It sounds like you've made up your mind about going to China, but I want to mention a couple of things based on my trip through China in 2008.

I was also part of a group, and have to say that riding through China was a very frustrating experience. We had to travel in convoy with a lead and trail guide and could not deviate from the set route, or even stop for pictures along the way! We had a start and stop at specified places along the route, even if it meant riding long after dark.

Basically think of all the things most people like about riding (freedom, flexibility, spontaneity), and then subtract them. China could be an absolutely spectacular riding destination, but as long as you have to have a guide I will never go back (on a bike).

Would be interesting to hear if others have a similar impression of riding in China, I can't say that I've seen many people raving about their transits through China with an official group.

Having rode through the western part of China last year, I can say it is a lot better than motorieters trip in 2008

Although the Chinese gov did stuff up our whole trip prep and changed the route, we still managed to ride.

Our guide was driven by a couple in our group who had a 4WD, so we saved on car and driver cost. We were allowed to ride between each lodging by our selves, the only stipulation being that before entering the destination town/city, we waited for the guide at the outskirts. As he knew the area, it made our trip all the better, no need for navigation, just head for a town and wait. We could stop at our leisure, take photos etc whatever, but there are many police and/or military checkpoints, so if we were stopped, the 4wd normally caught us up and if there were any dramas, our guide fixed them

I think it is worth the hassle, even though the Chinese drivers got their driving abilities from the cornflakes packet, they are shocking drivers and quite suicidal

But, other than that, it can be fun.

Note, I only rode Xianxang province, where we were allowed to ride on the interstate, in fact we had no real choice, it is the only road that crosses the Gobi desert. In the east, interstates/highways and toll roads are off limits to motorbikes. This means you are shunted along with the trucks onto the secondary roads. From 1st hand accounts, these can be a bit scary, especially the hilly territory as all the trucks constantly keep their brakes cool with water, which means oily water at every turn, so it may be a bit slippery.

Cheers
TS

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Hi Motoreiter & TravellingStrom:

Thanks for the warnings, I have been thinking in that, not fun at all on having a fixed route, fixed time frame and a guide (at least an official one), but China looks so interesting that we want to try it.

We will try to join a group when time comes; if we can't, we will take some "normal people tour", at least to go to the Great Wall and to Tibet.

Cheers

If you go the long way via China, Mongolia, Russia, you can bypass carnet countries (Iran, Pakistan, Nepal & India) but this increases the expense for china & you still need the carnet for Australia. Also Indonesia requires it if you go there. Malaysia likes for you to have one. Kyrgyzstan does not require carnet.

Check those percentages because I believe it's determined by the countries you intend to visit, not the bike's country of origin. If I remember correctly, Pakistan & India are 150 or 200%.

Our experience in china was also frustrating. The company seemed inexperienced, especially with a moto convoy. The DMV took a couple days with us waiting outside. No one bothered to tell us what was going on. We got smacked with extra costs and substandard accommodation as well. But the whole thing was very interesting with western china Uighur culture. We were elated to cross into Pakistan tho

I have to agree with the above posts that riding through China is a frustrating experience. We (two motorbikes) did a 6-day 'tour' from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan via Kashgar earlier this year, 3 days of which were spent getting the bikes in and out of the country (you don't know bureaucracy until you've been to China with a vehicle...). The rest of the time we had to follow the guide's jeep.

It is also very expensive, especially for bikers since the guide will need his own car. Rules change every year and our guide told us in the future permits will have to be applied for per province you want to visit, which will make it even more expensive and time consuming.

If you do decide to ride China, join a group like you're planning to do to get the cost down (you'll need to very flexible in terms of dates tho). If you'll organise it yourself, shop around because there's huge differences in price and professionalism between agencies. But personally, I'll leave my bike at home or in another country when I visit China again

Good luck!

hi,

Thanks to everybody for your answers.... maybe when time comes, I will think again about going to china in the bike, maybe will be better go on foot.

cheers,

Estimado amigo, creo que estamos en casi un mismo dilema.
En mi pagina puedes ver la ruta que voy a hacer por Asia y vas a tener bastante información de Australia...en Australia gaste U$S 40 diarios de presupuesto.Para algunos países de Asia ese puede ser el presupuesto semanal.
Cuando veas la ruta,vas a ver que bien valen los riesgos.
He comprado una moto de 125 cc en Australia y la vendí...ahora voy a comprar otra en India o alquilarla para todo el trayecto.
Hay un link donde puedes ver mucha información de la que buscas: Redirecting
mi blog es The Dreams Trip / El viaje de los sueños
Espero que te sirva de guia.
Saludos.
Ernesto