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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 21 Nov 2006
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dummies guide to China entry
Hi everyone

I know this topic has been covered in some detail before, but I have to admit I am still pretty confused. We are in the final stages of planning a RTW trip leaving in March next year, everything is going fine except the getting into China bit. As I understand it to get into China without a vehicle, just a tourist visa will suffice, however, with a vehicle we apparently need more than just the tourist visa. What exactly is this other documentation that we need? and how on earth do we get it?

We actually went down to the Chinese embassy to sort this out and they told us that we had to contact a travel company in this country who would 'sort it' for us. I have spoken to a number of companies and nobody seems to know how to get into China with a vehicle.

Please, please can somebody help?????

Oh yea just another quick one, we are planning to go in through Nepal into Tibet and down to Laos, I heard that this route is open, Does anyone know if that’s true, or do we have to go in from somewhere else?

Thanks for your time

Jason
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  #2  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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The official regulations are very simple:
1. Chinese drivers license.
2. Chinese registration for the vehicle.
3. Chinese guide to accompany when you are on the bike.
4. Chinese tourist visa.

If you get these four things you will have no problem at all getting into China. Expect to pay lots of money for having a travel agency do the first three for you. You can contact www.caravancafe.com if you are serious about shelling out the cash. They arranged the documents for me last year. Arranging these things on your own is virtually impossible.

As a general rule, the Chinese government does not really like independent travel, they prefer that you go on tours or be with an organized group. Especially in Tibet and Xinjiang province in the west. Inter-province travel within China can be even more difficult.

A few travellers have gotten into China independently with motorcycles, but far more have failed. Your chances of getting into China independently are probably less than 5%.

You can check out our blog at the address below for more information. Good luck.
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  #3  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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Try contacting the people in this post: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ighlight=china

seem like they've done it!
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  #4  
Old 24 Nov 2006
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Cheers guys

Thanks for the info I'll post when I have some info on what worked, if anything.

Jason
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