Rasuwagadhi Border Reopens Nearly After 6 Months for Trade and Transit, Hope Revived for Travel and Tourism

Happy New Year to Everyone!

The year 2026 has arrived with welcome news. The Nepal-China overland connectivity that was disrupted due to devastating flood last year, has been reestablished. The Lhede River flood on 8th July 2025 (Ashad 24, 2082) had entirely swept away the Miteri Bridge (also known as the Friendship Bridge) over Bhotekoshie River in Rasuwa, forcing temporary closure of one of Nepal’s key trade gateway with China. This closure had disrupted cross-border movement and commercial activities between Nepal and China, highly affecting both trade and travel. 

Now, after a successful completion of the installation of the 91-meter Bailey bridge on 27th December 2025, a vital link for cross-border movement and commerce, the two countries are now reconnected, almost after a half year.  

The Rasuwagadhi border is also a major gateway for tourists and pilgrims traveling from Nepal into Tibet. This border provides easy and quite economical access to the most popular travel destinations in Tibet, such as the Everest Base Camp (North), Yamdrok Lake, Lhasa, and the sacred sites of Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar (revered by the followers of both Hinduism and Buddhism around the world). Therefore, every year, from May to the end of September, it is the peak season for visits to Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar, this border handles a significant volume of tourist movement.

However, the flood on 8th July 2025, had halted all cross-border operations, bringing transportation and tourism activities to a standstill. This halt not only affected the trade between the two countries (China and Nepal), but also  immensely affected the travel industry, resulting in widespread tour cancellations, revenue losses, operational disruptions and the uncertainty for businesses and workers dependent on tourism, both in Tibet and Nepal. 

Nevertheless, the installation of the Bailey bridge has brought renewed hope to the travel and trade sector. The border is expected to reopen for travelers starting in February.

General FAQ from travelers:

1. How many hours does it take to drive from Kathmandu to the Rasuwagadhi border?

It takes around 6-7 hours to get to Rasuwagadhi border from Kathmandu. 

2. What time do we start the drive?

Tibet time is 2:15 hours ahead of Kathmandu time. Therefore, the border closes around 2:45 PM,

Nepal time, which is 5:00 PM in Tibet. Since the drive takes 6-7 hours (depending on road

condition). Therefore, considering the highway traffic, road condition and short lunch and toilet

breaks, we need to leave Kathmandu around 5:00 to 6:00AM.

3. Can I fly to Nepal-China Rasuwagadhi border in a helicopter from Kathmandu?

Yes, you can fly to Rasuwagadhi border from Kathmandu (Nepal’s side only). The helipad is located

near the Sonam Guest House, which is about 1.7 kilometers from the border. 

4. What are the current road conditions from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadhi border? Is the road fully paved or are there rough/off-road sections?

The road from Kathmandu to Rasuragadhi is a highway, but some sections are still under

construction. Therefore, not all sections are fully paved. There are some sections especially 

beyond Dhunche and Syabrubesi to the border that have rough/off-road sections.  

5. How safe is the road during the monsoon or rainy season? Are there risks of landslides or weather-related delays on this route?

Most of this highway is safe to travel during monsoon or rainy season. However, some sections still

get affected by landslides, which will be cleared with the joint efforts of local people, the army and

the police, making travel possible again. This might cause delays on the route, therefore, it’s good

to be mentally prepared for this. 

6. Are the rest stops and basic facilities available along the road?

Yes, roadside lodges and basic tea houses are available along the road for rest stops and basic

facilities like food, accommodation and toilet breaks. 

7. Is there a back up route or contingency plan if the main road is blocked?

In case this route is blocked, the alternate option is the Kodari Highway, a key route linking Nepal to

China through the Tatopani border. But this may only  be a temporary option, as it was completely

closed for four and a half years following the devastating earthquake on 25th April, 2015 and

reopened on May 1, only for cargo and trade and no human (passenger) movement was permitted.

In 2025, after the flood swept away the Friendship Bridge in Rasuwagadhi, this checkpoint was

opened for leisure travelers.  

As trade and transit resume through Rasuwagadhi, the border once again stands as a vital link  reconnecting Nepal and China, which also brings back rays of hope in the travel industry both in Nepal and Tibet, after nearly six months of closure.