Bulgan - New Mongolia-china border crossing

The Bulgan/Takashiken border crossing in West Mongolia/China is now open for all passport holders and operates all year round.

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.

Regulations

From Mongolia to China – The Mongolians will make sure one has a valid Chinese visa. In addition, in accordance with the Chinese regulation one must show evidence of a registered Chinese guide waiting on the Chinese side.

From China to Mongolia – to get to the Chinese side of the border one must attain a Chinese border region permit.(see the road sign below). The border crossing is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00. Note that the border is closed on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays. The transportation for tourists crossing the border is yet to be developed. Driving your own vehicle or riding your bike across the border is permitted.

Chinese tour operators

To cross from Mongolia to China one must 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.