From China to Kyrgyzstan: An Extraordinary Journey with Leopard 3 Ultra

The Original Plan and How It Changed

I originally planned to drive my Lexus from Kuwait to China, but the vehicle import procedures changed everything. I found out that the arrangements would take at least three months and require a Chinese guide throughout the journey. Instead, I decided to fly to China, buy a car there, and export it to Kyrgyzstan to continue my adventure.

I chose Kyrgyzstan for its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and open spaces. I was looking for a place where I could travel and enjoy nature, with the car being an essential part of this experience.

I benefited from the car in powering cooking appliances, electric kettles, pressure cookers, and outdoor heaters, which reduced my need to carry gas canisters

Choosing the Leopard 3 Ultra Electric

This coincided with the launch of the fully electric Leopard 3 Ultra. I was impressed by its large battery and the ability to use electricity while traveling. My needs went beyond driving—I needed to power cooking appliances, heat water, and run heating systems. I bought it early after its launch in China and arranged with an export company to ship it to Kyrgyzstan.

The Journey Through China and Kazakhstan

I started my journey alone in China, then headed toward the Kazakh border. I faced some difficulties at the crossing, but they were resolved and I managed to enter. After that, I left the car on the Kazakh side and visited Khorgos Market in the border region with China. The market was so large that I spent two nights there before returning to the car and continuing to Almaty.

Almaty was one of the most beautiful stops on my journey. I found comfort and the services I needed, including car charging, and spent a week enjoying the city and its surroundings.

Entering Kyrgyzstan and Border Challenges

I continued to Kyrgyzstan, where I faced an unexpected situation. At the border, I discovered that exporting the car from China to Kyrgyzstan required it to be transported on a flatbed truck. It took about seven hours to resolve the matter, then the car crossed on the truck. After passing the border, I drove it again and completed the license plate procedures.

Exploring Kyrgyzstan's Nature

From there, I began the nature tours I had traveled for. I moved between many areas in Kyrgyzstan, visiting its mountains and lakes. Even after all these tours, I was drawn back to Almaty once more before returning to Kyrgyzstan.

A Year in Storage and Getting Back on the Road

After the trip, I left the car in a garage for a full year without moving it. The charge level was at 60% when I parked it, and when I returned, it was at 45%. By the time I wrote this review, I had been using it again for a month with no issues, and I installed a SIM card to activate the app. I'm now continuing my adventures in a mountainous region.

Range and Consumption on Different Roads

Based on my real-world use, the car reached approximately 500 kilometers under favorable conditions—on flat roads or gentle descents with no strong winds. On highway driving with cruise control, it comfortably covered around 400 kilometers. In highlands, the range decreases depending on the road terrain and elevation, so I plan my trips according to charging station locations.

Charging and Trip Planning

From the stations I used, charging from 20% to 80% took around half an hour or less, with faster stations available in cities. Knowing the charging locations before departing was a crucial part of traveling, especially when heading to remote areas.

Using Its Large Battery for Camping

While camping, I benefited greatly from the car in powering cooking appliances, electric kettles, pressure cookers, and outdoor heaters. I started making coffee and tea and cooking with electricity, which reduced my need to carry gas canisters. I kept charcoal only for grilling and the joy of a good campfire.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This journey started with a plan to drive my Lexus and ended with buying an electric car and traveling between China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. I faced some complications at the borders, but the experience gave me the chance to discover places I fell in love with and return to them.

For anyone who loves nature, I recommend visiting Kyrgyzstan. If you prefer not to drive your own vehicle, renting a 4x4 with a driver who knows the areas is a good option to enjoy the trip.