In May 1994, the government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region approved the establishment of the Nianzigou passenger port. It is located on Heilongjiang Road in Urumqi, with the Long March Small Commodities Wholesale Market to the east and the railway station and the commercial and trade city to the south. Since its opening, about 2,900 square meters of customs holding and supervision depots have been completed, as well as 13,160 square meters of parking area. The port is equipped with such facilities as ticket windows for foreigners, international package delivery service and special inspection areas. Its annual cargo export capacity is now 70,000 tons. Passenger vehicles ply the route between China and Kazakhstan at least once a day each way, with an annual capacity of 7,300 person-times. Some 2,960 freight trains made the journey between the two countries.

(China.org.cn December 15, 2004)