I plan to be travelling through China some time in the future by 4x4 but too late for everyone in this group. But I am very interested in sitting down and trying to work out the logistics of what is involved. When I do hit the road, I'd like to be in a position to help out some others if that is possible. I'm in London. if people are interested, shall we meet and discuss?

Richard,
When are you planning to go?

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www.overlandwithkids.com

Not to 2012 I'm afraid. Lon to NZ. Landrover Freelander 2.2.

2 kids + wife.

We are beginning our planning.

Options
(i) through Myanmar - no chance but I do plan to go and visit their embassy and have a chat.
(ii) shipping from India to Thailand - do-able I think but boring and takes time
(iii) through China having first gone in through the Stans in the north and down to Pakistan on KKH. Then up from Nepal into China for the second time and across to Laos/ Vietnem. We could go through southern Pakistan, but I've never been through the Stans so would prefer that route. Cost/ routes/ borders etc...need to work it all out.

Have gone by m/c from Lon to Singapore in 2003 but flew bike from Nepal to Bangkok last time

Richard,
Good luck with it. Maybe by the time you go restrictions regarding guided self-tours might be a thing of the past - here's hoping!

We have a LR CSW 110 300 Tdi. One thing I did find out is that a carnet is not recognised in China. According to the company we have been speaking to a different system exists i.e. you are required to leave 50% of the value of the vehicle at the border before entering China (approx 14 days before and I think you would need to make some deposit toward this before - at booking stage). Once the deposit is paid, you won't get this back until possibly 30-40 days following exit - sometimes it can be as little as 25 days depending on how busy they are. Make, model, photos must all be supplied beforehand and if you get to the border and the officials believe the vehicle is worth more - they will ask for further payment. The full deposit is returned however but it is a bit of pain to have to part with such cash especially when it is needed to continue funding travels. The agency we have been speaking to advise that if we were to book a full 5 months in advance, they will pay 50% toward the deposit for us but we must confirm the booking well in advance for us in order to enable them to prepare the required amount for transfer.

We have also been advised with regard to trailers or what is known as a 'train', as long the trailer has the same number plate as the vehicle, this will be accepted as one vehicle requirement and costs for the trip will be based on this.

Will let you know how we get on with it all as we progress.

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www.overlandwithkids.com

Well, here's a long shot,
I have been working in China a fair old while now.
So a few weeks ago I started to make questions, how to get a full Chinese driving licence.
I have a full UK car and Big bike.
So looking to get a full equivalent Chinese licence.
Any way, cutting a long story shorter, I can get the full equivalent Chinese licence, 550.00 pounds.
A bit expensive I thought, but then I realised that I would not need to do the Chinese theory, or the Chinese driving tests.
Then I would not need a guide, and I wonder if I could also maybe 'acting' guide for others?

'vette

Hi, Thanks for looking at it, first question have you got 6 weeks to spare?. I believe then you need to be registered as a tour operator. If you contact CITS which I think is the goverment tour company. They will be the ones that can possibly confir this and maybe help you register as a tour company. I wish you luck and please net me know how you get on.

Jimmy 46

Hi,
Was just wondering about bikes going through China. Is the legal view that they can't transit highways or are there other restrictions as to where can travel. Have been reading mixed views. Those who seem to have got in illegally seem to have gone where they liked and just taken their chances without too much hassle or problem - apart from being stopped and then sent on their way. Then I read the more legal looking views which say bikes can only transit to/from certain points - have I got this all wrong or completely roughly right?

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www.overlandwithkids.com

Hi cassie I believe that bikes are prohibited from using the Highway as in the major fast transit roads. They are also prohibited from entering some cities. A search in google will list the cities and the highways that cannot be used. Having said all the above from all travellers accounts i have read any transgretions seem to have been dealt with on the spot with no great issues.

Jimmy46

As I thought - useful to know. Thanks Jimmy!

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www.overlandwithkids.com

Hi there Anne - Idon't know if this has changed, but we let no deposit at the Chinese border - this was September this year.

Also the bikes we were travellering with had an independent spirit, and just rode on the rodes they wanted to, and no oen was bothered (once they had ridden off in the distance). But people did try and stop them ...

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Thanks Ollie. Funnily enough Jimmy PM'd me the same info and by chance I had already been making checks with another agency yesterday to try to get further clarification on this. I received a reponse today as follows:

"Your CPD Carnet or ATA Carnet is not accepted by China Customs for travel purpose because China is not registered for it. You do not need to pay China Customs any money for your vehicle driving into China. Our company will offer the Customs a guarantee for your vehicle traveling in China. But you may pay about RMB50—100yuan for the vehicle disinfection when you drive through the border between China and Mongolia".


Not sure what the deal is here or whether it's the case that agencies maybe have differing arrangements with China customs.

So - (if I include agency I think Ollie used - Zyztours?) then 2 out of 3 companies so far say you don't need to leave deposit and/or arrange guarantee on your behalf.

I will get back to the initial agency who said I need to pay a deposit and report back.

Thanks all.

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www.overlandwithkids.com

Sorry but Im not here to play their games. Im gonna try my best to make it across by getting in one way or another, somewhere where borders may still be disputed maybe. Where there is a will there is a way and I enjoy being sneaky. Has anyone on this site actually made it across without paying ridiculous amounts of money for guides, licensing etc...? Or has anyone had their motorbike or vehicle trucked across to laos? You may as well as you would probably see more going with someone else rather than a guide driving you through and sticking to the government planned routes and agendas. If Anyone is keen to meet me and give it a go I should be over that way around end of July and start of August. Who's up for some fun.

Go on, you no you need to, someone has to tell me happens if im caught?

Im doing the Uk to Australia journey and need to do it overland, leaving in just 2 more weeks!!!

Check out www.slowbikes.com for Jakes trip from UK through China to Australia. It was a few years ago now and things are always changing.

Jimmy46

Oh yes, the disenfectant. We had to pay that, and on our way out they asked for the receipt. No sense whatsoever, but of course we had lost it, and so they weren't going to let us out unless we paid for it to be done again (on the way out of the country!!!!!)

Two hours of stubborn refusing later and we were alowed out, but remember, keep all your entry receipts!!!!

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Hi Andrew

your route is possible and the earliest time in China will in 3 months,end of April if we work on it from now.

the costs for your trip in China: about 14000 Euro for 2 Motorbikes/15days. (permission fee, guide, work car, driver, insurance fee...)

I will give you detail quotation if you agree with this basis.

regards

yan




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Need i say that i am very sad at what people think money is worth !!!



Andy.. I'm going to fly over china