Kazakhstan a quick crossing

From July 18 to 21, from the Kazakhstan border to Jarkent,

Borders are not easy

Today we quietly leave the yurt where we spent the night to head towards the border of Kazakhstan, which we will quickly cross to reach China. An isolated post located in the plain, open only during the day and without any services. The toilets alone are almost an attraction, a small, very rudimentary tin shed in the middle of a field. There is already a long line when we arrive but with bicycle privileges we can go up the car line. Fortunately because the controls are quite finicky. The customs officer who checks us makes us empty all our bags without exception, a small hassle. Photography is prohibited at border posts, so it is impossible to immortalize these moments.

To reach Kegen, the first town 30km away, we drive across a wide plain where horses are present by the hundreds. In this first town, we sort out telephone and currency exchange issues; it’s not easy and will take us part of the day.

Camels as movie sets

The next day we left Kegen at dawn due to the forecast being very hot. Our route was mainly through a desert area with a headwind and a road in a pitiful state. We crossed a beautiful valley that runs alongside the Charyn Canyon. and the spectacle is magnificent. After a long descent we continue the road into the desert steppe where we are lucky enough to see camels running in front of us, a film set in this hostile environment. We end our day in a very clean hotel in Shonzy.

Magnificent Chinese-style mosque

July 20th, the hottest day in Kazakhstan: 44°C at its peak. It took liters of water. Fortunately, the Kazakhs are friendly and provided us with water and food.

What a long journey this crossing of the desert plain between Shonzy and Jarkent was. A day punctuated by stops at local artisans who make cheese balls. Their tastes are not as good as our French cheeses. After a long day of sweating, we finally arrive in Jarkent. A place where we meet many Uighurs who have fled their country following persecution by the Chinese government.

We visited the Jarkent Mosque, built in the Chinese Islamic style. It is a unique structure that is truly different from traditional mosques. It is located in the heart of the city’s Grand Bazaar.

We stayed two days in Jarkent to visit the city and prepare for our entry into China, a border that is not always easy to cross.

Met :

• Five cyclists crossed paths near the border post, a rare moment.
• A Belgian couple

Our journey

We covered 272 km during these four days in Kazakhstan. You can see our route by clicking here to see the regularly updated map.

Did you know: Kazakhstan is five times the size of France, making it the 9th largest country in the world in terms of surface area. Its main source of income is oil. Its currency is the Tenge.