With China Tourist Visa Resumed,
Tibet Tours for All around the Globle are Available Right Now!

It is the best time to join our Tibet small group tour in 2024 at the best local price.
+ 86-28-81754631
TOP
listicon

The First Tourist Made His Way to Kathmandu via Gyirong Port after Earthquake

November,18 2019 BY Master Kungga Dundruk 0 COMMENTS

the latest Chinese Visa to Nepal via Gyirong Port

The newly-issued Chinese Visa to Nepal from Gyirong Port

On Oct, 29, 2015, the first Chinese tourist who made his way to Kathmandu via Gyirong Port was spotted in a Chinese restaurant in Nepal. Soon, the news of long-expected reopening of Gyirong Port became widespread in the cyber world. As tourists and Sino-Nepal tourism professionals all longed for an early resumption of booming business, Tibet Vista would like to offer some professional advice for tourists who expect to have Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour via Gyirong Port. 

Current Situation in Gyirong Port

The latest scene of transportation in Gyirong port

Vehicles moving through Gyirong Port

No official news clearly indicated that Gyirong Port was reopening to tourists and the transportation was only back in trial operation. On Nov, 2, 2015, the unofficial jeep carpooling was seen heading from Gyirong to Kathmandu. One thing for sure was that as the earthquake recovery works had yet finished, the overland gateway from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu was not officially open. Since Lhasa had temporarily suspended the issue of Frontier Pass and it would be extremely difficult for tourists to go to Gyirong and there were only a handful of buses bound to Gyirong from Shigatse.

In addition, the road condition from Gyirong to Kathmandu was awful and there was no routine commute bus. On top of that, the weather in winter would be likely to cripple the normal transportation even if the physical road condition looked good. As the fuel shortage remained high in Nepal, the overland transportation from Gyirong to Kathmandu and vice versa would be a serious issue. Besides, the cost for jeep rental in Nepal would soar and the fuel supply also became a thorny problem.

For the Tourism Industry

The ecological system of Nepalese tourism was based on a chain of full-fledged services such as accommodation, material supply and transportation, etc. It was these indispensable factors that shaped the booming tourism. The success of Zhangmu port was a good case in point. 

Apparently, Gyirong Port was yet to reach such ideal stage. And understandably it would take a while to have all the necessary stuff in place to see the rebirth of burgeoning tourism in Nepal. To simply put, given the few tourists and off-season in winter, businessmen felt reluctant to venture into the Gyirong to do business during this particular period.

Exact Identity of Such Traveler Was Unknown 

Though the previously mentioned Chinese Visa showed tourists could travel to Kathmandu through Gyirong Port, the exact identity of the visa carrier was not clear. We didn’t know for sure if this man was a staff from Gyirong Port or had used his networking to pass Gyirong Port successfully. 

Zhangmu Port Won’t Reopen in the Near Future

Given the current situation in Gyirong Port and Zhangmu Port, the best option for foreign tourists to travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu would be through flight. Hopefully, Gyirong Port will be open for tourists soon. Please never trust rumors and venture into Gyirong Port yourself.

Master Kungga Dundruk

About the Author - Master Kungga Dundruk

The Lhasa-born prodigy used to study business overseas, and got his Bachelor of Business in Nepal and India before moving back to his homeland. With pure passion for life and unlimited love for Tibet, Kunga started his guide career as early as 1997.

Responsible, considerate, and humorous, he devoted his entire life to guiding and serving international tourists traveling in Tibet. As a legendary Tibetan travel guru with 20-year pro guide experience. Currently, he is working in Tibet Vista as the Tour Operating Director. Whenever our clients run into trouble, he is your first call and will offer prompt support.

Email me about your travel idea

Related Articles & Posts

Have a Question? Ask below or email our travel experts directly at inquiry@tibettravel.org

Question Summary*

Details*

SUBMIT

Please fill in your contact information, we will send you the answer by email

SUBMITCancel

0 Comment ON "The First Tourist Made His Way to Kathmandu via Gyirong Port after Earthquake"

Check All Tibet Travel FAQs Here