The Bulgan Border Crossing


News for tourists - (originally posted on May 2011)

The Bulgan/Takashiken border crossing  in West Mongolia/China is now open for all passport holders and operates all year round. New options are now available for tourists to combine tours in west China and west Mongolia.

Takashiken/China border crossing administration building
According to Erdenechimeg, International Cooperation officer, at the Office of Customs General Administration of Mongolia -
"The border between Mongolia/Bulgan/ and China/Takashiken/ is an international port open for third party. It operates all year round, and open Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm."


Location and distances
Takashiken (China) is located in the western part of China in the Qinghe County in Xinjiang province. The province capital Urumqi,  is 510km from the border.
Bulgan (Mongolia) is located in the western part of Mongolia in the Khovd province. The province capital Khovd, is 265km  from the border.

Getting there
If you are limited with time, hire a jeep. For budget travelers with plenty of time you can use a non-scheduled public transportation.   
There are mini buses from Olgii to Khuvd. From Khuved find vans to Bulgan or even to the border. They do not have a scheduled time table. They fill up and go, it might take a day or two to fill up.
A shared jeep from Bulgan to the border is 10,000-15,000 per person. 
There is a bus crossing the border when there are people going through. On the Chinese side there are buses between Urumqi and Takashiken. They do not operate all year.
In China the bus from Urumqi to Takashiken is a 12 hour ride and costs about 250 Yuan. 

Map

View Qinghe (China) / Bulgan (Mongolia) Border Crossing in a larger map



Mongolia to China - Regulations
From Mongolia to China - The Mongolians will make sure one has a valid Chinese visa.
Walking Through or cycling is possible. A bus at Takashiken is available for going to Urumqi.   
If you cross with your own vehicle in accordance with the Chinese regulation one should show evidence of a registered Chinese guide waiting on the Chinese side,  this rule is only enforced on tourists crossing into China with their own vehicle.


China to Mongolia - Regulations
From China to Mongolia - to get to the Chinese side of the border you can get by bus from Urumqi. If you hitch-hiking you should attain a Chinese border region permit.(see the road sign below).
You will have to show a valid Mongolian visa.
If your passport demands a visa, there is no way of obtaining a visa at the border.

  
A Chinese road sign on the way to the Takashiken border
 
Transportation across the border
You can walk through or use the shared vehicle.


Driving your own vehicle or riding your bike across the border is permitted, and recently tourists have walked across with no problem.
If you have limited time it is advised to pre-arrange a pickup on each side of the border.

 

Operating Hours
The main purpose of this border crossing is for commercial and mining trucks use. Therefore it operates during work days - open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00.  Note that the border is closed on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays.

Chinese tour operators
To cross from Mongolia to China you may want to make arrangements with a Chinese tour operator. Following are a few which operate in west China.
Qinghe Kanas International Travel Service Ltd.
Xinjiang Overseas International Travel Service.
Spring from Desert Roses desert_roses@sina.com  +86 135 7981 0241

History of the Bulgan/Takashiken border
Historically the Bulgan/Takashiken border crossing served traders transporting goods between west China and west Mongolia.

During the Yuan dynasty founded by Kublai Khan the grandson of Genghis Khan   (13th century AD) this route became an important link to the famous silk road. Trade caravans of silk, tea and other merchandise crossed between East and West on the way to Europe. Up to the 1960's traders exchanged livestock and  agricultural commodities across this border. 

The trade between China and Mongolia deteriorated under the Soviet influence over Mongolia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mongolia became independent from the Soviet (Russian) influence. In July 1989 the border opened  occasionally. Following negotiations between China and Mongolia the border opened for longer periods to facilitate increasing trade and family visits of Kazakhs living on both sides of the border.

Because of its undeveloped infrastructure and remoteness, the border was opened only for two weeks during each of the Summer months. Aside from a few exceptions, the border served only Mongolian and Chinese citizens.

Mongolia is rich in iron and coal ores which are in high demand in China. In 2008 , Mongolia Energy Co., Ltd. decided to invest 20 billion yuan to pave the 360km international road crossings, across the Bulgan/Takashiken border.

In 2009,  Xinjiang Kai Yu Mining Co., Ltd. invested in building a large logistics center in Takashiken including a new minerals customs warehouse, and purchased large trucks to transport coal and iron to China.

With the increase volume of trade and in anticipation of increased tourism the border facilities were upgraded recently to international standards on both sides of the border. Following a mutual resolution signed on October 14, 2010, the border is now (2011) an international border serving all passport holders, and open all year round.
.
Satellite image of the border crossing

View Qinghe (China) / Bulgan (Mongolia) Border Crossing in a larger map

source: http://www.hudong.com/wiki/%E5%A1%94%E5%85%8B%E4%BB%80%E8%82%AF%E5%8F%A3%E5%B2%B8 
for updates see Lonely Planet forum

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about going from China to Mongolia? What permits are needed, if any, and can you take public transportation once you are in Mongolia (e.g., from Bulgan to Khovd)?

Thanks for your help!

To Mongolia said...

Hi

From China to Mongolia - on the Chinese side you should have a border region permit. You should arrive with a local guide. You must have a Mongolian visa in your passport, unless your specific passport does not require one.
Transportation - is yet to be developed. This remote border is mainly used by trucks, so the services for occasional tourists are limited. You can NOT plan on crossing the border walking. It is advised you pre-arrange for a pickup on the Mongolian side, at least to get you to Bulgan. In Bulgan you can hire a jeep or wait for a local van to fill up going to Khuvd. This might take a few days.
This is a remote region with very little going on in terms of services for tourists.

Trampo said...

But how I can to get Bulgan from Hovd or UB? There are any bus routes to the city?

To Mongolia said...

Hi Trampo
There is no regular transport to this border.
You can take a bus from Ulaanbaatar to Khovd. From Khovd hire a jeep.
Once a week there is a van that goes from Khovd to Bulgan town.
Dan

Anonymous said...

Do you have any news if it possible to cross the border without a travel agency? They seem to be quite expensive.

kowabunga said...

PS. I would like to cross from Mongolia to China.

To Mongolia said...

Hi kowabunga

The Chinese require a guide.
The Mongolians are instructed not to let you through to China if you do not have a guide waiting for you on the Chinese side. They will check by phone to the Chinese side. The guides are expensive, mainly because of the large distances.

Dan

Anonymous said...

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Do you know - If I would accompany a Mongolian all the way to Takashiken, would they also ask me for a guide?

To Mongolia said...

Hi

Updates from August 2011
Tourists have crossed this border on bikes, and on a public bus.
The Chinese did not demand a guide on the Chinese side.
It seems the border regulations have relaxed.

Dan

Me said...

Hey there!

Any recent news on this border crossing? I'm hoping to cross from China into Mongolia, to Khovd. From there, more than likely I'll find a way to UB.

Me said...

Hey there!

Any recent news on this border crossing? I'm hoping to cross from China into Mongolia, to Khovd. From there, more than likely I'll find a way to UB.

Anonymous said...

I plan to cross from China to Mongolia on 13 August? Can 'me' share the experience? Anyone interest to join me. I can speak Mandarin.

Anonymous said...

hi!

i just heard of a couple crossing the border with bikes maybe two weeks ago. so the border seems to be open.
i tried to contact them and will write down more information here as soon as they reply...

ruth

To Mongolia said...

Hi Ruth
Thanks for your updates. Any kind of recent experience is important for future travelers.

All the best
Dan

Anonymous said...

ok, it is confirmed now. the couple crossed the border with bikes, no problem. they did not need a chinese border region permit.

happy border crossing to all of you! :)

ruth

eight.unknown said...

Hi Dan,

Just after an update on the bulgan border crossing. Hoping to cross from Mongolia into china on the 25th, 26th of September. It is open? Do we need to make arrangements with a Chinese tour company? Or is that relaxed now?


Thanks,

Adam

To Mongolia said...

Hi Adam
25-26 September 2012 border open.
Note that 1-3 October 2012 all road borders to China will be closed.

No need for a Chinese tour guide to wait for you.
Note that if you are driving your own vehicle you will need a guide to join you.

Dan

C said...

Hi!

Thanks for all the recent updates, Dan and Ruth! I am also planning to cross this border without a guide in mid October (maybe around the 10th) 2012. Is it still open during that time? And where do you check this information?

Adam, could you share some of your experience once you cross the border? I'm a lady traveling solo and am trying to collect as much info as I can. Thanks!!

C

C said...

PS I'm hoping to go from Mongolia to China.

To Mongolia said...

Hi C

The border is open all year round.

Dan

C said...

Thanks Dan!

C said...

I had lost the link before, but this is what made me question whether the border was always open: http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/220/133/

To Mongolia said...

Hi C

The information on that link about the Bulgan border is outdated.

Today the border is open all year round.

Dan

poetry not in motion said...

Hi, I read ur blog, its fantastic!

I'm wanting to cross from Semey in Kazakhstan in July to Olgii. But I cant seem to find any public transport. Is it possible to cross between those two points on buses?

or can you suggest any other alternatives?
thanks!

To Mongolia said...

Hi

There is no border between Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Though on the world atlas the borders seem to almost touch each other.
You will have to go north to Russia, or south to China to get to a border crossing into Mongolia.

Dan

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thank you for your blog. It's a great help!
I wondered though how the situation is now, recently the blog has been a bit quiet.
Is it still possible to cross the boarder there, and only on weekdays?
No guide needed on the Chinese side?
Thank you very much!
Emma

To Mongolia said...

Hi

There was no change in 2013.
Border open week days.
No guide needed.

Dan

longwayhome said...

Hi Dan,

Thanks a lot for your information about Mongolia and that border crossing in particular about which I could find posts of yours on various websites while doing some research.
I'm planning to cross from West China to Mongolia in January 2014.
Is there a Mongolian consulate in Urumqi that issues Mongolian express visas as there is one on the (much more frequented) East crossing at Hohhot/Erlian?

Thanks a lot

Anonymous said...

Hi
Unfortunately there is no Mongolian consulate in Urumqi.

Anonymous said...

Hi, just looking for any updates on the border crossing? I am in Mongolia and want to cross into China with my Mongolian 4x4.. I have an Australian passport..What kind of paperwork do I need for me and the car? Any info much appreciated!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi
There are several issues related to crossing with a car.
On the Mongolian side - Is it registered under your name, does it have proper import documents, customs payments proof, etc. Check with the customs office in UB. On the Chinese side there are additional issues, you will need to be accompanied and get some papers permitting you to travel in a car near the border. Contact Spring from Desert Roses desert_roses@sina.com mentioned in the article above.

Gabi said...

Hi!

I am planning to cross the border from China to Mongolia, Im Canadian and dont need a visa... but on the official website of my country, it says that

'Overland entry into Mongolia, other than by train, must be authorized by the Head of the Consular Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Requests must be specifically addressed to the Head of the Consular Section.'Do any one knows what this actually means? Did any one of you had to bring any paper other than their passport along with them?

Thank you for your precious help... its amazingly helpful.
Gabi

To Mongolia said...

Hi Gabi
The text you quote is very strange.
This is in no way the experience of many travelers with similar passports like yours, exempt from visa in advance.
To cross the Bulgan border as a Canadian all you need is your passport and a smile.

Enjoy your visit

Dan

Anonymous said...

Hi! just a little question : crossing from china to mongolia, what does it look like transport wise in that western part? we have our camping gear, but no bikes, and dont plan to walk for 30 days... Thanks, really useful blog!
oli

Anonymous said...

Hi Oli
There are various vehicles that get to this remote border post from the Mongolian side and return to Bulgan Khovd or Olgii every day, including shared taxi's and vans. There is no fixed time table, they leave when they are full.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone.

I am heading to that border from the Chinese side as well, by bicycle.
I am only afraid bout the registration I need to do in Ulanbataar as I heard within some days after arrival.
Is there a way to registrate in the police headquarter or customs in a smaller or bigger town on the way?

thanks
Sven

Anonymous said...

Hi Sven
The 7 days registration is old and outdated info.
You can extend only in UB any time before your visa expires.

Anonymous said...

Hey thats good news.
I would need no visa but if I would like to stay longer than 30 days I guess I would have to apply for a longer visa in advance as I do so for Kazakhstan instead of getting just 15 days for free.

cheers
Sven

Your movie guru, Richard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Your movie guru, Richard said...

I just wanted to see what others thought of Mongolia since I was there for but a few days. Here was Border crossing (since that is what your blog post is about, thought on China) filled nearly illegal journey across the Russian/ Mongolian border. hope you enjoy,

Unknown said...

Hiya! I'm interested in crossing the Takashiken-Bulgan border crossing from China to Mongolia. You mentioned that a Chinese border region permit is required if I'm hiking across the border. Where and when would I have to obtain this border permit (I will be travelling in Xinjiang beforehand)?
Cheers,
Lei

Anonymous said...

Hi Lei

The permit can be obtained in Urumqi.
Any tourist agent in Urumqi will assist you.
The post above mentions a few in the "Chines Tour operators" section.

Enjoy a great tour.

Unknown said...

hey !I would like to take the bus from Urumqi to the border but it's almost impossible to find the place to get it. So where can I take this bus in Urumqi and also can we put 2 bicycle in it ? Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hi

The bus leaves from the central bus station in Urumqi.
search in Google maps for
"Urumqi International Transport Bus Station"
or in Chinese 乌鲁木齐国际运输汽车站

In the past other cyclists have taken bicycles on this bus.

Please share your experience here after you take this bus, with more details.

Thanks
Dan

Anonymous said...

Hi
The border is open to all nationals.
There was no recent change in policy.
The Chinese consulate information that was given to you is old and outdated.
As you are entering from Mongolia you do not need any special Xinjiang permit, unlike people coming from the other direction, from China.
The only advice is to stay on the main road. There is a direct bus from the border to Uromqi.
Enjoy your adventures.
Dan

Varvara wrote:
Hi! I am planning to cross this border next week, from UB to Hovd and on to Urumchi and then Kashgar, heading to Osh, Kyrgystan. The Chinese consulate made me go buy a train ticket to Erlian before they approve my application, as my bus ticket to Hovd was not enough proof. She also added that the Bulgan/Takashiken border is not international and only open to Chinese and Mongolian people. But we did ask at the border information center next to the Train Station and they said OF COURSE IT IS INTERNATIONAL. We called at the Bulgan/Takashiken and they said OF COURSE IT IS INTERNATIONAL, and if the Chinese changed their policy and it's not, Mongolians haven't received any notification so far -- and I hope they won't until I'm away next week, which of course is highly unlikely.
Now, about the permit to Xinjiang, is there indeed such a permit and is there a place where I may get while here in Mongolia or may I get it at the border? Is there a fee to pay for it? Please let me know asap. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Hello !
Thanks for running this website. There are so many precious information !
I'm French and planning to cross the Bulgan/Takashiken border from Mongolia to China in a couple of weeks.
Any recent news that confirm that this is possible this summer ? Also do you know if a permit is required to enter Xinjiang ? and if yes, how to get it ?

Thanks a lot !
Priscilla

Anonymous said...

Hi Priscilla
The border is open.
Many use it in summer.
No need for a permit in advance.
If you intend to take the bus from Takashiken to Urumqi There is no need for a permit at all.
If you have intentions to hike near the border, you will need to consult a Chinese tour agent. Try Spring, mentioned above.
All the best
Dan

Vicki OBrien said...

Hi and thank you for this information. It is Friday Sept 22 and I am in Urumqi now and plan to take the bus up to cross the border when it opens on Monday morning.
What time of day can i catch a bus from Urumqi? Does one bus go all the way to Takashiken or must i change buses in Qinghe ?
Thanks in advance for a speedy reply
Cheers
Vicki OBrien

Mario said...

Hi, I plan to go from Gansu province in China to Altay region in Russia across Mongolia.
1) Is Bulgan border still open for tourists? I hope it is, but I don't see here any update from this year (2018.). I should be there about August 16th.
2) Do you maybe have any information how to get to the border from Dunhuang in Chinese Gansu province? I found only mentioning of bus from Urumqi to the border. You don't know for transport from other Chinese cities to the border?
3) If there is any other transport, I can take that bus from Urumqi to Bulgan border. Do you know does that bus work every day? On other place I saw very old information of the bus from Urumqi to Qinghe, then minivans from Qinghe to Takashiken, then cheap taxi from there to the border? Can I do that in one day for sure? It is information from 2011, you don't know is that even faster and better transport option now?
4) If I take those buses/taxies from Urumqi to the border and to cross the border to Bulgan, I guess that now I don't need any special license from Chinese authorities? I saw it was mentioned before. I don't need it anymore, right?
5)What information do you have about the best possible transport from Bulgan to Russian border (Tsagaannuur-Tashanta) in 2018? Where in Bulgan I can ask for transport? Do you think there are even minivans or buses from Bulgan to Tsagaannuur (or at least to Olgii (Ulgii)?)
Or if not, can I find minivans from Bulgan to Khovd and then from Khovd to Olgii and Tsaganuur?
6) Is it possible even to find jeep from Bulgan to Tsaganuur or at least 2 jeeps across Khovd? How expensive can be such jeep transport?
7) How much time I will need from China's to Russia's border? 2 days is optimal?
8) Is it possible to find the place for sleeping, anything like hostel, on my way from China's to Russian border? What do you recommend related to this?
9)If I travel 2 days from China's to Russian border (Bulgan to Tsaganuur), I expect to be there on Saturday or Sunday. Is Tsaganuur-Tashanta border closed during weekend?
Thank you very much in advance for answers on all of these my questions. I hope you will be so kind to answer all my doubts, and I will be also happy to write here my update how it was once when I finished this my travel :)
All the best, Mario

Vicki OBrien said...

I traveled 10 months ago from Urumqi to Bulgan to Hovd to Olgii. It is a very adventurous trip. overnight sleeper bus from Urumqi to Qinghe....many vans and cars there to ride share to Takashiken...I stayed overnight in Tak...so i could do border crossing in morning. Plan on several hours to cross this border out of China. Find a ride from border to Bulgan. Most car shares travel by night from Bulgan to Hovd and then again from Hovd to Olgii. This trip is only for the very adventurous! Good luck! I did the return trip as well.....hope your Russian language is up to speed!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Vicki! I actually start my travel from Urumqi to Mongolia and Russia TOMORROW :)
My computer from some reason didn't memorize this web-site so I see this your message only now. Hoping that you will be online today or tomorrow before my departure,
can you tell me where in Takashiken, Hovd, Olgii, Tsagannuurr (if you were there) you slept and you found transport? it is information I will really need in next days :P

Vicki OBrien said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi
Anyone knows how to get to UB from Urumqi Xinjiang by land ?

Thanks

Ben