Zhangmu Town

Zhangmu Town
Zhangmu Town lies in the southern piedmont of the median Himalayas, about 776 km. (482 mi.) away from the capital of Tibet Lhasa. It also borders Nepal to the south; Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge is only 10 more km. (6 miles) away and another 100 km. (62 miles)'s drive will lead you into the capital of Nepal, Katmandu. After the drudgery of the Sino-Nepal Road, it has become a most welcome sight both for visitors and traders alike. Much is supposedly owed to nearby Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Visitors come mainly for climbing up the lofty mountain, appreciating the heavenly sights, or pilgrimage at its holiness. However, for the particular location, Zhangmu Town itself can form an interesting array of scenery for the visitors.

At the altitude of about 2,300 m. (7,546ft.) and with the subtropical climate, Zhangmu Town enjoys mild and humid climate, which can be an extravagant hope for the common dry and cold Tibetan area. The natural scenery there is very charming. It is absolutely embraced by wondrous mountains, flexural rivers, lush pines and flourishing flowers almost all the year round. Along the winding road in the middle of peaks and gorges, you will be unconsciously assailed by the fulgurous waterfalls, enjoying another tasty variety from the eternally snow-covered Himalayas. Please get to the location of Sino-Nepal Tunnel and appreciate the best scenery of the mountains.

As a port, Zhangmu Town is also very noisy and modernized with many grand buildings. You can find customhouse, business bureau, factories, shops, banks, post offices, schools, hotels, restaurants and resident buildings arranged orderly beside the street. The bazaar is always crowded with various skin-colored tourists and businessmen. Walking here, you may feel like bees in a hive. Most striking are the numerous red villas topped with small gardens, aflutter with prayer flags and lucky trees, which add much color to Zhangmu Town. The buildings at the turn between business bureau and electric station ditch are the best point to look around the town.
 

Travel tips

Shigatse Region that Zhangmu Town is located in has many natural and cultural scenic spots, such as Mt. Everest, Palcho Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Pala Manor, etc. Please ensure you take your ID card or passport and border card for the checkpoint. Umbrella and skid-proof shoes are also necessary for the rainy and bumpy path is often treacherous. You can take the sightseeing bus via Zhangmu Town by the way, but you should contact the guide or driver first at the hotel. For changing money into Nepalese Rupees, you can refer to Bank of China.
 

How to get to Zhangmu Town from Lhasa

1. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, there are three buses from Lhasa Xijiao Bus Station, Beijiao Bus Station and Liuwu Bus Station to the town. The bus departs at 8:30 and bus fare is no more than CNY 300.
2. Hire a local car to the town, and it may charge CNY 500 for each.

- Last updated on May. 26, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Zhangmu Town
Asked by Maksud from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 16, 2015 08:14Reply
Please can anyone knows zhangmu kodari border is open for tourist or not.
I am traveling on middle of June. Please let me knows
Answers (2)
Answered by Sunny from USA | Dec. 16, 2015 21:06
20Reply


As I know, the border is still closed to tourists. You may pay close attention the latest news. :)
Answered by Maksud from UK | Dec. 17, 2015 07:48
10Reply


Thanks for your answer
Asked by PETER HANSEN from NEPAL | May. 01, 2014 01:06Reply
DO I NEED A CHINA VISA AS AN AMERICAN-TO CROSS INTO ZHANGMU-WOTH A NON TOURIST NEPALI VISA?
I WANT TO ONLY SPEND THE DAY IN ZHANGMU AND RETURN TO NEPAL(KHASA)-THE SAME DAY.
Answers (1)
Answered by Coco from NEPAL | May. 07, 2014 03:30
10Reply


Yes, a Chinese visa is needed! You can apply for that in Nepal. Also to travel there, u need a Tibet Entry Permit and have to join a tour.
Asked by Dan from SOUTH AFRICAGGRAGAVALOOTELKOMSA.NET | Oct. 02, 2013 15:15Reply
How do I get to Zhangmu from kathmandu Return.
Answers (1)
Answered by Alice from NEPAL | Oct. 08, 2013 02:47
12Reply


I remember there are direct buses for this journey and they can be taken at Kathmandu CITY BUS PARK. For exact information, you'd better consult further.
Asked by Ian from NEW ZEALAND | Feb. 21, 2012 16:52Reply
National Road 318 and border crossing into Nepal via Zhangmu, Tibet
I want to do the Friendship Highway by cycling, Train from Beijing to Lhasa, several days to acclimatise to the altitude, then by road, about 70km per day from Lhasa eventually to India or Bangladesh - is this feasible, anyone else done this?

How long would the border crossing take? I note I need a Tibetan travel pass and a Chinese visa, would I need another for Nepal (travelling on a UK passport).
Answers (1)
Answered by paula | Feb. 22, 2012 02:00
02Reply


Border crossing would take some 30 minutes if everything going fine. As I know, all visitors need to have a Nepal visa except Indians. So, you should have one. You need to find a travel agency to handle the Tibet travel permit. It doesn't accept individual application of a foreign visitor.
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