Thanks Laura, reading your stories and explanations. And again, feel great for you to have met some nice Chinese and spent good days in China. This is what we want see, all travellers enjoy their time in China.

For for the self driving permit, Maybe we are too conservative on this, and didn't know what other guys are offering. On the latest Permit I had three days ago, it says clearly a professional people from tour company has to accompany the whole tour. If there is anything bla bla bla, the company and the company owner have to be responsible for everything happens. There is also a seperate agreement that we have to sign with China toursim bureau to further claim the responsibilty for all authorities,national tourism bureau, public security department, army head quater, customs and border securities etc...

Good luck to you all, happy travels!
If you need a hand, need a spare part or need a garage to service your bikes in this little corner of the world, on your RTW tour, visit us in Kunming Yunnan, southwest of China.

Hi RideChina,

Thanks for the offer of help and support, this would certainly be of great help to very many overlanders.
Yet what would be of even greater help, is if you could do some research and strive to offer independent self-drive tours. This is what everyone is in need of, more than anything else. Travelling through China without a guide.

If our permits distinctly stated that we could drive independently (hence, no guide needed), then surely you can also organise that for others.

Yes I understand the whole concept of 'responsibility' in China. Just last year an agent went to jail because he rented a motorbike to a foreigner without the proper paperwork. The foreigner had an accident and perished, and the agent was held responsible. I understand this onus of responsibility is probably the biggest hurdle to get over, yet I believe that if you go through the right channels the risk is severely diminished.

What would be fantastic, is if there were more agencies willing to explore the option of independent travel which, I'll stress again, is allowed by law.
All the very best
Laura

My planning from India to Uk took over 18 months. I had to skip China due to the phenomenal cost I could not afford. I was also informed that 5 person of same nationality have to travel together which is Bull Shit. These so called agents come up with such things once they feel or know that you are looking for other agencies. I had to transport my bike to Bishkek then. I feel sorry that I could not go through China. Laura73 now I shall persue what you have mentioned. Travel wuthout a guide.

Hey KayJay,

That sounds really great, please do keep updating this post, especially when you find a feasible option for travelling without a guide. I hope it doesn't take another 18 months of work like it did for us, and it did for you on your last trip!

If it helps with your search, we have the contact of other companies willing to let foreign overlanders go it alone. The details of Ricard you all already have, so why not try your luck with:

Kashgar Adventure International-Mr Taher- kashgaradvantour@hotmail.com

He quoted us for a Torugart Pass to Laos border trip, 3 motorbikes, 60 days, NOT Tibet and NO guide, 3000 euros per bike.We paid less with Ricard, so that's why we went with him instead.

We also had another company who begrudgingly admitted that the laws had changed in 2013, but their quote was the same as for a fully-guided trip. Something ridiculous like 6,500 euros per bike. We declined :)))

Now...where there are 3...there WILL be more. It's up to other determined and hard-working overlanders to find them ;)

My last point, and this is in response to all the emails I have received lately from people complaining about whatever quote Ricard has given them...
So far, most have been asking for a quote INCLUDING Tibet or had other specifications (ie. travelling with a dog etc). These are the things which will make the price skyrocket.

An independent traverse of China is NOT necessarily cheaper than doing the same in a large convoy. When you travel as a group, your permission permits are processed as one, so you actually share not only the cost of the guide BUT ALSO the cost of the permits!!

Travelling through China is about FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE and not meant as a simple cost-cutting option. Freedom when travelling, for us, is utterly priceless.

Best of luck and very happy and exciting travels
Laura :scooter:

Hi everyone!

Guess what? We've found yet ANOTHER agent ready to help you cross into China independently :D
I know this has been a frustrating topic over the last months, especially as I've been receiving countless emails from disgruntled overlanders stating that Ricard, and China Tierra de Aventurra, still charge too much money for single, lone travellers. As Hendrick from TibetMoto will attest, this are prices set by the Chinese Government and agents (even the seemingly greedy ones) are making very little money.
How does 1.355,- EUR per motorcycle (with 60 days in China!) in a group of 4 sound to you? Pretty damn good I'd say!

As per usual I've posted all details on my website, as it's easier to share on all diff. forums.

Could someone pleaaaaaase keep me informed on their own crossing so we can all finally celebrate yet another successful independent crossing of this amazing country which-is-frustrating-the-heck-out-of-everyone??!!
Thanks! Laura :D

Travel Independently through China…Take 2! | Laura's Travel Tales

Thanks a ton Luara. This sounds great. Will look up your website.

I was one of the disappointed ones when the reports came about the pricing.

1400 Euro is expensive but not impossible. I am in Africa now but will be in Asia within a year or so. I anxiously hope that the pricing will hold and I can organize a small group to cross China. That would be fantastic!

Thanks for your hard work on this topic.

1400 euros is damn good against 7300 USD I was quoted for 2 persons on one bike from Nepal to Kyrgyzstan.

You are all very welcome. I'd just be ecstatic when reports start coming in of other overlanders crossing on their own.
Good luck to everyone! :))

Thanks for the great work keeping this going and updated Laura, much appreciated by many I'm sure!

Has anyone already crossed the chinese/russian border at Kraskino-Hunchun, which is close to Vladivostok? Google-earth shows a nice checkpoint... Is it possible riding thru there for us overlanders...?

Well myself and my wife have full Chinese driving licences.

Wasn't easy, but we did the tests, and have legitimate genuine licences.
Valid 6 years.

No guides needed for us then.

vette

Me and Dora drove from South-East China to Kyrgyzstan last year on a Suzuki GS125. 12,000 km and three months. No guide, no Chinese driving license, not the registered owners of the bike (only a letter of permission). The only difficulty was at the border, leaving China, but eventually got through.

https://plus.google.com/photos/10330...09263004099409

More info here:

Recomendation for Dual-sport Bike for Trip from China to Europe - Page 10

Edit: I'll make a new thread.

I want to drive from India thro China without a guide.

David what diificulty did u have leaving China ? Did they ask for a Carnet on entry ?