Zhangmu, the ancient name “Gong-Jue-Ta-bu”, means the “contiguous border”. It is an important extension of a branch of the Tea Horse Trading Route. The residence includes Chinese, Tibetan and Nepalese in this town.
Its altitude is 2300 meters, and it is built on an old landslide that produced a break in the steep walls of the gorge acrossing the Bhote Koshi River from the Nepalese town of Kodari. It has mild and humid subtropical climate, which is a rarity for Tibet.
Zhangmu connect Tibet and Nepal; and it is the main “gate” for entering Tibet from Kathmandu. It is one of the two ports of Tibet Autonomous Region, the other one is Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
The Immigration is open from 09:30 am till 17:30 pm from Monday to Friday. The process of Leaving China is quite simple. Once you complete the process, you will have to cross the bridge into Kodari of Nepal on your own.
2015 April, the Himalayan Earthquake also hit this town, that caused severe damage, especially thoroughly destroyed the road that connect to Nylamu town. The traffic has broken since then; The rebuild of this town has been on process since then, unfortunately This town is still closed, according to Tibet Construction Committee that the reconstruction work may last much loner than what expected, however, it is foreseen to have Zhangmu reopen in 2018, hopefully!
–Recommended Hotels–
There are nearly 11 hotels and guesthouses, in total approximately 160 beds; among of which, Zhangmu Grand hotel is the best and has own attached parking-lot in this small town; it is right next to the custom and immigration
Add: Near Zhangmu Custom
Contact: +86 892 874-2221
Add: No.19, Ying Bin Road
Contact: +86 892 866-5333
Add: No.19, Tuanjie Road
Contact: +86 892 874-2106
Add: No.30, Zhong Ni Road
Contact: +86 892 874-5888
Transportation
Basically, it is just one road that to cross through the whole town, which the road twists through town in a series of tight switchbacks for about 30 kilometers onto Nylamu county in the north, and the altitude jumps up to 3980 meters. Heading south, the road cross through the “Friendship bridge” entering Nepal and heading towards Kathmandu
Distance from Zhangmu to
- To Nyalam County : 30 kilometers, about 1 hour drive
- To Tingri: 250 kilometers, about 5.5 hour drive
- To Shigatse : 475 kilometers, about 9.5 hours’ drive
- To Gyantse : 565 kilometers, about 11 hours’ drive
- To Lhasa : 750 kilometers, about 14.5 hours’ drive
- To Tsetang : 790 kilometers, about 15 hours’ drive
- To Saga : 270 kilometers, about 7.5 hours’ drive
- To Darchen : 760 kilometers, about 14.5 hours’ drive
