Bulgan - Xinjiang, West Mongolia - China border crossing 2010 updates

This is interesting news but I am a little unclear as to what is meant by
>It seems, that as long you have made a proper preparation to enter China (taking a travel company if you are traveling by your own car), it should be working.

Did these folks travel in a car that they drove? If so, then in China they would have had to have made all sorts of official paperwork and preparations, arranging their port of entry prior to arrival at the border so as to be met by a Chinese guide. If so, then this probably isn't feasible for most travelers.

Ruth

Hi Ruth
Thanks for your comment.
Yes, they drove their own car, and yes they had a Chinese travel agent arrange all the paper work.
Mark, a travel agent in Urumqi (mentioned by Worldbum) claims he will arrange for a jeep and guide to meet travelers on the Chinese side of the border with all the proper permits.
This procedure is yet to be tested, and reported back on this forum.
Any brave pioneers out there to lead the way?

Dan

I have a vague plan to just stroll up to the border in the next couple of weeks - from the Mongolian side - and see if I can get into China. I'm a multi-entry business person, so I might get easy treatment.

I'll try to let you know.

The Russian media reported last week that the border is open to third country nationals. Apparently the Russians worked this out with the Mongolians and Chinese so that Russian tourists (and Russian tour companies) could do a 'pan-Altai' round trip. It sounds promising, but certainly needs to be tested by a few travelers.

On related note, I recently bought a plane ticket to fly from UB to Hailar (stopping over in Choibalsan), on EZ Nis airlines. So this is now a new route to China. The Choibalsan-Hailar leg of the flight is pretty cheap (T100,000). EZ Nis may need a few days to get your papers cleared with immigration before they can issue you a ticket.

Lastly, anyone trying to get a visa for China in UB should be aware that you now need to show several documents at the embassy - namely three nights accommodation booked in China and transportation tickets in and out of China. The accommodation you can book online, the transport just has to be a printed itinerary. Oh, and get in line early!

Thanks for this update. Although the Russia media may describe this crossing from China to Mongolia as open to third country nationals, the experience of at least one person recently is that he was told that it was only open to Russians, Chinese and Mongolians. Hopefully at some point soon the parties on both sides will make this an international border crossing.

Ruth

Hi I am looking at crossing into China from Mongolia via this route. However i am travelling by bicycle. I am travelling North through central China from Laos then through the Gobi to Ulaanbaatar then west to Bulgan and hopefully back into China before crossing into Kazakhstan. Should be at the Bulgan border crossing March/April 20011. Hope to get a multi entry visa for china. Most of the posts have mentioned a jeep or bus for an escort. Does anyone know if it possible to get the permits and not have an escort. Any advice would be great.

Many Thanks
Chris

Bikeaboutuk
>Hope to get a multi entry visa for china.

What is your passport? Multiple entry Chinese tourist visas are almost unheard of except for US or Australian passport holders who apply in the country of their passport. Double entry are relatively common, however.

Also suggest reading the again the initial post, specifically the sections by worldbum who tried to cross in this direction without an escort. If I recall correctly this border is supposedly open only at specific times of the month and the year.

Ruth

Hi

A few more tips from Susanne and Adrian Oschtwerts, the Swiss couple that tested the Bulgan Takshiken border crossing, driving their own car, at the end of August 2010.

Main points
You have to get the Chinese paperwork arranged by an experienced Chinese travel agent.

They recommend "Spring" email: desert_roses@sina.com
Spring is an experienced tour operator in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China,

It seems that without a car you can not cross.
The border is open 15-30th every months, and open only during the summer.

The latest emails
Hi Dan
Thank you for your support. do be clear, the Bulgan Takshiken was not so easy like it sounds. Therefore, to minimize the disappointment of other travelers, it is suggest that they contact our guide to make further investigations on their needs. Her email is desert_roses@sina.com

Hi Dan
Not so easy means, that you needed the tour operator, it means also, that, after crossing the border, we had to go to Altay in China before continuing our trip (to check our car...) and afterward we could go to the south (300 km for "nothing"). all this is easier in Erlianhot.
The guide is Chinese. She was our guide, she is working for a tour operator, but she knows now, what requirements are needed. She told us, that she thinks, a traveler without car can not cross. but we have heard, that also a Swiss guy made it in a public bus...again rumors...besides, the border is really only open from 15 to the 30 of every month, closed after September, she said. The Mongolian immigration woman at the border told us, that the Chinese resend 2 Israelis, but we don't know if they have been by car or by public bus.
If somebody is really interested in using this border, i recommend to send a short request to the guide mentioned.
Adrian

Thanks for the replies, i will email the travel agents in China and see what they say. We are going to the Chinese embassy tommorrowas well so will see what happens.