Riding the Western Europe-Western China Highway (Part 2)

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Europe

We ended our trip at Urumuqi in Xinjiang last time. Today we will drive across the border junction of the Western Europe-Western China Highway and travel from China's Khorgos Port to Kazakhstan.

As an intermediate zone linking the Eurasia Land Bridge, Kazakhstan is one of the most important countries for transit transport. Its geographical position is exceptionally good and essential as this is the first station to extend the New Silk Road.

Before the Western Europe-Western China (WE-WC) Highway was constructed, the road condition was pretty unsafe.

The new highway is 2,787 kilometers long, from Khorgos in Kazakhstan in the east to the Russian border at Kazan. Sections of the road that were nothing but piles of dirt were now freshly molded into a smoothly paved, four-lane expressway.

Highway section of Khorgos Port. /Xinhua Photo

Along the way, service areas have been set up one after another, providing convenience for road trips.

Besides, Chinese citizens can enjoy 72 hours visa-free transition and stay when traveling through Kazakhstan via Astana or Almaty International Airport to a third country or returning from a third country to China via Kazakhstan, from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

City view of Almaty, Kazakhstan. /VCG Photo

As the “greenest city" in the world, Almaty has more than 60 wall-free parks and street gardens. The forest occupancy per capita is more than 90 square meters, meaning the city is a forest itself.

Take a cable car to the Kok-Tobe Mountains in the southeast of the city. You can have a panoramic view of Almaty. At dusk, the sunset will dye the whole city red, and the snow mountain behind you will look even more significant at this moment.

View of Almaty city from Kok-Tobe Mountains. /VCG Photo

When it comes to landmark buildings in Almaty, it must be the Ascension Cathedral. It is a pure wooden church and the second tallest wooden building in the world. The holy statues and murals inside are painted by Russian craftsmen, exquisite as works of art.

The church is located in Panfilov Park, a famous leisure place for local people. You can buy snacks from vendors, take pictures with the pigeons outside the church, or ride around the square in a carriage, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Ascension Cathedral, Almaty, Kazakhstan. /VCG Photo

The WE-WC Highway will enter Russia through the northern border of Kazakhstan. It will be 2,233 kilometers long on the Russian section and go through Orenburg, Kazan, and Moscow and finally reach St. Petersburg, connecting with the European Highway Network.

According to Russia, it is planned to complete the whole highway project by 2020. When this part of the journey is completed, our trip will extend to the snowy mountains in Kazan, the Red Square in Moscow and the cathedral in St. Petersburg to experience a different culture and scenic views.

Red Square in Moscow. /VCG Photo

St. Petersburg is not the end of this highway, but another starting point. The New Silk Road will stretch longer and make it easier to connect the beauty of the world.