Approximate Border Location
Border Cities
🇳🇵 Kodari
🇨🇳 Zhangmu
Coordinates
27.98°N, 85.97°E
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Operating Hours
Open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wait Times
30-90 min for pedestrians/vehicles
Peak Times
Mornings (9-11 AM), weekends
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles
Daily Crossings
~2000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Nepali, Chinese, English
Currency Exchange
Available near Kodari (NPR, CNY)
Connectivity Options
Limited Wi-Fi, 3G
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Generally safe, high-altitude risks
Emergency Contacts
🇳🇵 100 🇨🇳 110
Google Maps Location
Country Information
About Kodari & Zhangmu
Important Note: A Closed Border
The border crossing at Kodari, Nepal, which connects to the Chinese port of Zhangmu (also known as Khasa or Dram), is currently closed to all travelers and trade. It was once the most important and popular land gateway between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. However, the devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015 caused massive landslides that destroyed the road and the town of Zhangmu. While some trade has intermittently resumed, the border has not reopened to international travelers, and there is no indication that it will in the foreseeable future. All overland travel between Nepal and Tibet is now routed through the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong crossing. This guide is for historical and contextual purposes only, describing a once-great crossing that is now a ghost of its former self.
The Kodari-Zhangmu Crossing: The Friendship Bridge
The Kodari-Zhangmu crossing was, for half a century, the premier overland route to Tibet. It is the terminus of the Araniko Highway, the first modern road connecting Kathmandu to the Chinese border, which was built with Chinese assistance in the 1960s. The border itself is the “Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge,” a simple structure spanning the Bhote Koshi river as it roars through a deep, subtropical gorge. On the Nepali side is the small village of Kodari. On the Chinese side, the town of Zhangmu clung precariously to the steep canyon walls, a chaotic, bustling boomtown that served as the entry point to the high Tibetan plateau. For thousands of travelers, crossing the Friendship Bridge and ascending the winding road from the lush green gorge of Zhangmu to the arid, high-altitude plains of Tibet was one of the most dramatic and unforgettable journeys in the world. It was a physical and cultural passage of immense significance.
A History of an Ancient Route and a Modern Highway
The route through the Kodari gorge has been a traditional trade path between Nepal and Tibet for centuries. It was a key channel for the exchange of salt from Tibet for grain from Nepal. The construction of the Araniko Highway in the 1960s transformed this ancient footpath into a major strategic and economic artery. It was a project of immense geopolitical importance, providing China with its first all-weather road access to a friendly southern neighbor and giving Nepal a vital link for trade. The crossing boomed. Zhangmu grew from a tiny village into a sprawling town of hotels, restaurants, and shops, all catering to the flow of tourists, pilgrims, and traders. It became the primary gateway for overland tours to Lhasa and Mount Everest. The Friendship Bridge was more than just a name; it was a symbol of the close and pragmatic relationship between Nepal and China. This all came to a catastrophic end in April 2015.
The 2015 Earthquake and the Closure of the Border
The massive earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015 had a devastating impact on the Kodari-Zhangmu border region. The steep, unstable geology of the gorge could not withstand the seismic shock. The earthquake triggered enormous landslides that completely wiped out sections of the Araniko Highway on the Nepali side and, critically, destroyed much of the town of Zhangmu on the Chinese side. The town was deemed geologically unsafe and was permanently evacuated by the Chinese authorities. The border was sealed indefinitely. The closure was a massive blow to the economies of both regions and completely altered the landscape of overland travel. The once-bustling town of Zhangmu is now a ghost town, and the Friendship Bridge stands as a silent monument to a bygone era of travel. The Chinese government subsequently developed the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong crossing to the west as the new, and now only, international gateway.
The Former Crossing Procedure: A Look Back
For those who crossed before 2015, the procedure was a memorable adventure. From Nepal, one would get an exit stamp at the small immigration office in Kodari. You would then walk across the Friendship Bridge into Zhangmu. The Chinese immigration and customs building was at the top of the town, requiring a steep walk or a ride in a local jeep up a series of switchbacks. The Chinese entry process was thorough, involving detailed checks of passports and visas. After clearing customs, travelers would meet their pre-arranged Tibetan guide and vehicle to begin the spectacular journey up onto the Tibetan plateau. The dramatic change in landscape, from the green, misty gorge of Zhangmu to the high, arid plains of Tibet in just a few hours, was the defining feature of this incredible journey.
Final Contextual Note: A Lost Gateway
The Kodari-Zhangmu crossing is a powerful and poignant story of how nature can overwhelm human ambition. It was, for a generation, the most important link between Nepal and China, a place of vibrant exchange and the starting point for countless adventures. Today, it is a closed frontier, a casualty of a natural disaster. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of the Himalayas and the fragility of the infrastructure built within them. For any traveler planning an overland journey to Tibet from Nepal today, all research and planning must be focused on the new official crossing at Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong. The Friendship Bridge at Kodari remains a famous name in the annals of overland travel, but it is a gateway that is, for the foreseeable future, firmly and irrevocably closed.