My wife, and I together with our two small children are heading to NZ in 2012.

We are drinving a landrover discovery 2.

We have largely settled on our route now.

We will be making our way from Iran to Nepal and aim to cross into China along the Freedom Highway. This will take us via Lhasa in Tibet and then onto the border with Laos.

For this part of the trip I will be driving alone, although possibly with a mate from the UK who is thinking about coming along to Lhasa and maybe onwards to the border. The family have decided against China at this stage due to the altitude.

Our plan is to leave uk at the start of April 2012. I exepct to cross into China in mid August.

I am currently negotiating with a guide company as to the costs involved and I'm sure I will shortly reach an agreeable deal.

Plan is 7 days from Khatmandu to Lhasa and 14 days to border of Laos

If there is another 4x4 out there who wants to look at teaming up and share some of the costs, let me know. Equally, maybe some bikes but I understand that bikes are not allowed to use the motorways in China. Fine by me but the route may take longer and this would need to be factored in.

Once I have agreed the costs I will post the details for future reference.

cheers
Richard (Kiwi)

So far I have contacted the following guide companies:

Nature Adventure Voyage Off-road (NAVO)
Mr Wang Lun nature_lunwang@hotmail.com
Taher of Kashgar New Land International Travel service newlandtravel@hotmail.com

Two of them have provided quotes to date.

Any other recommended companies I should contact?

thanks
Richard

Hi Richard,
could you tell us if you managed to get a nice deal with the guides, and how your trip turned out? I am planning on doing a motorcycle trip in China from Pakistan to Kirghizistan, and am actively looking for an honest and if possible cheap guide, so every bit of information would be appreciated!

Thanks a lot,

Samuel

Hi Richard, being old and knackered but travelwise I still would like to ride to and indeed, through China but up to now have considered it too expensive. If you can come up with a good deal, I would be very interested. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky

Hello all,

I read with great interest about driving through China.
Well, actually driving from UK to Weifang, where I live in China.
Weifang is 700km south of Beijing.
China is my second home, as I spend a greater part of my year there than any where else.

I arrive back in China, May 13th, and before I will leave Beijing airport, i will apply for a chinese driving licence, this is a temporary licence, for the duration of your visa. (providing you can show a UK passport adn a full UK driving licence)

Assuming I get my temporary chinese licence, do I still need a guide? of can my soon to be, Chinese wife be my guide ?

Are the guides part of a special organisation?

vette

You need a guide if you want to drive your own foreign-registered vehicle in China. Your situation is very different, as you arrive by air.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

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Hi Wuming,

I dropped in at the Traffic Police at Beijing airport yesterday 13 May 2011.
They said I can have a tempory licence for Beijing, no problem.
When I said it was to drive my own (Chinese) car, they said because my visa is more than 3 months (12 month visa) then I can have a full and proper Chinese licence.
They suggested I not bother to apply in Beijing, but they gave me the address and all the details of whats needed, of the traffic dept. in Weifang, Shandong, where i live.

So, if this is all true, then I will shortly have a full Chinese licence.
Sure this don't mean I can drive my car from UK right into China, but I see it as a "part way step".

'vette

Perhaps not, but you can probably drive the other way now. I have seen Chinese cars in Laos.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

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Hi Wuming,
For sure I will keep this ball rolling, I know there is a huge interest in China, and it seems to be growing all the time.
Zibo is not far, I pass Zibo every time I go to Beijing, Zibo about 2 hours away.
I will try throw a line to ZMC888

vette

.
I think when me and the good lady tie the knot later in the year, in China, I will collect a residence certificate shortly after.
I am sure then I will be good to go, or maybe.
I think it's more to do with it being a foreign registered car, more so than the driving licence.

'vette