Major city · China
Dram樟木
Skip Dram as a base: the 2015 earthquake gutted the town and the main border crossing moved to Gyirong. Only pass through if you need to cross into Nepal on foot.
Dram (Zhangmu) is a small border town at 2,350 m on the Friendship Highway between Nepal and Tibet. The 2015 earthquake destroyed the bridge and most of the town; a new bridge opened in 2019 but trade and travellers now use Gyirong. Dram has basic hotels and Chinese restaurants near the Bank of China branch, but prices are 2–3 times higher than Lhasa. The no-man's land to the Nepalese border at Kodari is 10 km: you walk or hitchhike, or hire a porter for about 40 NPR. Entering Tibet here requires the full set of permits and a guide.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon), Dec–Feb (snow and landslides)
- Airport
- KTM
- 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
Emergency numbers for Dram110 ▾
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 Dram, 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
- SafetyDram is safe for transit but the road can be affected by landslides and snow.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 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.
- AirportKTM Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) (About 4–5 h by road to Dram; the nearest major airport.
- Getting aroundThe town is a single zigzag road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (noodles, rice)check¥30–60 (≈ US$5–9)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus to Shigatsecheck¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35)
- Budget bedBasic hotel room (Zhangmu Binguan etc.), a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room (Zhangmu Binguan etc.), a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedBasic hotel room (Zhangmu Binguan etc.), a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥700 (≈ US$100)
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
- KTM Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) (About 4–5 h by road to Dram; the nearest major airport. Permits and guide required for entry to Tibet.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dram: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
18 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 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
The town is a single zigzag road. Walk or hire a local taxi for short hops. To cross the border, walk or hitchhike the 10 km no-man's land, or hire a porter (about 40 NPR).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kodari (Nepal)
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Walk or hitchhike the 10 km (6.2 mi) no-man's land, or hire a porter (about 40 NPR). Nepalese immigration at the Friendship Bridge.Walk or hitchhike the 6.2 mi (10 km) no-man's land, or hire a porter (about 40 NPR). Nepalese immigration at the Friendship Bridge.
Border crossing only; no town facilities on the Nepalese side.
Gyirong
goDoor to door: About 3–4 h
Drive north on the Friendship Highway, about 3–4 h (check road conditions).
Main border crossing since 2019; more services and permits available.
Shigatse
cautionDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Drive north on the Friendship Highway, about 5–6 h.
Long drive; only worth it if you are continuing to Lhasa.
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.
Near Bank of China branch
Zhangmu Binguan, Zhangmu Luguan, Himalaya Hotel, Waishigongbianshi Binguan. The Riguang Lushe is further uphill. Basic, expensive for what you get.
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
- ¥200–400 (≈ US$30–60)
- Mid
- ¥400–700 (≈ US$60–100)
- High
- ¥700 (≈ US$100)+
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room (Zhangmu Binguan etc.)1 × 1 night × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥200 | CN¥200 |
| Porter across no-man's land1 × CN¥40 · in NPR; check current rate | CN¥40 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥59 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥449 per person per day, bed included | CN¥449≈ US$65 |
check
2026 estimate in CNY; permits and guide fees not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Simple meal (noodles, rice)check | ¥30–60 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Bottled water (1 L)check | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Local bus to Shigatsecheck | ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Porter across no-man's landcheck | about 40 NPR |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Prices in Dram are 2–3 times higher than Lhasa.
- The 2015 earthquake destroyed much of the town; some buildings remain damaged.
- Entering Tibet from Nepal requires a Tibet Travel Permit and a guide; arrange before you arrive.
- Bank of China does not exchange money; merchants on both sides accept NPR and CNY and may offer exchange.
- The Gyirong crossing is now the main route; check road conditions before heading to Dram.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Dram樟木
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The nearest Chinese embassy is in Kathmandu, Nepal. For consular help while in Dram, contact the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu or the Public Security Bureau in Shigatse.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dram to Shigatse by bus: about ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35), 5–6 h (check)
- Porter across no-man's land: about 40 NPR (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 我需要搬运工 — I need a porter (wǒ xū yào bān yùn gōng)
- 边境在哪里？ — Where is the border? (biān jìng zài nǎ lǐ?)
Permits and a guide are required to enter Tibet from Nepal; arrange before you arrive.
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 Dram. 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: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon), Dec–Feb (snow and landslides) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Border-crossing logistics page with permit requirements, porter rates and road condition updates.
- Walking route through the no-man's land with waypoints and safety notes.
- Earthquake damage and reconstruction status page.
Sources
Ask about Dram
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