Zhangmu sees influx of travelers to Tibet and out of Tibet

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

As China-Nepal border port, Zhangmu sees influx of travelers to Tibet and out of Tibet. Several thousand tourists and traders are entering and leaving Tibet through Zhangmu, a small town on China's border with Nepal, each day now that the annual travel rush has begun, local authorities said Tuesday.

Zhangmu, located in Nyalam county of Shigatse Prefecture, is 114 km from Kathmandu and, therefore, a major route for international tourists and border residents travelling between China and Nepal.

The port serves as a crucial link for political, economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, as well as a major stopping-off point for those shuttling between China and South Asian countries.

Several thousand people travel between Tibet and Kathmandu through Zhangmu Port every day during the annual peak travel season that lasts from June to October, customs authorities in Zhangmu said.

To shorten the travelers' waiting time, customs officers on the Chinese side have put a bar code on each Nepalese border resident's ID card.

"It takes only 8 seconds to verify a border resident's identity, and a few minutes to go through customs formalities," said Liu Weiqiong, an officer at a checkpoint in Nyalam.

Before the bar code system was adopted, he said even border residents had to wait for hours.

Last year, Zhangmu Port saw 1.6 million entries and exits, including 1.5 million made by border residents, according to figures provided by the Nyalam checkpoint.

Border residents from the Nepalese side often travel through the Nepal-China border bridge - also known as the Friendship Bridge, carrying Chinese-made blankets, stuffed toys and utensils from Zhangmu into Katmandu for use and resale.

In the first six months of this year, border residents made 293,441 entries and exits through Zhangmu Port.

Meanwhile, the port reported 29,131 tourist arrivals and departures. By overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu or Kathmandu to Lhasa, tourists can visit many famous cultural and natural tourist sites, like the world’s highest mountain Everest, Sakya Monastery known as the “second Dunhang”, Tashilunpo Monastery seat to the Panchen Lama, Lake Yamdrok which is one of the most famous three holy lake in Tibet, and other tourist sites in and around Lhasa, including Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Namtso Lake, etc.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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