As I suspected, it's sort of business as usual in the 'Stans, there are often spats like this one, and foreigners shouldn't be too affected, if at all. David Berghof at Stantours (THE go-to guy in the area) says that it should all be cleared up fairly soon and that there is increased tension in all the countries bordering Uzbekistan at the moment.

__________________
Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo

I am in Tajikistan now

This border is mostly closed to tourist anyway, the Osh to Sarry-tash to murghab (Pamir highway) is still open and is not effected so i have been told by locals.

Thanks so far for the answers and info. As a lot of the forummembers are planning the Pamir, as we do, for this year, lets hope for no further complications, we really do not want to skip that part of the trip.

GRTZ,

JP

Just read this news today as well. Am planning to ride though The Stans this spring/ summer. No idea what I'm in for :-)

I've got a crazy question concerning passage though China:

I plan to enter China from Pakistan though the Khunjerab Pass. Then its will take 5 expensive days ($1800 total) to ride the 591km to the Tourgat Pass in Kyrgyzstan.

What I'm wondering is this:

Is it possible to enter Tajikistan via China? Then, if this is possible, to enter and exit China on the same day in order to save lots of cash ($1,000?). Then, if that is possible, to get back into Kyrgyzstan via Taj?

What I saw on google maps was this, using the surprisingly good satellite images, was this:

The KKH become G314 in China. After entering in China, after ~180km along G314 into China there is a very distinct left (eastward) turn that is not labeled on google maps, but can be seen on the satellite images.

This un-named road is visibly in decent condition (I can even see a bus!) and leads quickly (50km or so) to the Taj border. Upon zooming in I could see what is clearly a border crossing of some size. I don't know the name, but the GPS coords are: 38.158317,74.822173

On the Taj side is another good highway, and this one IS labeled by Google Maps. Perhaps Google Maps missed the road which connects these two major highways in Taj and China?

So - and this is a wild idea - I was wondering if it is possible to only spend one day in China and enter Taj from China and this nameless (but visibly substantial) border. :/

Thoughts?

No you cant enter China via Tajikistan or Vice versa as this is for Tajik and china citizens only and not tourists as is mainly the lorry logistic route for trade between the two countries.

I just come back from Tajikistan and i am heading back out in 2 weeks so i will ask my Tajik friend who runs a tourist company for updated information on this

Also for people who like to travel to Afghanistan via ishkashim this market located between the two border posts has been closed for the last 2 Saturdays due to shootings on the Afgan side