Jimunai Border Port in Altay, Xinjiang

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) is a national-level land port located in Jeminay County (吉木乃县) in the Altay (阿勒泰) region of Xinjiang (新疆), China. It serves as a key border crossing between China and Kazakhstan, and is strategically positioned at the junction of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, making it an essential gateway for international trade along the northern Silk Road economic corridor. The port has a rich history, spanning over 100 years of trade, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating economic and cultural exchange between these countries.

Location and Accessibility

Jimunai Port (吉木乃口岸) lies at the foot of the Altai Mountains (阿尔泰山) in Xinjiang’s Altay region, with coordinates at 85°43′ E and 47°33′ N, and an average elevation of approximately 770 meters. The port is located 24 kilometers from Jeminay County (吉木乃县), 200 kilometers from Altay City (阿勒泰市), and 760 kilometers from Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), China’s capital of Xinjiang. The Kazakhstan counterpart is located 60 kilometers to the west, and the port is a major hub for cross-border transportation and trade.

Historical Background

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) has a significant historical legacy, having been an active trade route for over 100 years. Initially, it served as one of the six main trade routes between Xinjiang and Russia during the early 20th century. In 1917, a postal exchange station was established by the governments of China and Russia, marking the beginning of official trade.

However, trade came to a halt in 1962, when the port was closed. The port reopened temporarily in 1991 for goods transport, and in 1992, a formal agreement between China and Kazakhstan led to its reopening as a permanent crossing for people, vehicles, and goods. In 1994, the port officially became a designated foreign trade port, and in 2002, it opened to third-country trade.

Key Features and Development

Economic Significance

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) serves as a vital transit point for trade between China and Kazakhstan, as well as other Central Asian countries. The port is an important link in the northern Silk Road (丝绸之路) and has witnessed rapid economic development since its reopening in 1992.

In 2023, the port handled approximately 210,000 tons of imports and exports, with weekly exports of over 550 vehicles, mostly directed towards Russia and Central Asia. By 2024, the port is expected to see a continued increase in trade volume, with an anticipated annual trade value surpassing 40 billion RMB.

Border and Cross-Border Travel

The port has become a hotspot for cross-border tourism, thanks to the 30-day visa-free entry policy between China and Kazakhstan. Tourists can easily access Kazakhstan’s Zhaishanpo Scenic Area (斋桑泊景区) in just 1.5 hours via international buses. With the rising popularity of cross-border travel, the port has seen a significant increase in tourists, with over 100,000 border crossings in 2024, marking a 194% growth in passenger traffic compared to the previous year.

Practical Information for Visitors

Location and Directions

  • Address: Jeminay County (吉木乃县), Altay Region (阿勒泰地区), Xinjiang (新疆), China. The port is located 24 kilometers from Jeminay County.

  • Opening Hours:

    • Passenger Terminal: 08:30-17:30 (extended during peak hours)

    • Cargo Terminal: 7 days a week, 12 hours a day

  • Border Trade: The border trade market, located near Tuanjie Road (团结路), allows visitors to purchase goods from Central Asia. Travelers can enter under the “three-day visa-free” policy.

How to Get There

  • By Car: The port is accessible by provincial road 315, which connects directly to Jeminay County (吉木乃县) and other regions. The nearest large city is Altay City (阿勒泰市), approximately 200 kilometers away.

  • By Bus: International buses run regularly from the port to nearby destinations in Kazakhstan.

Attractions and Nearby Areas

  • Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) Scenic Area: This area includes the national gate, border markers, and other historical landmarks. It is open 24 hours a day with a 5-star rating.

  • Border Economic Cooperation Zone: Focused on energy processing and cross-border trade, this zone saw a 173.7% growth in industrial output in 2024.

  • Zhaishanpo Scenic Area (斋桑泊景区): Located 60 kilometers from the port, this scenic area is a popular destination for cross-border tourism, easily accessible by international transport.

Amenities and Services

  • Charging Stations: The port is equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles, including brands like NIO (蔚来) and Tesla (特来电), catering to self-driving tourists.

Important Notes

  • Required Documents: Visitors must carry a passport or entry/exit pass. Drone photography is subject to approval.

  • Real-Time Policy: Policies can be checked through the Jeminay County (吉木乃县) government website.

Project Overview

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸), located in Jeminay County (吉木乃县), Altay Region (阿勒泰), Xinjiang (新疆), is a crucial border crossing between China and Kazakhstan. Situated at a distance of only 0.5 kilometers from Kazakhstan’s Maikhabukige (迈哈布奇盖) Port, the port offers a strategic location for trade. It is 60 kilometers away from Zhaishan (斋桑市), 500 kilometers from the capital of East Kazakhstan, Ust-Kamenogorsk (乌斯卡缅市), and approximately 620 kilometers from Russia, making it an essential gateway for regional trade.

The port is located in a high-altitude region rich in mineral resources, but lacking in fruits, vegetables, and general goods. Thus, it largely relies on imports. Moreover, with the rapid development of tourism in the Altay region (阿勒泰地区), increasing numbers of visitors from both countries cross the border for sightseeing, presenting vast potential for inbound and outbound tourism. The port area currently has a population of only about 1,300, and its land area spans 0.5 square kilometers.

In response to local development strategies, Jeminay County (吉木乃县) aims to extend the border trade market, which will further boost Jimunai Border Port’s economic growth.

Project Scope and Investment

The new border trade market will cover an area of 23,000 square meters, including 116 commercial stalls primarily offering groceries, general merchandise, and vegetables. The project also includes the construction of a large trade center, an entertainment facility, a star-rated hotel, real estate development, and a dedicated area for Kazakhstan-specific products. The estimated investment for the project is 52.5 million RMB.

Market Analysis

In 2007, the total import and export volume of Jimunai Border Port reached 187,000 tons, with 17,000 tons of exports and 1,700 tons of imports, resulting in a trade volume of 44.81 million USD. The Kazakhstan side is eager for the construction of a comprehensive trade market that can meet the supply needs of both Kazakhstan and the surrounding regions. Once completed, the new border trade area is expected to handle 300,000 tons of goods annually, accounting for over 60% of the port’s total traffic, and generate a trade volume of approximately 720 million USD.

Economic Benefits

The projected annual income from the project is 8.75 million USD, with an investment return rate of 20% and an expected payback period of 6 years.

Progress and Collaboration

The project planning has been completed, and potential investment opportunities exist in various forms, including sole proprietorship, joint ventures, and other partnership models such as BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) or TOT (Transfer-Operate-Transfer).

Tourism Development

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) has consistently prioritized attracting investments, with a special focus on outbound tourism from Jeminay County (吉木乃县). After multiple rounds of discussions with East Kazakhstan’s tourism enterprises and field inspections, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Tourism Bureau of Jeminay County and the Eastern Kazakhstan Tourism Company.

Cooperation Details

Both parties expressed a commitment to establish a monthly or more frequent exchange program, with a focus on “information sharing, experience exchange, and discussions on tourism cooperation challenges.” They aim to collaboratively plan and develop tourist attractions in East Kazakhstan, including Zhaishan Lake (斋桑湖) and Mahaguli (马哈古力), and improve tourism reception facilities. This partnership marks an important milestone in utilizing the natural environment to boost tourism and enhance the development of outbound tourism in the Altay region (阿勒泰地区).

The success of this collaboration will complement the greater Kanas (喀纳斯) tourism circuit and bring new highlights to the region’s tourism industry.

Current Development and Economic Performance

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) has seen significant improvements in infrastructure, with road expansions, green space development, and the renovation of facilities. The port handled about 75,000 tons of goods from January to June 2007, marking a 27% growth compared to the same period in the previous year. The total trade value reached 1.1 billion RMB, with 42,918 inbound and outbound travelers. Export growth was particularly strong, and large quantities of vehicles and machinery were shipped across the border.

Transport Infrastructure

To meet the increasing demand for logistics and trade, Jimunai Border Port has accelerated its infrastructure upgrades. In 2007, investments totaling 2.3 million RMB were made to widen roads, enhance the port area, and improve the port’s comprehensive functionality. The construction of a new trade building with an investment of 30 million RMB, housing offices, business spaces, and dining facilities, has already commenced.

In 2023, Jimunai Border Port recorded trade volumes of 21 million tons, including approximately 400 tons of imports and 20.7 million tons of exports, contributing a total trade value of 4.04 billion RMB. With increasing vehicle exports and cargo throughput, the port is expected to break previous records in 2024.

Strategic Economic Advantages

Jimunai Border Port (吉木乃口岸) serves as a critical international trade hub connecting China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. With more than 150 years of trade history, the port is one of Xinjiang’s largest land-based ports and the third largest in the region. The port has witnessed impressive growth since its reopening in 1992, with substantial increases in both trade and tourism.

Future Prospects

The demand for agricultural exports, particularly vegetables, is high in East Kazakhstan and surrounding areas, with an annual need of about 1.5 million tons. This provides an opportunity for the local development of facility-based agriculture and optimization of crop production. The area is expanding its vegetable, edible fungi, and medicinal herb cultivation. In 2009, the county plans to build another 100 high-standard greenhouses, with an annual production of 26,300 tons of vegetables.

Additionally, the construction of a refrigerated storage facility at the port allows for the export of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, which has greatly facilitated trade with Kazakhstan. The Jimunai Hongtai Trade Company (吉木乃宏泰商贸公司) plans to export 1,000 tons of potatoes to Kazakhstan in the coming year.