Trilateral Tourism Pact: China, Russia, and Mongolia Ink Tea Road Development Plan to Boost Cross-Border Travel

In a landmark move to revive the ancient Silk Road’s lesser-known sibling, tourism ministers from China, Russia, and Mongolia signed the China-Russia-Mongolia Tea Road Tourism Cooperation and Development Plan for 2025-2026 on November 7, 2025, during the 9th Trilateral Tourism Ministerial Conference in Darkhan, northern Mongolia. This agreement, the first formal implementation under the plan’s framework, aims to transform the historic Tea Road—a 17th-18th century trade artery for Chinese tea, Siberian furs, and Mongolian horses—into a vibrant, interconnected tourism corridor spanning the three nations.

Reviving the Tea Road: A Blueprint for Cultural and Adventure Travel

The Tea Road, stretching over 13,000 kilometers from China’s Fujian province through Mongolia’s vast steppes to Russia’s Lake Baikal and European markets, once facilitated the exchange of goods that shaped Eurasian history. Today’s pact leverages this legacy to create seamless, multi-country itineraries blending cultural immersion, eco-adventures, and heritage exploration.

Key initiatives include:

• Joint Tourism Routes: Cross-border trails highlighting landmarks like Mongolia’s Khustain Nuruu National Park for wild horse safaris, Russia’s Transbaikal furs and tea museums in Kyakhta, and China’s Wuyi Mountain tea plantations. Routes will integrate educational excursions on tea trade history, with stops at restored caravanserais and interactive exhibits.
• Integrated Infrastructure: Establishment of the first trilateral tourism office at the China-Mongolia-Russia border, serving as a one-stop hub for visas, bookings, and guided tours. Plans also encompass upgraded accommodations, spas drawing on traditional Mongolian restoration methods, and retail spaces for local crafts.
• Promotional Campaigns: A unified “Great Tea Way” brand to market the route globally, targeting adventure seekers, history buffs, and wellness travelers. Accompanying events include the inaugural “Tea Road International Car Rally” in 2026, combining off-road exploration with cultural festivals to stabilize seasonal visitor flows.

The conference, attended by dozens of tourism enterprises and associations, also hosted a China-Russia-Mongolia travel agents’ meeting, fostering B2B partnerships for packaged tours.

Economic and Sectoral Boost: Opportunities Amid Regional Recovery

This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for Eurasian tourism, which saw a 12% uptick in intra-regional travel in 2024 despite global headwinds. The plan is projected to generate $500 million in annual revenue by 2027, per preliminary estimates from the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, by attracting 1 million additional visitors yearly—primarily from Europe, Asia, and North America.

For Russia, the route connects 18 regions from Transbaikal to St. Petersburg, enhancing domestic and inbound flows amid sanctions-related rerouting of tourists. China’s involvement aligns with its Belt and Road Initiative, positioning the Tea Road as a “high-quality interconnected development corridor” that complements existing Silk Road projects. Mongolia, often a transit hub, stands to gain most: The pact could double its tourism GDP contribution from 7% to 14%, creating 5,000 jobs in guiding, hospitality, and eco-preservation.

Stakeholders hail the agreement as a model for post-pandemic recovery. “This isn’t just about maps—it’s about weaving stories of shared heritage into modern journeys,” said Dmitry Vakhrukov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development, during the signing. Early adopters include tour operators like Russia’s Gazprom-Media and China’s Ctrip, already prototyping 14-day “Tea Trail” packages starting at $2,500 per person.

Challenges and Next Steps: Sustainability in Focus

While enthusiasm runs high, experts caution on execution: Visa harmonization remains a hurdle, with calls for simplified e-visas for Tea Road travelers. Environmental safeguards—protecting fragile steppes and forests from overtourism—are embedded, mandating eco-certifications for all operators. The next ministerial meeting, slated for 2026 in Mongolia, will review progress and expand to digital tools like a unified app for real-time bookings.

As global travelers seek authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences, the Tea Road pact underscores trilateral diplomacy’s role in tourism’s resurgence. For the industry, it’s a timely reminder: Historic paths, when repaved with cooperation, can lead to prosperous futures.

This report is based on official statements from the 9th Trilateral Tourism Ministerial Conference. Tourism Reporter will track implementation updates. For tour inquiries, visit participating national tourism boards.