Caravanistan

Very easy crossing, but not much traffic mid-day so about an hour's wait for a share taxi to Panjakent to fill.

Good rates and quick exchange at the small booth right after TJ passport control.

TCell office at the border was open but didn't seem much interested in selling a SIM card.

Yes, March is too optimistic to expect a resolution of the travel restrictions. To repeat, because it is important, if you are leaving China to just about anywhere, there is the risk of being banned or quarantined, and this risk is likely to increase in coming weeks. So if you're now travelling in C...

February 2 report that Kyrgyzstan's borders with China are closed. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Kyrgyzstan_suspends_flights_closes_border_with_China_amid_coronavirus_outbreak-1402612? Remember that more and more places are banning entry to those who have been in Mainland China within the past 14 days...

Anyone planning a trip should assume the situation in coming weeks will be getting worse, not better. The virus however doesn't transmit well in hot weather, so it's reasonable though not certain to expect a resolution by summer, if not earlier.

Kazakhstan has stopped all rail, bus and air transport with China.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking- ... o-neighbor

"Gets pleasure in insulting and humiliating foreigners."

To be fair, there's a certain type of bureaucrat that treats Chinese people this way as well.

By the way, if you want to use domestic QR codes for payment -- like everyone in China does these days -- you can look into the Alipay Tour Pass.

IndiaMike.

(Study very carefully the weather for your itinerary and time of year there. India in the heat and rains is close to unbearable.)

When it comes to Wechat, I'll believe it when I see it. And those tempted to use Wechat should be aware that your account can suddenly be locked for no reason at all, sending you on a goose chase to find qualifying friends to help you unlock it. Or maybe suddenly requiring a photo of you and your pa...

Wechat has been promising this for two years now, but nobody's gotten it to work. Lots of people have wasted lots of time fiddling with Wechat, to no use (including me). So don't hold your breath.

Similarly Alipay. Wait till we get some positive report backs before you count on this.

Pinyin counts!

The hotel at that address is the Xi Yu Hotel 西域大酒店.

It is on ctrip Chinese and there is a notation that it accepts foreigners, so you can book online.

http://m.elong.com/hotel/03121001/