China Border Closure During Kailash Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a lifetime journey that people often plan for years. This is not an ordinary holiday family trip. It is one of the most difficult trips one can do in their lifetime. This trip comes with huge savings for years, planning for the leave and preparing for the health for months before the journey. But what if you hear about the China Border Closure during the Kailash Yatra?

Pilgrims save money, arrange leave from work, and wait for years to start the journey to Kailash. 2026 has already started, and it’s time to make the dream successful. They had already thought that the journey had started.

But one thing every pilgrim must understand: the entire Kailash Mansarovar Yatra depends on international borders, crossing into China. And sometimes China closes its borders. The news of China’s border closure for the Kailash Yatra is something nobody wants to hear.  It is uncomfortable, but yes, it is the truth. Because this has happened before, a lot of times, and can happen in the future too.

In this blog, we will understand what the closure of the border means, what options you have, and how you can protect your booking wisely.

Why Does China Close the Border for Kailash Yatra?

The Kailash route from Nepal enters the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. That means the pilgrimage operates under Chinese government permit systems. There are certain reasons for the closures.

• Some of the reasons are Military or political tensions, such as the Galwan clash of June 2020.
• Diplomatic strain between India and China, and sometimes Nepal.
• Pandemic or health emergencies such as Covid 19 pandemic.
• Internal security controls in Tibet.
• Natural disasters affecting border infrastructure, like the flood in mid-July 2025, damaged the bridge of Kerung entry.
• Administrative suspension of Tibet permits

Bridge wrecked by the flood at the Nepal- China Border at Kerung. Sometimes the border is physically open, but Tibet permits are not issued, and sometimes, group visas are denied. paused. Sometimes, only foreigners are restricted from entering the land of Tibet.

This is why the impact of the closure of the border in Kailash Mansarovar may not be visible immediately, but will impact the yatra.

What Does “China Border Closure” Usually Mean for Travelers?

When people hear border closure, they imagine that the gates are locked. Is it because the keys are lost? Or something serious. It often indicates that

• The Tibet Travel Permits are suspended.
• Chinese group visas are delayed
• Nepal–Tibet crossing operations are paused
• Tour departures are temporarily halted

Most importantly, without permits, Tibet cannot be entered. Foreign travelers cannot enter Tibet independently. It must be through an organized group tour with approved operators. So, if the permits stop, the yatra stops too. There is no alternative.

Border Closed without Notice

Can Tibet Permits Stop Being Issued Without Notice?

Yes. This has happened before. The China Governments do not always announce these decisions months in advance. Sometimes operators are informed just weeks before departure. This creates stress for pilgrims as well as the tour planners who have already made transactions. This is one of the main Kailash yatra border shutdown risks people must understand before booking.

What Happens If the Border Closes Before Departure?

If the China border closure Kailash Yatra situation happens before your trip begins, usually one of these options applies:

1. Rescheduling the yatra for the next open season
2. Credit note to be transferred for future departures
3. Partial refund (after deducting nonrefundable costs)
4. Full refund (rare, depends on contract terms)

Note that the refund policy depends on the agreement you had before making the deal and sending the deposit. It is very important to know the cancellation, rescheduling, and refund policy.

A good Kailash Yatra refund policy for border closure should clearly explain:

• What is refundable and how much?
• Which government fees are non-refundable?
• How long do the credits remain valid?
• Timeline and processes of refund processing
• If the policy is unclear, do not hesitate to ask before paying.

What If the Border Closes While You Are in Kathmandu?

This is the most uncertain and difficult stage. You have already traveled a long distance, flying

for hours. You might have already checked into the hotel, attended the briefing, submitted passports for visa stamping, and done your shopping. If you are told to wait as there is a pause in the vis processing, the operators might come up with some ideas for you.

•  The group might be asked to wait further in Kathmandu.
• Offer alternate sightseeing in Nepal
• Postpone departure by a few days
• Fully reschedule the Kailash Yatra, depending on your viability and availability.

Waiting at the Nepal–Tibet border area is not allowed for a long period of time. Camping for longer days is not allowed in the border area. So, getting into a teahouse becomes necessary. All these additional stays add cost for accommodation, transport, and food. This is where many travelers experience stress. Your understanding of the situation is crucial here.

What if you are already in Tibet? Will this rule still be applied?

It is a rare case, but you never know. It can be possible. After entering Tibet, travel remains monitored, and movement between towns requires permits and registered vehicles. If any sudden restrictions occur, your tour operator needs to coordinate with local authorities, and independent decisions are not allowed without consulting local authorities.

This is the major reason travelers cannot apply for Tibet permits themselves, without a licensed tour operator in Nepal and in Tibet.

Travel Insurance

Does Travel Insurance Cover Border Shutdown?

This is one of the most asked questions associated with travel and insurance to Kailash Yatra.  In simple language, the answer depends on the policy. A travel insurance policy must cover the following:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Trip delay

But not all policies include government border closures equally. Some police include epidemic-related closure whereas some of them exclude political tension.

• You need to ask the insurance agent whether the
• Travel insurance covers border shutdown?
• Is permit cancellation covered?
• Is political conflict included?
• Is epidemic related closure covered?

Insurance companies require proof such as:

• Written cancellation notice
•  Official advisory documentation
•  Payment receipts
•  Confirmation from the operator

And, importantly, do not trust anyone verbally. Do not assume and always ask for written proof. Whatever, you need a well-written confirmation with an official stamp and signature to ensure the “force majeure”, which does not automatically guarantee payment.

Reducing the risk:

To reduce risk, you can do the following

• Choose flexible airline tickets
• Add buffer days before and after the yatra
• Avoid same-day return flights
• Consider a refundable hotel booking.

And before departure, always check the Official travel advisories for China and Nepal travel advisory updates and Embassy notifications, and do not forget to confirm everything with your travel agent.

Final Thoughts

Trek to Kailash Mansarovar is a spiritual journey, but it involves administrative and political regulations. The borders have closed a lot of times in the past. Borders have closed before. There are certain cases when the Permits have halted, and fixed departure schedules have been rescheduled. Yet, every season, thousands of pilgrims book the journey and complete the sacred journey.

Though pilgrims are most worried about the high altitude and altitude sickness, sometimes the border closure adds stress to the pilgrims, as well as to the tour operators. With proper preparation and keeping the pre-information, can reduce the impact later.