Irkeshtam border crossing-URGENT question-Chinese Holidays?

Hi,
we're currently in Bishkek and planning to cross to China in 2 days.
As we heard from other travellers the border might be already closed because of Chinese Holidays starting on 1st October. Is it possible that the border closes for 2 weeks now? Does anyone know when exactly?
Most information are confusing,and we don't want to be stuck in Sary Tash for 2 weeks so we appreciate a lot any answer;))

Best regards,
ania and olo

The border does close for the National holiday, but it's a couple days, not weeks.

close untill monday ! I am waiting to come from Kashgar, will se you on the border !

Thanks for info,
we managed to get some facts here as well (at last).
The border does close for weeks sometimes even if you don't believe it. So: Chinese Holidays these year are 22-24th Sep then from 1st Oct for a week (then borders are closed).
If you are about to cross Chinese border you can do it on Monday 27th (for sure) and Tue 28th (probably;). Then it's closed again till 10th Oct. This regards both Irkeshtam and Tourgart passes.
See you on the border Cavachier;))

Then it's closed again till 10th Oct.

Oh shite. I'm screwed.

http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2009/12/08/china’s-releases-2010-national-holiday-schedule.html

"The National Holiday Golden Week will fall from October 1 through October 7, with Sunday, September 26 and Saturday, October 9 set aside as working days."

You're sure the border(s) will be closed that week?

Edited by: TrevorGudsell

What about Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th? Nobody seems to be mentioning these dates? they jump straight from tuesday 28th to Friday 1st Oct.

Butek33 - Where did you get your info from (no doubting you, just wanting to find out about 29 & 30th.)

We have been lucky enough to manage to extend our TRANSIT visa here in Kyrgyzstan because it ended on the 24th, and we only found out that the border was closed on the 22nd. The foreign ministry in Osh were very helpful as transit visas aren't meant to be extended.

No, definitely closed from the first of october. Info from the people of the governmment in Kashgar. Before it is open and it seems it is open today. We are going there to see. If not, for sure tomorrow !

Good luck trevor, at least the way by kazakhstan is not bad and very easy.... (Almaty, Zharkent, Yinning, Urumqi, Kashgar)

Border closed in weekends as well.
For the people who need to stay in Irkeshtam one night, there is hotels/dormitory for 15 per person. And food for 10/15.

Let say, it is the most desolated place on earth ! But people are friendly.
Border open on monday at 11:00 Beijing time (9:00 local time)

Thanks cavachier. Nobody has replied to my thread about visa extensions in Osh but nwmackem's experience looks like good news on that score. Perhaps I won't need to take a hell-ride to Bishkek after all.

Hi there,
we haven't been able to use the internet for few days.
nwmackem: we got the info from Novinomad, they called Chinese side twice to make sure and they told us this info regards both passes. We still got the number to Chinese travel guide that picked us up on the Chinese side of Tourgart so you can check: +8613279717711 (Anwar Taher).
Good luck with your travels!