Samarkand Enhances Tourism Experience with “Chinese Friendly” Initiative

Samarkand, The Gulf Observer: The ancient city of Samarkand is making strides to create a more welcoming environment for Chinese tourists through the “Chinese Friendly” initiative, as reported by NHC. This initiative aims to cater specifically to the needs of visitors from China by providing amenities such as information in Chinese, prompt translation services, product and service adaptations, and specialized staff training.

A key component of the “Chinese Friendly” initiative is the implementation of payment systems familiar to Chinese tourists, which is expected to significantly boost the local tourism industry’s revenue. In collaboration with “Yangi Bank,” Samarkand has introduced the “WeChat Pay” payment system, a widely-used digital payment platform in China with over 1.35 billion users.

WeChat Pay terminals have already been installed at key locations, including the “Silk Road Samarkand” tourist center and Samarkand International Airport. Chinese tourists can now easily pay for purchases, hotel accommodations, and other services by scanning a QR code at these terminals, offering a seamless and convenient payment experience.

WeChat Pay’s integration in Samarkand is seen as a major step in enhancing the city’s appeal to Chinese visitors, providing them with familiar and efficient payment options while exploring the historic and cultural treasures of one of Central Asia’s most iconic cities.