Irkeshtam border crossing

The Irkeshtam pass is a border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and China. It is located near the small village of Irkeshtam in Kyrgyzstan and forms the end of European Route 60 (E60). The border to China is the second important border crossing from Kyrgyzstan to China. The pass is approached from the city of Osh via Sary Tash on the Kyrgyz side and, on the Chinese side, from Kashgar via Ulugqat in the Xinjiang province.



Road conditions on the Kyrgyz side are pretty good as long it's not snowing. On the Chinese side, however, parts of the road are very bad, but road construction is ongoing as of November 2011. It is not allowed for Kyrgyz cars to cross the border, so you have to change to a Chinese vehicle at the border. The border crossing is open only during the day and it is closed on weekends and holidays. Crossing the border can take anything between 1 and 3 hours, so you better be early.

Into Kyrgyzstan
From Kashgar, Bus number 2 heading north will take you a bit out of the city on the right road. Catch a car or truck, get to the intersection of road 309. There are many small villages on the way, after some 40 km you will reach the intersection of Irkeshtam and Tourgart pass. Make it to Ugomchat, !!IMPORTANT!! The imigration office has moved from the border to Ugomchat, you will need to get your EXIT stamp there. However the Imigration is a bit hidden, about 3 km from the town. A local car might just pass it and you will arrive 7 hours later at the border told that you have to go back! (Yes really) You can easily catch a truck from imigration as well, guards will help you. 5-8 hours truck drive to the border. Border closed weekends. Closes early, at 6 - 6:30 Beijing time. At border chinese side there is some kind of accomodation, but also possibility to find abandoned room where you can sleep. The border opens at 11 am beijing time. Guards will get you on a truck across to Kyrgyz side.

Into China
From Sary-Tash, just walk to the road leading to Irkeshtam and hitch. Most trucks will pick up hitchhikers, but most of them will also demand money. The usual fare seems to be 300 som or US5–10.

The border seems to close at 2 pm kyrgyz time. If you arrive too late and it's too cold for camping, you can stay with the locals in Irkeshtam for 100 Som.