Crossing of Kyrgyz-Chinese border of Torugart (road transport).

The Kyrgyz-Chinese border Torugart is located 550km south from Bishkek city and 180km to north from Kashgar city. An entrance point of both countries departs mountain pass Torugart 3752 m altitude. Since Soviet Union times a border zone with China and from the side of China has been guarded.  That’s why there are following list of demands for entrance which we will describe below.

Useful information

Working time of Torugart border (China side).

Monday to Friday-                        10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (working time, time Beijing)

Rest for lunch 3 hours 30 min-      5 pm-7:30 p. m      (working time, time Beijing)

Saturday and Sunday are not working days.

Kyrgyz side is working from 8 a.m.-17 p.m.

As the Chinese border closes on weekends our border also is not working.

Sometimes Chinese travel agency can prepare a special permit if you apply 3 month in advance with viscous justifications why you need to cross it in not working days. But we don’t guarantee you will get it, it depends on individual case.

Torugart and Irkeshtam border questions (Kyrgyz side)- +996 312 60 71 44

Dates of border opening and closing of Chinese border Torugart and Irkeshtam 2016 year. 

Every holiday superiors from Chinese and Kyrgyz borderlines meet and discuss when and for how many days to close Сhinese-Kyrgyz border. It depends on many factors (days of week, Chinese and Kyrgyz traditions, holidays). Therefore it is better not to rely on this list of borderline working. Surprise can happen anytime.

From the side of Kyrgyzstan to direction to China.

To get Kashgar across Torugart border you will need: functional Chinese visas, passport with expire date no less than 6 month. From the side of Kyrgyzstan till Torugart border there are 4 checkpoints. The first checkpoint checks passport and visa, a list of tourists (if it is a tourist company), the second checkpoint checks only passports and compares photo in passport with the passengers in car, the third checkpoint checks a luggage with documents, the fourth checkpoint these are border guards and custom officials, here you have to x-ray your luggage in scanner. After finishing all 4 checkpoints we go back the car and go up till the pass where we can see big gates to China. That’s border. It’s allowed to get only till the main Chinese gates there is no need to walk. From the other side we’re awaited by people from China. Border guard of China will check your passport, visa and let you go in the Chinese territory. After this you get in the car and go about 110 km where Torugart custom checkpoint is located. You will need to take the luggage out and put it in scanner device. After this you go back the car. This was first check. In one hour of driving you will need to go through one more check but from the side of border guards, doctors here you will be put a stamp about country entrance. After this you will have to go forward 60km more to get Kashgar.

Warning!!!

-            Photo and video are strictly prohibited, if you take picture especially in border zone your camera will be taken away.

-          You may reach the chinese border or go back by bicycle without problems (but you need to legalize border entrance pass for movement in border zone by bicycle. On pre-border territory of China you must move only by car of Tourist Company of China.

-            From the Chinese side you have to be met obligatory by representative of Tourist Company. Without this condition it is impossible to cross Torugart chinese border part.

-           If you travel from China to Kyrgyzstan you must note: without Kyrgyz visa in your passport you are not allowed to go out of China. The chinese citizens cannot go to Kyrgyzstan by tourist visa only by business visa.

        If you ride a bike, you need to have a confirmation letter from the Chinese side that they will meet you .

On the Torugart you must be accompanied by a licensed guide from the Chinese side.

Without this it is not allowed to move on the Chinese side, sometimes guide comes himself driving to the border.

        Torugart border crossing: from Kashgar to Torugart
You need obligatory a transfer to Torugart pass. After 70 km you arrive in immigration office where they put exit stamps in your passport. Then after 100 km you arrive to the gates, chines will check once more your passports and you can go. You cross nomans land with your Kyrgyz driver, after some kilometers you get into Kyrgyz immigration office; they put stamps, and check your luggage. After you need to cross 4 military checkpoints, they will just look to your passports. If you are in a list of non-visa countries don’t worry, you can cross Torugart pass.

Closed border for foreigners.

There used to be a conflict between the Soviet Union and China concerning to border argues. The Soviet Union considered that China may send an army and reach Kazakhstan, Ala-Too Mountains (the north part of Issykul Lake) and a part of Kyrgyzstan was very sensitive from military point of view. Travels to Kyrgyzstan were restricted for tourists, travels on border between two countries were strictly checked even local people had to have a special stamps in passports for movement within the border territory. After break up of the Soviet Union disagreements between Kyrgyzstan and China decreased   but still exist. In 1999 approximately in 10 years after independency border guards were Russian militaries but now they are changed into Kyrgyz border guards.

Problems with Torugart cross border.

According to law crossing border may be held only between citizens of Kyrgyzstan and citizens of the Folk Chinese Republic, foreigners should have travel permit which is given by tourist company received in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Urumchy city for border zone cross, but on border citizens should be met by representatives of tourist company obligatory, foreigners should not take its own transport in China (without receiving 3 month permission on own transport beforehand which is very expensive).

“The second category” is is given for border cross. There are no conveniences it’s controlled by special laws for example border is closed on weekends and special holidays.

In spite of the fact that there is no need to have “permission” from Kyrgyz power to cross Torugart, but the vicinity in Torugart area is considered to be border zone in case you would like to make stop at Chatyrkul Lake or Ak-Say valley you need special permission. If you have Chinese visa you’re allowed to travel on the road between external checkpoints, custom house and emigrational checkpoint without special “border zone permission”. Consequently, one needs help for tourists then they cross the border. One should have special lists of tourists, guides and drivers must have special Pass.

In 2003 it was accepted an agreement between Chinese and Kyrgyz government which established visa regime for citizens of both countries. As the result guide and driver should have Chinese visa to cross emigration and custom point. There are special rules now in Torugart (august 2003) so, a guide and a driver can move with tourists between post and border, this permission does not work in Irkeshtam border cross.

Transport to Torugart. You may contact with us or CBT Naryn. In season the transport to Torugart is always accessible, the price depends on quantity of people in car.

Necessary documents (please, note that all mentioned is necessary for only tourists who go by his own, with the help of Tourist Company it will be much easier as company is in charge.

Traveling from Kyrgyzstan in China, the Kyrgyz government will demand from you:

Your Kyrgyz visa

Your registration from OVIR. If you go to transit from Almaty or Tashkent and you may show that you stayed in country no more than 3 days you won’t have any problem. If you can’t prove it. Registration of OVIR is not difficult and expensive to get in Bishkek of Naryn or other cities. (Citizens of 28 countries are free from registration of OVIR they won’t have a problem if they don’t have a stamp in passport.

Your chinese permission to cross Torugart (Kyrgyz side possibly will ask you to leave the country but not always, chineese side may not allow you to cross post located in several kilometers along the road and may demand you to get back).

Your chinese visa.

They will ask you to fill in custom declaration (possibly two) forms of declaration may be in Russian language.

Be ready to problems if you have something missing from mentioned above. Without permission visa you won’t be entered as you are returned by the Chinese. Without registration in OVIR you will have to pay fine.

The chinese will ask visa and permission for crossing Torugart later you will have to fill custom declaration, emigrational form and form of state of health. Forms are in chinese and English languages but chinese guide will help you.

Travelling from China to Kyrgyzstan: you also have to use of service of chinese tourist company. The company will organize for you travel permit which is included in transfer price. You should not go to the border by yourself or by bicycle you won’t be allowed to cross the border. The border can be crossed only by car. The governmentn will ask you about Kyrgyz visa (it’s planned to put consular stamp during border cross it means that is possible to get visa on arrival), and you will be asked to fill custom declaration. Also there e is one more requirement that you will be invited and accompanied by Tourist Company.

Time of border cross. We advise you to be on the border till 10 o’clock in the morning. If you arrive to the border after lunch border guards may think that you couldn’t cross the border and won’t let you in. Remember in summer season on Friday it’s a huge queue to chinese side but on Monday  kyrgyz side.

You will have to give us all necessary information: number, full name, nationality, gender, data and place of birth; data and place of passport receive its expired date, organization that gave you passport and visa details. You may also tell us the date Torugart border cross. It is important as the data will be on permission; although you may delay it its necessary (but please, keep in mind that the chinese must be warned!). You will be met by chinese company on border. They should know when you arrive. If they do not meet you so you will be taken back! It’s true that many could cross border earlier period and keep crossing the border without being met but usually people are sent back! You may organize permission if to warn in several days beforehand sometimes it’s possible to do it for one day even, but than earlier you report than better for you.

Chargeable services

Visa support to China – 60 USD

Checkpoint Pass to Torugart – 10 USD per person

Transport Naryn – Torugart – Kashgar

Transport Kashgar – Torugart – Tash - Rabat – Naryn (overnight in Naryn)

In season every Friday we gather people to take them to Kashgar on Monday we take them back. For more details write to us on website. www.asia-expeditions.net

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