When I crossed this border in 1997 i from Nepal to China, I didn't have much hassles. I was told by everyone in Katmandu it was impossible, but reality was very different - some minor arguements and white lies, easily brought us into China.
I have recommended people to give it a try since then and, as far as I remember, a total of 9 cyclists have managed to get over the border. Now the situation is different.
Quite a few cyclists have asked me about this border this spring and I have as usual told them how I did it and recommended to do the same. Unfortunately that didn't work out at all and the ones who tried was stopped and sent back at the Kodari/Friendship Bridge.
Here are the mails.
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Hi Janne I am back in Kathmandu. We tried to cross the boarder to China but they didn't let us in. Two hole days we tried but no sucess. Bad luck. Now we are back in Kathmandu and here I met some other cyclist because you send me their emailadress - thanks a lot. So we organized a spezial tour. We have 20 days time to reach lhasa. We pay 260 USD each (a lot but otherwise I would also have to book a tour to cross the boarder). We will get a truck and guide how is following us. In Lhasa we are free and I will go on again allone to Kunming or Chengdo. Have a nice time Urs
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hi, i am now since 2 weeks in kathmandu, got after the chinese "international labour day" holiday without any problem a 3 month visa. but on the same day urs guggisberg and 2 other cyclist came back from the border, they even could not pass the soldiers on the bridge. as we are 9 cyclists here, at the moment, we tried to organise a tour and it seems we suceeded today. we got a 20 days tour with jeep accompany & guide for finally 7 persons for 260 us$ / person. it is quite anoying to sponsor the chinese, at least it seems to be a possibility to keep on cycling. here is also a german couple, who got a 6 month china visa in bonn, cheap & fast, don't no if they give it also to foreigners, you may know or check it. ciao, joachim
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2002-12-09
Janne,
Itīs amazing, but itīs
nearly a year since I started planning my trip. Iīm
Contrary to rumours the
Maoists werenīt a problem at all. They keep blowing
So, I returned from
Kodari to Kathmandu, took a plane to Kathmandu, hiked
Permits are still
necessary theoretically, but nobody checks for them on the
It was a great trip.
Thanks for your information, which was really helpful.
Happy trails,
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