summer 2013 I'm intending to drive with 3 mates from the UK to Mongolia then Beijing and Tianjin before shipping Oz or Vancouver (if I run out of time)

Im a novice at overlanding and everyone says this is where to go to ask about the trip so my questions are:

Which car? And who should prepare it?
Which route?
How difficult is it to get into and drive in China?
Can you ship from China to Vancouver?

Many thanks

Looks like you have a lot of reading to do this is a good place to start

__________________
I once ruled the world, till mum told me it was only the garden!

I'll say upfront I've never done a journey like that. My own motoring adventures have been confined to Australia. But I do hope to do a similar journey in the future.

My thoughts, for what they are worth, are:

- Car choice: If you are capable of working on your own car, take something that you are familiar with if possible or is relatively simple for a Mongolian mechanic to fix if not. Also consider parts availability. Parts for an older Landrover, Hilux or Land Cruiser are available in most places. If you must take something oddball (it does add to the fun IMHO) find out what commonly breaks and take those items as spares. Also ensure you have contacts to airfreight in parts if the worst happens.

- China leg: Very expensive! You need a compusory guide, temporary import chinese registration and temporary drivers licence. If you can find another car or two taking the same route you can share the same guide which will reduce cost.

I'm sure others will chime in with more advice.

Cheers,
Brett.

__________________
May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures

Well you will love your mates at the end or hate them.

The car people tell you to take will depend on who you ask. The Landy or the Toyota are the top 2 most people look at and end up taking. In the end it is up to you. I have no idea about who you want to set it up if it was me Id set it up. The people that set it up will not be coming with you and you need to know your car well.

Your route will change a few times before you go and more as you overland.

China can be a pain to get in to and driver or ride. I looked in to it a little but the price was around $10,000. There are ways to get around that but it is a bit of cash to drop gust to follow someone. Then there is the time some have taken a year or more to get the paperwork done to go there and take a trip. I like the idea of going around and flying in to see the the places. And for the savings you can get around in south America or SE Asia. (may be bit hard with a car in SE)

There are people that have shipped cars in and out of china so yes you can. How well I have not looked but a looking it up there are shippers that will do it.

If you plan on 2013 you best start now with the paper work for Russia and China. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


Going to Mongolia then back in to Russia is a good away around need to ship to Japan or Korea then over I think.

There are carnets you may need as well as visas lots of stuff to do before you jump in the car and head out.

Someplace you may want to look at Overland Journal | The Publication for Environmentally Responsible, Worldwide Vehicle-Supported Expedition and Adventure Travel
nice people there as well.

Some thing you want to look at before going on a trip this size and problems. A bit smaller trip like gust around the EU in to the south and east of Europe gust for a test. If it dose not work out easy to get back home. Safe easy fast little paper work. Then the Americas, No carnets and few visa problems. Bit harder than the EU but a new feel to place. Huge area few language problems just 3 big ones and you know one. Then there getting the car over the gap but it is done so you can do it as well.

Read overlanders handbook by chris scott

see if you can get a copy of vehicle dependant expeditions by tom sheppard (see for sale section for details you may have to wait)

Vehicle will depend on what can you get and budgets

China will be an issue, only person I know who has been through was on a very expensive 'round the world in 80 days' type rally

Before preparing the car you need to make decisions on how you are living, ie. camping or local accomodation, cooking or local restaurants etc.

How much you got to spend on the car - remember that could up the carnet costs quite a bit. You could take a 1000 quid old pajaro and with a bit of prep would do the work, or an 80 series toyota which will cost alot more to buy.

Read up on carnets on this site.

Also look for pre-prepared vehicles for sale, often this is cheaper than buying a base vehicle and prepping it yourself and as the time will fly till next year may save you alot of work

__________________
Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

Have a read of "overlandwithkids" (google it) they did where you are planning, finished about 9months back IIRC I am sure Anne will be glad to give you advice .HTSH

Strange world isnt it , have just seen Cassie2 post in overland vehicle for sale , on this forum !!!