The ancient Silk Road camel caravans have gotten a 21st-century upgrade at Horgos, China's busiest overland auto port. Here, a new breed of "ferrymen" are driving Chinese EVs across the border - becoming the modern bridge between East and West.

Thanks to a China-Kazakhstan visa-free pact, these drivers shuttle new cars to Kazakh buyers, then hop on return buses - an ingenious self-drive export model that bypasses traditional shipping. The results speak for themselves: in 2024 alone, companies saved 150 million yuan in transport costs while drivers earned 90 million yuan collectively.
 

More than just cost-effective, this "ferry" system has created a wave of local jobs, transforming ordinary drivers into vital trade links. As each EV crosses into Central Asia, Horgos' modern caravan drivers are writing a new chapter in this historic trade corridor - proving that while the camels are gone, the spirit of connection thrives.