Torugart Pass

Introducing Torugart Pass

Torugart is one of Asia’s most unpredictable border posts. Even the most painstaking arrangements can be thwarted by logistical gridlock on the Chinese side or by unpredictable border closures (eg for holidays, snow or heaven knows what else).

Most of the traffic through the pass is trucks carrying scrap metal and animal hides from Kyrgyzstan, or porcelain, thermoses, beer and clothing from China. The trucks accumulate in huge tailbacks at both sides, for 500m or more in the mornings.

From the Kyrgyzstan customs and immigration station it is 6.8km to the summit. Below this, about 5km away, is a checkpoint, though the main Chinese customs and immigration post is another 70km away.

The Torugart Pass is normally snow-free from late May through to September. The crossing is theoretically kept open all year, but is icy and dangerous in winter. The customs & immigration facilities are open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, but in reality you must cross between 9am and noon. Besides the various customs sheds, inspection pits and immigration offices, there is a spartan state ‘hotel’, though most people who stay do so in basic caravans 1km before the customs area.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009