Is China’s Shenzhen the blueprint for Kazakhstan’s Alatau city?

In early 2024, Kazakhstan adopted a decree upgrading the village of Zhetygen in the Almaty region to a city of regional significance and renamed it Alatau, meaning «Bright Mountains.» The newly designated city has since become Kazakhstan’s flagship urban development project, with China’s Shenzhen allegedly serving as a model.

Officials plan to transform Alatau into an export-oriented trade and logistics hub. It will be included in a special economic zone (SEZ), with more than 170 projects valued at approximately $24 billion. These initiatives are expected to create 110,000 new jobs and, once fully operational, contribute an estimated $90 billion to the national economy.

Now a budding megacity, Alatau spans 88,000 hectares, making it larger than Almaty, and incorporates 12 former villages as well as part of the city of Qonaev. Roughly 52,200 people currently live within the planned city limits.

A model to follow, an investor to attract

Shenzhen is renowned for its rapid economic rise, transforming from a fishing village into a global technology and manufacturing hub. While Kazakhstan has not formally adopted a «follow Shenzhen’s example» policy in official documents, there are clear indications that the country is closely studying China’s experience in developing Shenzhen.

Kazakh officials have stated that they are exploring international models for the development of Alatau. Leading experts from Singapore and China — nations recognized for their achievements in urban planning, infrastructure and smart city technologies — are actively involved in shaping the city’s strategies.

Notably, in November 2024, during a meeting with Qu Jian, vice president of the China Development Institute (CDI), a prominent Shenzhen-based think tank, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev expressed the country’s interest in Shenzhen’s success as an SEZ. He said Kazakhstan is eager to collaborate on the development of the new city of Alatau and hopes to engage the CDI as an advisor and consultant.

During the Astana International Forum (AIF) in May 2025, Bozumbayev announced that detailed planning for each district and micro-district of Alatau would begin in the summer. This includes the development of district construction plans, as well as the first buildings and infrastructure. «It’s not just about the special economic zone — Alatau should be granted a distinct status,» he said, noting that authorities are actively working with the China Regional Development and Planning Institute (CRDI), a Hong Kong-based consultancy specializing in regional economic development.

By fall, Kazakhstan expects to finalize the concept of Alatau as a city with special status. The goal is to create optimal conditions for investors, ensuring a comfortable and appealing environment. Measures include a visa-free regime and provisions allowing foreign nationals to purchase real estate within the city.

Kazakhstan’s efforts to attract foreign investment in Alatau place a strong emphasis on Chinese capital. Discussions have taken place with major Chinese firms regarding investment in transport, logistics and industrial infrastructure, particularly in support of the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

Shenzhen’s transformation at a glance

Shenzhen, located in southern China’s Guangdong province, is a striking example of rapid economic development. Once a small fishing village with a population of about 30,000 in the late 1970s, it has grown into a sprawling global metropolis of more than 17 million people and a major hub for technology and manufacturing.

The city’s transformation began in the 1980s when it was designated as one of China’s first SEZs under the reform and opening-up policies championed by Deng Xiaoping. This status gave Shenzhen unprecedented flexibility in economic policy, including streamlined business regulations, tax incentives, subsidies and significant investment in research and development.

Its strategic location near Hong Kong helped attract foreign direct investment, initially fueling a boom in export-driven manufacturing. From 1980 to 2004, Shenzhen’s economy expanded at an average annual rate of nearly 28%, according to Hong Kong-based consulting firm Enright, Scott & Associates.

Today, Shenzhen is known as a leading center of innovation and is home to major tech giants such as Huawei, Tencent and DJI. The city’s dynamic ecosystem — characterized by advanced manufacturing, a strong entrepreneurial culture and a steady influx of skilled talent — has made it a global leader in emerging technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

The soon-to-be megacity

The city of Alatau is located north of Almaty, along the A3 highway (Almaty-Qonaev), a key corridor linking Almaty with the international center for cross-border cooperation at Khorgos on the Chinese border. Its location strategically positions it within the New Silk Road initiative.

Situated at the intersection of major trade and transport routes — existing and planned rail lines, international freight corridors and a proposed new international airport — Alatau has strong potential to become a hub for logistics and export-oriented industries. The development is expected to generate significant employment opportunities across the region.

According to the approved master plan, Alatau is projected to become one of Kazakhstan’s largest economic centers by 2050, with a population of approximately 1.87 million. Together with Almaty, it will form a polycentric urban agglomeration.

The city will be divided into four core zones:

• Gate – the financial and business district.
• Golden – a center for education and research.
• Growing – the industrial and logistics hub.
• Green – a tourism and entertainment district.

Alatau is envisioned as a cutting-edge platform for testing and deploying advanced technologies in property technology (PropTech), the low-altitude economy (LAE), urban air mobility (UAM) and institutional digitalization. This approach mirrors Shenzhen’s evolution into a global hub for high-tech industries and innovation.

Speaking at the AIF, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev proposed recognizing cryptocurrency as a legitimate form of payment to boost the city’s global competitiveness.

The government’s ambition is to position Alatau as a hub for tourism, education and international trade.

«We want young people to choose Alatau instead of moving to Dubai or Turkey,» Madiyev said. «With the right regulations and development, that can happen.»