The Class B port of the Bianjiang (Frontier) Hotel, established in 1997, is located on Yan'an Road of Urumqi. The 800 booths for foreign trade in the market deal primarily in apparel, household electrical and electronic goods and foods. Three supervision areas have been set up, with over 200 customs holding and inspection depots covering 40,000 square meters. The port has also established market, service and storage and public security departments, and offers a complete array of customer services including food and accommodation, shopping, storage and customs application, inspection and shipping. Each year, the port sees 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles pass through, carrying 160,000 to 200,000 tons of cargo valued at about 4 billion yuan (US$483.3 million). The Bianjiang Hotel Port is now one of Urumqi's larger tourism and shopping centers.
(China.org.cn December 15, 2004)