLOSER COOPERATIONKazakh travel agency Nur-Gany and Xinjiang Tacheng Travel Service Co., Ltd. have been in cooperation on jointly developing cross-border tour routes, including local reception services. "Deep in my heart, the Liuxing Street doesn't only belong to Xinjiang, to China, but also to the world," said Ma.