Major city · China
Khorgos
Use Khorgos only as a transit point between China and Kazakhstan; one day is enough, no overnight stay needed.
Khorgos is a border town in Xinjiang serving as the main road and rail crossing to Kazakhstan. The railway station, bus terminal and town are separate, so allow time for transfers. Most travellers pass through in a few hours; a night‑stop is optional only if you need rest before continuing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- Ürümqi Diwopu (URC)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Khorgos110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Khorgos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyKhorgos is safe for transit but border areas are controlled; follow staff instructions and keep documents accessible.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportURC Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (≈ 3 h by road or train to Khorgos; main gateway for Xinjiang).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main way to move between Khorgos Railway Station, the bus terminal and the town centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (short intra‑town ride)estimate≈¥50
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, town hotel, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room, town hotel, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥800 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- URC Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (≈ 3 h by road or train to Khorgos; main gateway for Xinjiang)
Map of Khorgos
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Weather and climate
Khorgos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
5 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are the main way to move between Khorgos Railway Station, the bus terminal and the town centre. No public transit within the small town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yining
goDoor to door: check
Bus or minibus from Khorgos International Bus Terminal; approx. 90 km (56 mi) eastBus or minibus from Khorgos International Bus Terminal; approx. 56 mi (90 km) east
Check current schedule; travel time about 2 h.
Zharkent (Kazakhstan)
goDoor to door: about 1 h
Minibus from the same terminal; fare ¥99 (≈ US$14) reported July 2026
Stay on the vehicle until instructed; border staff may delay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vienna International Hotel (Khorgos Port)
In town, away from railway station and border checkpoint; confirm passport registration before arrival.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥500–¥800 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- ¥800 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, town hotel1 × 1 night × CN¥350 | CN¥350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥500 | CN¥1,000 |
| Minibus Khorgos → Zharkent, one way2 × CN¥99 · July 2026 report; check the current fare | CN¥198 |
| Taxi between railway station, town and bus terminal1 × CN¥50 · estimate; check the local rate | CN¥50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥150 · check | CN¥300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥190 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,044 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,088≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance rail and border-crossing fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Minibus to ZharkentJuly 2026 report | ¥99 (≈ US$14) |
| Taxi (short intra‑town ride)estimate | ≈¥50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border procedures can take long; keep passport, water and medication handy.
- Photography of border facilities is prohibited without permission.
- Hotel may need passport registration; confirm before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KhorgosKhorgos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
Check the nearest Chinese consular office for assistance; US consulate is in Urumqi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Khorgos → Zharkent: ¥99 (≈ US$14) (check for current price)
- Taxi between railway station and town: ≈¥50 (check local rate)
Say or show
- 边境检查站在哪里？ — Where is the border checkpoint? (biān jìng jiǎn chá zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 多少钱？ — How much is the fare? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 我需要护照盖章。 — I need a passport stamp. (wǒ xū yào hù zhào gài zhāng.)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Khorgos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Transit‑only itinerary: train to Khorgos, taxi to bus terminal, cross border, continue by bus/minibus.
- Optional overnight: stay at Vienna International Hotel if connections are late.
Sources
Ask about Khorgos
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