A Trip to China Instead of a Typical Corporate Dinner
As the end of the year approaches and people get into the holiday spirit, the usual office debate starts: “What should we do for our corporate party?”. We decided to break the tradition this December and headed to China. It was a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure—handling a few work matters while enjoying a short getaway.
3 Cities in 4 Days
The TrueMasters.kz team hit the road with five people: Shyngys, Dimash, Dastan, Salimbek, and myself. We traveled light—just backpacks, no checked luggage. Throughout this story, I’ll mention our main expenses per person. Our route was as follows:
- Flight: Astana to Almaty
- Taxi: Almaty to Zharkent
- Bus: Zharkent to Khorgos
- Taxi: Khorgos to Yining (Kulja)
The flight from Astana to Almaty cost about 60,000 KZT. We landed in Almaty at 2:00 AM. Huge thanks to Nauryz for meeting us and taking us out for tea. We grabbed a bite and waited for Yandex.Intercity to start accepting orders. We booked two cars and reached Zharkent by 8:00 AM, which cost around 5,000 KZT per person. In Zharkent, we stayed at Shyngys’s family home. Shyngys’s mother and grandmother prepared a wonderful dastarkhan and gave us a very warm welcome—a big thank you to them!
Our hospitable breakfast in Zharkent
Afterward, we visited the Merey Center to film a video report on their work and gather feedback on the audio therapy program developed by True Masters. It was a highly productive meeting; the specialists using the program shared positive reviews and valuable recommendations for expanding its features and adding new audio lessons.
Hot Springs in Chundzha
Next, we headed to the bus station planning to cross into China, only to find out that the Kazakh border was closed due to the holidays. Without wasting a moment, we decided to visit the hot springs in Chundzha instead. I had heard many times about their health benefits, and it turned out to be the perfect time to go. We drove to Chundzha in about two hours. After checking a few resorts, we settled on Eco Park. After some negotiation, we secured a cozy cottage with its own pool and kitchen for 105,000 KZT. I don’t have many photos from there, but I’ll be posting videos on my Instagram, so don’t forget to follow!
Crossing into China by Bus
After a relaxing time at the hot springs, we returned to the Zharkent bus station to buy tickets for the Zharkent-Khorgos bus. A ticket costs 5,000 KZT. The process is simple: just head to the ticket office with your money and passport. No visa is required (for Kazakhstani citizens), but we had to fill out an electronic health declaration before boarding. The buses are a bit old, but perfectly fine for a short trip.
A great thing about the crossing is that the bus driver acts as a guide, keeping an eye on everyone and helping out. On the bus, I chatted with a young couple—ethnic Kazakhs living in Yining who frequently visit relatives in Kazakhstan. They recommended a few must-visit spots in the city. At the border, you exit the bus for passport control (first Kazakh, then Chinese) and then re-board. They ask a few simple questions regarding the purpose and duration of the trip. The entire journey from Zharkent to the city of Khorgos in China took about 4 hours.
From Khorgos to Yining by Taxi
Outside the Khorgos bus station, plenty of taxis are waiting to take you around the city or to Yining and even Urumqi. The five of us hopped into a minivan driven by Kairosh, an ethnic Kazakh. We chatted in Kazakh along the way and reached Yining in about 45–50 minutes for 50 Yuan.
Exploring Yining (Kulja)
Upon arriving in Yining, we immediately went for a walk to see the city and stopped by a local shop to try some Chinese sweets. In the Liuxingjie district, we visited a local cafe and tried a signature chicken dish, various salads, and dessert.
A local chicken specialty
The 24-Hour Spa in Yining
You might have heard of the 24-hour Chinese bathhouses. We decided to visit one called 伊宁市水粒方水汇. It’s a fascinating concept: a massive complex where you can stay for 24 hours. It features pools, saunas, massage areas, gaming zones, billiards, table tennis, a bar, a cinema, and various themed lounges. The entry was 120 Yuan, plus 19 Yuan for a late-night dinner.
Late-night dining at the Chinese spa center
The next morning, we continued our tour and went to the Kazanqi district. It’s a beautiful tourist quarter, though it’s a bit quiet in the winter. After a walk around the city, we called Kairosh and headed back.
Kazanqi tourist center in Kuldzha
Recommendation
Overall, it was a fantastic trip, made even better by traveling as a group of five. Yining and Khorgos are in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, so you’ll see many Kazakhs, Uyghurs, and Dungans. You’ll hear the Kazakh language quite often on the streets. However, if you decide to go, be sure to buy a local SIM card or activate roaming—internet access will make your communication much easier.
P.S. If you are looking for software, website, or mobile app development services, feel free to contact us at TrueMasters.kz.
We also assist in sourcing and delivering electronics and equipment from China in the shortest possible time. Let’s build something great together!