Zhangmu Border

At an altitude of 2300 meters on hillside, Zhangmu Town, also known as Dram, borders Nepal to the south. Different from other dry and cold areas in Tibet, Zhangmu is mild and humid because of its subtropical climate. The local people are Tibetan and Sherpa, and since it is the only trading port between China and other southern Asian countries that also allows flow of tourists. You could often see many international tourists of different skins wandering on this small town besides the bustling Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese businessman are always busy. The Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge is only 10 km away from the town, and another 120 km's drive will lead you into Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

The only narrow and crowded road winding through the small border town with modern buildings and old wooden houses scattered, and most houses have gardens on their iron roofs decorated by colorful prayer flags. The booming border trade attracts businessman from inland China, Tibet and Nepal running business in Zhangmu Town. Nepalese merchants export rice, flour, pepper, vegetables, and perfumes while Chinese merchants sell wool, tea, salt and Tibetan medicine. Nepalese even run Nepalese restaurants in the small town, serving Nepalese dishes, instant noodles and beer produced in Nepal.

The China Customs for tourists opens at 10 A.M and closes at 18:00 P.M. It takes about 1 hour to finish all formalities to exit China but also depends on how many people there on that day. And the Nepal visa office is just 100 meters away from the Friendship Bridge, it is very easy to get Nepalese visa, it takes you about half an hour and only costs you USD25.