IS GYIRONG PORT OPEN TO TOURISTS NOW?
Yes, Gyirong Port has been open to tourists since winter in 2015, BUT it is only open to Chinese and Nepalese tourists till now. Any other tourist from the 3rd county cannot transit via this port at this moment.
WHEN WILL THE PORT BE OPEN TO ALL INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS?
It was once reported by the CCTV (China’s National TV Station) that the Gyirong Port would be open to all international tourists from June, 2016. However, it did not open in June, but still remain closed till now. The open-time not only depends on the progress of post-earthquake reconstruction, but also weather. The rainy season in July & August 2016 caused few landslides near the border both in China and Nepal, which obviously postpones the open-time. As to the exact open-time, no one is sure till official news announced from the government.
HOW ABOUT ZHANGMU PORT? CAN WE STILL TRANSIT THERE?
The old port at Zhangmu was seriously damaged in the earthquake in 2015. Because the town is perched on mountainside in very very deep valley, so it will be very dangerous if there is one more earthquake, as a result, the residents in Zhangmu have all been evacuated to other Tibetan cities. Now there are no people living in Zhangmu except some border armies and policemen. So, tourists cannot transit via Zhangmu, and it will not be open in near future.
WHAT GYIRONG (TOWN) LOOKS LIKE?
Gyirong is a county borders Nepal in the southwestern corner of Tibet, China. When people talk about Gyirong, normally it refers to Gyirong Town that is only 24 km away from the port on border. The town is not very large but beautifully surrounded by snowy peaks of the Himalayas. The town is full of hotels, restaurants and shops because there are no such facilities at the port. All the traders, businessman and tourists have to stay here. The town sees a construction boom now after the earthquake in 2015 as well as closing of Zhangmu Port. Unlike Lhasa and Shigatse, the climate and environment of the town is very favorable with large areas of green forest and farmland. The town itself has not much to see, but the villages and national parks near the town are worthy of exploration.
HOW IS GYIRONG PORT TO KATHMANDU JOURNEY LIKE?
There are 175km from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu, but it takes around 9 hours to finish due to the tough road condition, more than one third of road is not paved. The road winds up and down along the mountainside and valleys. Though it’s a tiring journey, yet the sceneries on the way are quite nice with great varieties, and part of journey even passes the famous Langtang National Park. Considering it’s a 9 hours’ drive mostly along narrow mountain road, so better to cross the border in the morning or latest before 1PM to avoid night drive. There are 4WD vehicles available after crossing the border; it has capacity of 7 passengers with all luggages on roof-rack. For this journey, it costs USD 25 / RMB 150 per person; you can buy the tickets near the Chinese Customs Building or at the Nepalese Immigration office.
