Overland Border Crossings In China

Join the Hipporoller Challenge

Help the Travel Guide reach 20,000,000 characters and we'll donate 63 hipporollers worth over $6000. Read more.

Contributors

• Lavafalls (94%)
  from Silver Drops Jewelry Designs

as well as Hien (4%), Utrecht (2%)

Help contribute to this article to share the ad revenue.

Introduction

Chinese Russian Border

© All Rights Reserved Lavafalls

Taking an overland border crossing into China can be fun. Most of the border crossing in China are at the edge of the empire and show it. Just remember that the regulations for border crossings change frequently and randomly. Also with most Chinese borders make sure you have your visa and other paper work if needed lined up before arrival.

Kazakhstan

There is a year round 24 hour border crossing at Khorgos. There are buses from Urumqi and Yining in Xinjiang to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Remember to get your Kazakhstan visa ahead of time.

Kyrgyzstan

From June to September it is possible to cross the Torugart Pass to Kyrgyzstan. This is a very rough road and it is best to arrange transport from Kashgar. Make sure to have all the visa arrangements lined up before hand and even then there can still be problems. Be prepared for random closures and other unusual events.

There is also a crossing from Irkeshtam, which is south of the Torugart and is considered much easier to get through, meaning that it is hassle-free. Torugart requires prearranged transport and is supposedly a pain to get through but the route is said to be stunning.

Laos

Border Crossing

© All Rights Reserved danalasta

There is a year round border crossing between Laos and China. The easiest way to cross from Laos is to take a morning bus across the border from Luang Namtha to Mengla, China. If going from China take a bus from Jinghong Yunnan to Mengla then take a bus to Lunag Namtha. It is possible to buy a Laos visa at the border.

Myanmar

At this time to cross overland from China to Myanmar is only one way. It requires arranging for transport, a guide and paying for a visa in Kunming. The trip takes several days and crosses some of the beautiful areas of Yunnan. This process is actually more expensive then just flying from Kunming to Yangon or Mandalay.

Mongolia

The only open border for foreigners to cross is at Erenhot Inner Mongolia. This dusty town has little town has little to offer other then being the jumping point between Inner Mongolia China and Mongolia. There is a train line but on the Chinese side the train only runs a few days week. On the Mongolian side there are multiple trains a day to Ulan Bator. The best ways to get there or leave on the Chinese side are long distance sleeper buses. There are many buses a day to Beijing or Hohhot from the bus station. One cool feature is on the highway out of town there are many large bronze dinosaur sculptures for a few kilometers.

Nepal

Border Chaos

© All Rights Reserved jacquiedro

Transports can be arranged between Lhasa and Nepal during the summer time. In order to do this you must hire a driver and a car in Lhasa that will drive you to the border. Most people arrange a few stops along the way, such as Mount Everest. If traveling from Nepal you must arrange transport, a guide and a group visa, which can be a group of one. There is a Nepali Consulate in Lhasa.

North Korea

It is possible to cross overland into North Korea. This must be done with a prearranged tour in Beijing. Many times travelers to North Korea fly in one way and take the train out the other way.

Pakistan

From May to early November it is possible to travel over the Karakoram Highway to and from Pakistan and Xinjiang, China. The Khunjerab Pass is one of the highest in the world at 4800 meters. It is best to arrange transport in Urumqi or in Kashgar. Remember to have your Pakistani visa ready before you arrive.

Russia

Manzhouli Train platform

© All Rights Reserved Lavafalls

Officially you can only take the train across the border at Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, although if you have the proper Russian papers one can walk across pretty easily. Remember that visas must be arranged in Beijing first. Also the town of Manzhouli is pretty interesting and might be worth a day or two. The grasslands surrounding the town are some of the largest natural prairies left in the world.

Vietnam

Crossing at Friendship Pass, between Vietnam and China, is very easy. The border is open every day of the year 7 am to 4 pm. The best way is to arrange transport from Hanoi to the border. After crossing the border take a mini bus to Pingxiang in Guangxi Province. From there it is very easy to buy a bus ticket to Nanning, which run every half an hour all day long.