Russia and China to open Amur River cable car this year, amid visa-free travel privileges

Russia and China to open Amur River cable car this year, amid visa-free travel privileges
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping tour a photo exhibition by the TASS and Xinhua news agencies, in Beijing, China 20 May, 2026
Reuters/Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov

Russia and China plan to unveil a nearly one-kilometre cable car over the Amur river by the end of the year, the TASS state news agency reported on Thursday (21 May).

An iceberg-shaped cable car terminal is 93% ready, TASS quoted a Russian construction company as saying.

Two gondolas capable of carrying 110 people each would rise up to 70 metres above the Amur river during a two-and-a-half minute journey.

The terminal is expected to include shops, cafes and restaurants, viewing points, a duty-free zone and a border control checkpoint.

The new route should allow people to pass between the two cities in about six minutes, TASS said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they pose for photos before a tea ceremony following their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China 20 May, 2026. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/pool via Reuters
Reuters/Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov

The move comes as the two countries extend visa-free travel privileges to one another after President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing on Wednesday (20 May).

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Previous cooperation

China is also a key buyer of energy from Russia since oil and gas flows from Russia to European countries fell when it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the European Union has tightened visa procedures for Russian citizens, with tourists redirecting their travel to Asia.

In June 2022, a bridge was opened between Blagoveshensk and Heihe.

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