Twelve cars carrying over 30 Chinese and Russian journalists left Beijing for Moscow on Tuesday to mark Russia Tourism Year.

The road trip is one of hundreds of events scheduled to mark the year, which was initiated by both countries to promote cultural communication and understanding.

Alexander Radkov, head of federal tourism agency Rosturizm, said at a launching ceremony for the trip that tourism is an important bridge for deepening mutual understanding between the Chinese and Russian people.

Radkov said he hopes the road trip will boost non-governmental exchanges between both countries.

Radkov said the two countries have great potential in developing the tourism industry, citing the 840,000 trips to Russia made by Chinese people in 2011 and the 2.4 million trips to China made by Russians the same year.

Zhu Shanzhong, vice director of China's National Tourism Administration, said the trip will allow the journalists to learn more about the tourism resources and cultural landscapes of both countries.

The group will drive 15,000 km and pass through more than 20 Chinese and Russian cities to reach Moscow on July 3.

The Russia Tourism Year is the third activity of its kind to be held between China and Russia, following the Sino-Russian National Year and the China-Russia Year of Language held in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

A China Tourism Year is expected to be launched in Russia in 2013.