Travel from Gyirong to Kathmandu

At the beginning of 2017, Tibet's Gyirong port, which was closed due to the Nepal earthquake for more than one year, has reopened. It's definitely a good news for those who plan to travel to Nepal after their Tibet Mount Kailash or Everest Base Camp tour. Before you go there, learn some basic facts about the overland route from Gyirong to Kathmandu.

Part 1. How to Travel from Gyirong to Kathmandu

Before you start your journey, it is necessary to know the road conditions and advised transport choices from Gyirong to Kathmandu. The distance from Gyirong Port to Kathmnadu is about 170km and it takes approximately 8-9 hours by car due to not good road condition. The Gyirong Port opens at 10AM (Beijing time, GMT+8), which is 8:45 AM (Kathmandu time). After crossing Chinese border at Resuo Bridge of Gyirong Port, you arrive at Nepal side. The Nepalese border armies will firstly check your luggage at their simple tent office. Not far from the tent office is the parking lot for the vehicles doing the Gyirong to Kathmandu transfer business. Most of vehicles are 4WD with a capacity of 7 passengers; Normally it costs about US$ 40-50 per person for this 170km ride. Sometimes, the bus to Kathmandu might be available from here, but that is not advised at all. Because as explained above, the road condition is not so good, bus is not as comfortable as 4WD, and also not that safe due to narrowness of the road in Nepal side.

Travel from Gyirong to Kathmandu - 4WD Vehicles at the border

Part 2. Required Documents to Travel from Gyirong to Kathmandu

To enter Nepal, you need a Nepali visa. About 2km ahead of the Nepalese border is the Immigration Building of Nepal, which is a shabby 3-storey yellow building. The driver will stop here for around half an hour and tourists can go to the 3rd floor to apply for their Nepalese Visa. The Nepal visa costs US$ 25 per person for multiple entries of 15 days, and US$ 40 per person of 30 days. Tourists have to bring one passport size photo and fill the visa application form. It takes 15-30 minutes depends on how many tourists there.

Travel from Gyirong to Kathmandu - Immigration Building of Nepal

Part 3. Tips to Know to Travel from Kathmandu from Gyirong

• It's important to note that the cars from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu passes through Langdang National Park and the Nepal Tourism Administration Bureau MIGHT charge passengers 3390 rupees (about US$ 35), which is the entry and exit fee and it's valid for several days with a formal invoice.
• The belongings that tourists carry must be in compliance with the regulations of China and Nepal. Passengers can't carry excess items listed in declare restrictions of China and Nepal. Also find out which items are prohibited in or out by China and Nepal so you are not accused of smuggling of these items.
• Visitors should as well keep the corresponding invoice for souvenirs, the certification for non-cultural relics, Permit of the Ministry of Forestry and other important documents in case the military police inspects the articles on the way. 
• Lastly, it will be around 5 or 6 PM (Kathmandu time) normally when you arrive at Kathmandu, we advise you better not to book your flight leaving Kathmandu the same day evening, because this route from Gyirong to Kathmandu are likely to be affected by road barriers, landslides, temporary port closure and other factors due to the ongoing reconstruction work and poor management and emergency capacity from the Nepalese government.

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