Kyirong grew from a small village into a busy trading post after 2015, when goods moving between Nepal and China shifted here from Kodari. The main streets are wide and new, with Chinese signs alongside Tibetan script, shops selling electrical goods and clothing, and teahouses where Tibetan families drink butter tea in the afternoons.
For yatris this is the place to buy what you forgot: thermal socks, gloves, flasks, instant noodles, dry fruit and glucose powder. Prices are marked in yuan. Indian vegetarian food is not common, but many restaurants serve rice, vegetable dishes and noodles without meat if you ask your guide to explain.
Walk at a slow pace and keep your passport with you; police may ask for documents. Photography of police, army or border installations is not allowed. Return to the hotel before dark for dinner and an early night.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Families
- First-timers
Questions travellers ask
Can I get vegetarian food in Kyirong?
Yes, though you need to ask. Chinese and Tibetan restaurants can make rice, vegetable stir-fries, noodles and egg dishes without meat. Our Kailash groups travel with a cook or support staff who prepare Indian vegetarian meals from Saga onwards, and in Kyirong we arrange vegetarian dinners at the hotel or a local restaurant.
Can I use Indian rupees or Nepali money in Kyirong?
No. Shops in Kyirong accept Chinese yuan, and many prefer mobile payment apps that foreigners find hard to set up. Carry yuan in small notes, changed in Kathmandu or with help at the border. Indian rupees and Nepali rupees are not accepted.
Is there a mobile network and Wi-Fi in Kyirong?
Yes. Hotels have Wi-Fi and Chinese networks cover the town, but many foreign apps and websites are blocked in China, including WhatsApp, Google and Facebook. Indian SIM cards rarely roam. Tell your family in advance that contact will be limited.
