Kazakhstan’s Culinary Delights on Display for Chinese Media
A Chinese media team from Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine, one of China’s leading publications, recently embarked on a culinary exploration of Kazakhstan. The team visited cities such as Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent to delve into Kazakhstan’s rich culinary heritage for an upcoming feature.
During their visit, the group had the opportunity to taste traditional dishes like beshbarmak, a dish made with horse meat and dough, as well as kumys and milk tea with millet. They were able to immerse themselves in the hospitality of the Kazakh people and experience the unique flavors of Kazakh cuisine.
Journalist Liwei Wu expressed their excitement about Kazakhstan’s status as a visa-free destination and its cultural ties with China, which inspired the visit. The team visited national restaurants and bustling markets, evaluating the dishes, service, and ambiance to promote Kazakh cuisine and attract Chinese tourists interested in gastronomic tourism.
Kairat Sadvakassov, the chairman of Kazakh Tourism, emphasized the potential of gastronomy tourism in attracting global travelers, noting that it is one of the most promising sectors for tourism development. Kazakhstan’s recognition as the Most Perspective New Destination 2025 by Tongcheng Travel further solidifies its appeal to Chinese tourists.
In 2024, the number of visitors from China to Kazakhstan saw a significant increase of 78 percent, reaching 655,000. This trend highlights the growing interest in Kazakhstan as a travel destination, particularly among Chinese travelers looking to explore the country’s culinary delights.
