Hey....

Am planning a drive from Manzhouli/Zabaykalsk China/Russia to Vladivostok with a Honda Civic. I am interested to learn about the road conditions from the border to Chita and the latest on the Amur Highway M58 and the M60 South to Valdivostok.

Any news on the condition of the road, facilities (money/petrol/accommodation) and anything else of note would be appreciated. We'll have a tent, but would prefer not to use it and ideally stay some where cheap, even if not cheerful.

Also anyone with information on alternative ferry transportation from Vladivostok to Japan. DBD run a car ferry out of there, but wonder if anyone knows other companies presently operating who would ferry a car?

Lastly information about vehicle import into Russia, how does it work with regard to customs and re-export. Any advice would be useful.

Many thanks,

Jon

I did the road from Manzhouli to Chita in 2008, so my info might be a little dated, but even then the road was completely paved other than a short stretch past Zabaikalsk. The road wasn't great, but wasn't terrible either, and was certainly doable in a Civic. I don't recall about hotels between Manzhouli and Chita, but IIRC Chita was not very far so you might just want to shoot for there.

In Chita there is a rather odd hotel called the Panama City Motel which is a US-style motel, complete with the little motel buildings for sleeping. Last time I was there (2010) the little buildings were closed for some reason. Panama city is probably not the cheapest place, but it is kind of weird and moreover has guarded parking and is next door to a bowling alley/restauarant/night club. Overall kind of an unusual place to stay...

From what I saw in 2010, accommodation is rather sparse between Chita and Never, near Skovorodino, which is where the turn-off to Yakutsk is located. There is a decent hotel about two km past (East) of the turn off to Yakutsk, on the left (Northern) side of the road.

There is lots of info on the HUBB about temp vehicle import to Russia, I would take a look and come back with any specific questions. There is also info about ferries from Vladi and contact info.

There is a ferry from Sakhalin island to Japan.
DBS Cruise Ferry has the overpriced monopoly from Vladivostok.
You could possibly arrange regular cargo transport from Vlad, but I doubt that you would be able to ride on the same ship in that case.

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Japan touring information

I did the road 5month ago, from Chita to Vladivostok the road is perfect, fuel every 200km-250km.
For hotel, in Chita/russia use Booking.com to reserve a room, or they might not accept you. Don't forget to ask the reception for the official registration.
Unfortunately, for accommodation along the m58 it will be difficult until Khabarovsk. We had to camp one or two time.

An other ferry to Japan is at Vanino-Sakhalin Vanino - Kholmsk line and then hearthlandferry to Hokkaido. It is advantageous to take this road with motorcycle, you can save 300 euro on the alternative which is the Vladivostok ferry. It might not be the same for car. Be advise, the road to Vanino is full of potholes and can be muddy for 200km.

For import/export in Russia, with EU plate, it is simple. They give you a temporary import paper at the border, free of charge, that you will have to give back when exiting.

as the others said the road is good and fuel plentifull. The winter may have taken it's toll on the road but any "rough" bits will only be for a short distance

The motel Panama is ok and we stayed in the main building in 2011 , it was safe and secure for the bikes the road into it was a little rough deep potholes and mud 52 04 45.69 N 113 29 01.14 E zoom in on google earth and you can see .

Myself and my buddy Martin (Strimstrum) also stayed in hotels in Belogorsk 50 55 20.03 N 128 28 04.79 E and Birobidzhan 48 47 17.87 N
128 28 04.79 E the rest was camping.

For all your options of leaving Vladivostok get in touch with Yuri Melnikov e-mail ymelnik@links-ltd.com
and let him know Martin and Mark say hi
Mark

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There is a hotel in Svobodny also, along with a nice active biker community.

If take you the Saklin Island Ferry I believe you can avoid getting a CDP.

There is also a border crossing at Blagoveshchensk, which quite a pretty city, but that might be to far out of your way. There is a huge city on the Chinese side.

The Road from Borzya (Russian side of Manzhouli) to Chita is now all good asphalt. I rode it in 2010.

As others have said, from Chita to Vladivostok is very good asphalt.

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Hey everybody, I was just wandering what kind of drivers you have for drive in china/ what is required???