Khorgos & Khorgos Border Crossing

Google Maps Location Approx

Border Countries

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 🇨🇳 China

Nearest Cities

Dostyk, Alashankou

Coordinates

45.00°N, 82.50°E

Border Type

Land crossing via rail/road

Operating Hours

Open 24 hours

Wait Times

30-90 min for pedestrians/vehicles

Peak Times

Mornings (7-10 AM), weekends

Crossing Types

Pedestrians, vehicles, cargo

Daily Crossings

~7000 travelers/vehicles

Languages Spoken

Kazakh, Chinese, Russian

Currency Exchange

Available near Dostyk (KZT, CNY)

Connectivity Options

Wi-Fi at checkpoints, 4G

Accessibility Features

Ramps, elevators

Safety Information

Generally safe, traffic hazards

Emergency Contacts

🇰🇿 101 🇨🇳 110

Google Maps Location Approx

View on Google Maps

About Alashankou, Dostyk

The Khorgos Crossing: The New Silk Road’s Showcase

The border crossing at Khorgos, connecting the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and the primary gateway for travelers between the two nations. This is far more than a simple border post; it is a massive, futuristic complex encompassing a dry port, a free-trade zone, and a gleaming new city rising from the steppe. The crossing is designed to be a showcase of Sino-Kazakh cooperation, a bustling hub of commerce, logistics, and tourism. The landscape is a mix of rolling foothills and wide-open plains, but the dominant feature is the vast, modern infrastructure of the port itself. Your experience at Khorgos will be one of navigating a large-scale, highly organized, and technologically advanced border, a place that feels like a window into the future of Eurasian transit.

A History of Trade and Transformation

The Khorgos River has marked a boundary in this region for centuries, a point on the northern Silk Road where nomadic and settled civilizations met. For most of the Soviet period, however, the border was sealed and militarized, a point of tension during the Sino-Soviet split. The normalization of relations in the late 20th century saw the original, small Khorgos crossing open, but it remained a minor post. The 21st century and China’s “Go West” policy changed everything. The two governments agreed to create a massive “International Center for Boundary Cooperation” (ICBC), a unique free-trade zone where citizens of both countries could enter without visas to shop and do business. Alongside this, they built the Khorgos Gateway dry port, one of the largest in the world, and a brand new Kazakh city, Nurkent. The old, quiet border post has been transformed into a multi-billion dollar logistical and commercial metropolis, the crown jewel of the New Eurasian Land Bridge.

The Border Crossing Procedure: Organized and Thorough

The Khorgos crossing is the designated point of entry for international tourists. While the process is organized, it is also extremely thorough, especially on the Chinese side. You must budget several hours for the crossing. The border also closes for a long lunch break.

Exiting Kazakhstan: You will first arrive at the modern Kazakh terminal in the city of Zharkent. You will take a mandatory cross-border bus from here (private cars are generally not allowed to cross). Before boarding the bus, you will go through Kazakh exit formalities. This involves a passport check, where the officer will take your white migration card, and a customs inspection of your luggage. The process is professional and relatively quick.

The Bus Journey: The bus will drive you across the several kilometers of no-man’s-land to the Chinese facility. This journey itself provides a view of the immense scale of the surrounding dry port and infrastructure.

Entering China: The Chinese border terminal is a massive, modern, and intimidating building. The process is multi-staged and meticulous.
1. **Health Declaration:** You will first need to scan a QR code and fill out a digital health declaration form on your smartphone.
2. **Immigration:** You will queue for an immigration officer who will carefully scrutinize your passport and your pre-arranged Chinese visa. Visas are not issued at the border. Your fingerprints will be scanned, and a photo will be taken.
3. **Customs and Security:** This is the most intense part. You must put all of your luggage, including handbags and jackets, through an X-ray scanner. You will then likely be directed to a separate room where security officials will take your phone, and sometimes your laptop and camera. They will connect it to a device that scans its contents for prohibited material (e.g., politically sensitive content, religious material, pornography). This is a standard, non-negotiable procedure. The officials will also go through your luggage by hand, piece by piece. They may ask you to turn on your devices. The process is intrusive but professional. Arguing or refusing to comply will result in immediate denial of entry.

The ICBC Free-Trade Zone: A Unique Feature

Adjacent to the main border crossing is the International Center for Boundary Cooperation (ICBC). This is a unique, visa-free zone straddling the border. From dedicated terminals on both the Kazakh and Chinese sides, you can enter this zone to shop in large malls. It is a popular destination for Kazakhs who come to buy Chinese goods. For the international traveler, it is a fascinating, slightly surreal experience, a glimpse into the commercial energy of the border. Note that entering the ICBC is a separate process from crossing the international border. You cannot walk from the ICBC into mainland China or Kazakhstan. You must exit the zone from the same side you entered.

Final Planning Advice for the Showcase Crossing

Khorgos is the only practical and recommended border crossing for tourists traveling overland between Kazakhstan and China. The key to a successful crossing is preparation and a calm, patient mindset. The absolute first step is to secure your Chinese visa from an embassy well in advance. Be aware of the intense security checks on the Chinese side; it is wise to “clean” your electronic devices of any content that could be deemed controversial before you arrive. Arrive at the border early in the morning to give yourself the entire day to process, accounting for the long lunch break. The crossing is a fascinating experience in its own right, a powerful symbol of the shifting economic and geopolitical plates of Eurasia. By being prepared for the rigorous procedures, you can successfully navigate this gateway to the Far East.