Irkeshtam Border Port in Xinjiang

Irkeshtam Border Port (伊尔克什坦口岸) is located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Erkeshtam, also known as Erkech-Tam in Kyrgyz (Kyrgyz: Эркеч-Там), or Erkeshtan (Chinese: 伊尔克什坦, Uyghur: ئەركېچ-تام), is a prominent border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang, China. It is named after a village on the Kyrgyz side of the border in the southern Osh Region. Initially referred to as Simuhana (斯姆哈纳) after a settlement on the Chinese side, Erkeshtam is now the commonly used name in both countries.

Erkeshtam is situated in the westernmost part of China and is one of the two border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and China, the other being Torugart, approximately 165 kilometers (103 miles) to the northeast.

Location and Geography:
Erkeshtam Border Crossing is located about 230 kilometers (140 miles) west of Kashgar, 250 kilometers (160 miles) southeast of Osh, and 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It spans the Erkeshtam Pass, a deep gorge where the southern Tian Shan meets the Pamir Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 2,950 meters (9,680 feet) above sea level. The village of Erkeshtam is approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, while Simuhana, situated about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) on the Chinese side, falls under Ulugqat County in the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang.

Trade and Transportation:
Erkeshtam Border Crossing controls significant trade routes linking the Tarim Basin to the east with the Alay and Ferghana Valleys to the west and north. On the Kyrgyz side, the A371 road (now EM-05) passes over the Erkeshtam Pass (3,005 m) and connects to the Alay Valley. At Sary-Tash, it intersects with the M41 highway leading north through the Taldyk Pass (elevation 3,615 meters) to Osh and the Ferghana Valley. On the Chinese side, the G3013 Kashgar–Irkeshtam Expressway extends east to Kashgar and the Tarim Basin, continuing as the G581 through Ulugqat and linking to the G30, China’s longest expressway extending to the Pacific Ocean.

International Routes:
Asian Highway AH65, connecting Termez, Uzbekistan to Kashgar, China, passes through Erkeshtam. Furthermore, the European route E60, originating from Brest, France, terminates at Erkeshtam.

Erkeshtam operates with a bus service through the pass on Mondays and Tuesdays, facilitating transportation and trade between Kyrgyzstan and China.

Location and Geography:
Irkeshtam Border Port (also known as Erkeshtam or Erkeshtan) is situated on the China-Kyrgyzstan border. It lies in the southwestern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The port is specifically located in the Irkeshtam Pass, which is an important mountain pass through the Tian Shan range.

Function and Importance: Irkeshtam Border Port serves as a critical gateway for trade and transportation between China and Kyrgyzstan. It facilitates the movement of goods, vehicles, and people across the border, contributing significantly to bilateral trade and economic exchanges between the two countries.

Infrastructure and Facilities:
The port is equipped with customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities to handle the cross-border flow of goods and travelers. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating regional connectivity and enhancing economic cooperation between China and its neighboring countries in Central Asia.

History and Development:
Irkeshtam Border Port has historical significance as a key trade route along the ancient Silk Road. Over the years, it has seen infrastructure improvements and modernization efforts to meet the growing demands of cross-border trade and transportation.

Strategic Location:
Due to its strategic location in the Tian Shan mountains, Irkeshtam Border Port not only serves as a trade route but also supports regional stability and development initiatives. It connects China’s Xinjiang region with Central Asian countries, facilitating cultural exchanges, tourism, and mutual investments.

In summary, Irkeshtam Border Port in Xinjiang plays a crucial role in promoting economic cooperation and regional integration between China and Kyrgyzstan, reflecting its historical importance as a key trade route and its strategic location in the Tian Shan mountains.