A way around China from Vietnam

[maximondo]

I am planning a trip from Bangkok to Europe through Russia and Mongolia.

I do not really want to go through India, Pakistan, way.... I would like to do that another time.

So I am wondering what the best way to transport my bike through / over or around China. Since riding through China is pretty much impossible.

My thoughts are
a. I could fly it over to mongolia.
b. fly via japan
c. put it on the train through china

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[pecha72]

Sorry I may be giving you one more thing to worry about, but getting your own bike into Vietnam is a headache similar to getting it into China. Or, actually, China seems to be possible, but as far as I know, Vietnam is not.

We actually tried several times last winter, and we had 115cc bikes (or scooters) because there was some talk that under 175cc might be possible. It wasnt. And any bigger bikes then.. might be easier to get them into China I think!

Theres been a rumour about Vietnam lifting the ban on bikes, but so far thats nothing more than just a rumour, will only believe it when I see it. And when the new rules would be applied at their land borders, who knows. Communicating with the Vietnamese officials is a bit hard, too, unless you speak their language. Very few of them spoke any english (some spoke french, though).

Into Laos its possible and they share border with China.

[maximondo]

To sum up china

- you can only travel in western china
- go through a travel agency
- takes 3 months to prepare
- cost a fair bit of money

there has been a couple of exceptions. ie: through Laos (motorbike rego in china)

For the south east Asia your literally trapped! most people head for India via flying but i am not really keen for this, being a female by her self!