Entering or exiting China by land is one of the most rewarding ways to travel the region, connecting China with Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Northeast Asia. Land crossings vary enormously in infrastructure, wait times and surrounding scenery. This guide covers the most used crossings for independent foreign travelers.
China–Vietnam Crossings
Vietnam shares an 1,300 km border with China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.
Hekou–Lào Cai (Yunnan to Vietnam)
The most popular crossing between southwestern China and northern Vietnam. Hekou is a small border town connected to Kunming by overnight sleeper train (10 hours, ¥100–200). On the Vietnamese side, Lào Cai connects directly to Hanoi by overnight train.
Hours: 07:00–22:00 China time (note Vietnam is 1 hour behind China). Processing time: 20–60 minutes in normal conditions; up to 3 hours during Vietnamese public holidays. Requirements: Valid Chinese visa if entering China; Vietnamese visa (or e-visa, valid for most nationalities). Money: Change RMB to VND at the border bank (Bank of China on China side, Vietcombank on Vietnam side). Rates are fair.
Dongxing–Móng Cái (Guangxi to Vietnam)
Coastal crossing connecting Guangxi with northern Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay region. Hours: 07:00–22:00. Distance to Ha Long Bay: 3 hours by bus from Móng Cái. Note: This crossing is extremely busy with trade goods trucks. Pedestrian lanes move faster than vehicle lanes.
Friendship Pass–Hữu Nghị Quan (Pingxiang, Guangxi)
Classic overland route connecting Nanning (Guangxi capital) with Hanoi. International trains used to run this route; currently suspended. Bus from Pingxiang town to the crossing is ¥10; Vietnamese side connects to Đồng Đăng and then Hanoi by bus (4–5 hours). Hours: 07:00–22:00.
China–Laos Crossing
Mohan–Boten
The primary crossing connecting Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna with northern Laos. The Laos–China Railway, which opened in 2021, now provides the most comfortable option: train from Kunming to Mohan (4 hours), cross the border, then board the Laos train for Luang Prabang (2 hours) or Vientiane (5 hours).
Hours: 08:00–22:00 China time (Laos is 1 hour behind). Laos visa: Available on arrival at Boten for most nationalities (USD 30–42, photos required). Train booking: Separate tickets for China and Laos segments; book Chinese segment on 12306, Laos segment on the Laos national railway app or at the station.
China–Myanmar Crossings
Ruili–Muse (Yunnan)
The main crossing between China and Myanmar. Ruili is a busy trade hub in western Yunnan.
Important 2026 note: The security situation in Shan State (Myanmar side) has been volatile. Check UK FCDO, US State Department or your national travel advisory before planning this crossing. As of 2026, tourist crossing here is restricted for most nationalities.
Tengchong area crossings
Smaller crossings exist near Tengchong. These are also subject to restrictions due to Myanmar security concerns. Not recommended for independent tourist travel.
China–Kazakhstan Crossing
Alashankou–Dostyk (Xinjiang)
Rail and road crossing in northern Xinjiang, connecting the Eurasian rail route. Used by travelers doing the Trans-Siberian variant through Central Asia.
Kazakh visa: Required for most nationalities; e-visa available online. Train: The weekly international train runs Ürümqi–Almaty (28 hours, ¥400–700). Book at Ürümqi South Railway Station.
Horgos–Qorgas (Xinjiang)
Busier road crossing, part of the China-Kazakhstan trade route. International bus services run from Ürümqi and Yining.
China–Russia Crossings
Manzhouli–Zabaykalsk (Inner Mongolia)
Most popular China–Russia road and rail crossing. International train: Manzhouli to Chita or Trans-Siberian to Moscow.
Russian visa: Required for most nationalities; e-visa has expanded coverage. Hours: 08:00–20:00 for pedestrians.
Heihe–Blagoveshchensk (Heilongjiang)
River crossing via ferry or hovercraft across the Amur/Heilong River. Very scenic entry into the Russian Far East. Hours: Seasonal; ferry operates May–October, hovercraft in winter when river is frozen.
Suifenhe–Pogranichny (Heilongjiang)
Train and road crossing connecting Harbin with Vladivostok (8–10 hours by road).
China–Mongolia Crossings
Erenhot–Zamyn-Üüd
The main overland crossing for the Trans-Mongolian Railway route. Train: Beijing–Ulaanbaatar–Moscow (6 days). The weekly international train pauses at the border for 3–5 hours while the bogie exchange happens (the rail gauge changes from Chinese to Russian/Mongolian gauge).
Mongolian visa: Not required for many nationalities (30-day free entry). Check your nationality. Hours: Road crossing 08:00–20:00; trains operate on schedule.
Erenhot Tips
- Border town has ATMs and money changers for RMB to MNT
- Bring snacks for the 5-hour border stop — the restaurant car may be swapped out
- Train reservation for the Trans-Mongolian often requires booking 2–3 months ahead in summer
China–Nepal Crossing
Zhangmu–Kodari and Gyirong–Rasuwagadhi (Tibet)
The traditional Zhangmu crossing was damaged in the 2015 Nepal earthquake and replaced by the Gyirong crossing.
Tibet Permit required: All foreign nationals entering Tibet (including approaching from Nepal) need a Tibet Travel Permit. This must be arranged before arrival through a licensed Tibet travel agency.
Nepal visa: Available on arrival at Kathmandu airport or at certain crossings; e-visa available.
Current status 2026: The Gyirong crossing is periodically closed for Chinese national holidays and special political events. Always confirm with your Tibet travel agency before departing for the border.
General Tips for All Land Crossings
Health declaration: China requires health QR code registration on entry; fill in the form before reaching the gate.
Photography: Photography is prohibited at border security areas. Don’t photograph guards, scanners or queue areas.
Cash: Carry both currencies in cash at border crossings. ATMs may not be available or may not accept foreign cards.
Timing: Crossings are quietest on weekday mornings (09:00–11:00). Fridays and Sundays are busiest.
Chinese exit: When leaving China, you’ll go through Chinese customs first, then the neutral zone, then the other country’s immigration. The process is one-way; if there’s a problem on the other side, you generally cannot re-enter China without going through the full process again.
Registration: If staying in accommodation in China, your guesthouse or hotel registers you with the local police. In border towns, ensure your accommodation completes this registration — failure to register can cause issues at the exit gate.
Land border travel adds a dimension to China trips that airport arrivals never provide: the gradual transition of language, currency, architecture, and landscape as you cross from one country to another. The China–Vietnam crossings via Yunnan and the Trans-Mongolian railway route are two of the great overland travel experiences in Asia.