High in the “Heavenly Mountains” of the Tian Shan range, the 1,063-kilometer border between China and Kyrgyzstan is one of the most dramatic and remote frontiers in the world. Following the path of the ancient Silk Road, your journey here is a high-altitude adventure through breathtakingly rugged and sparsely populated terrain.
You have two main options for crossing: the Torugart Pass and the Irkeshtam Pass. The Torugart Pass, at over 3,750 meters, is the more famous of the two but also the more challenging. It requires special permits, pre-arranged transport, and is subject to closure due to harsh weather. The Irkeshtam Pass, further south, is lower, more reliable, and has become the primary route for commercial traffic and independent travelers.
Whichever pass you choose, this is not a simple border crossing. The procedures are lengthy and spread out over many kilometers. On the Chinese side, the main customs and immigration facilities are located in cities far from the actual border line, such as Kashgar or Ulugqat. You should plan for the crossing to take the better part of a full day.
This is a journey for the well-prepared adventurer. The scenery is magnificent, but the conditions are demanding. You are traveling on a route that has been a vital link between China and Central Asia for millennia, and crossing it is an unforgettable experience.