China: self-drive & without a guide...it's possible!
 

Hi everyone,

I have some very exciting news to share with you all which could, potentially, revolutionise the overlanding route from Europe to Oceania (or vice versa).

Myself and two fellow motorbikers (my hubby & a friend) have just successfully concluded a 2-month GUIDE-LESS traverse of China, from Kyrgyzstan to Laos.
From everything we gathered, this is the first LEGAL self-ride and guide-less tour of China. It took us 18 months to organize, and over a year to find an agent willing to hear us out. The law changed in China in 2013 making it perfectly legal for foreign overlanders to drive unaccompanied...yet finding an agent willing to accept and 'test' this was the hardest thing we've ever done!
But we did it, and the agent is so pleased that all worked out well that he is willing to start offering this service to anyone interested in crossing China.

If you're interested have a quick read of my latest blog post, where I detail the basics.

There is, to be honest, a heck of a lot more to share. I am already receiving queries and assume there will be soon a barrage of repeated questions. If you give me some time, I may just make another (more detailed) blog post.
Personally, I don't think this will necessarily suit everyone. We've just met a couple with a camper who did a guided traverse and they are of the opinion that they still would have wanted a guide nonetheless. They are not confident they could have done it alone.

Chris (my partner) and I have been on the road, continuously, for over a decade. China may have had it's hurdles, but we found it no more challenging that parts of Africa, South America or the Middle East. Same goes for the language/cultural barrier/bureaucracy etc etc.

From our end, the most important message we'd love to get across is that China should not be seen as simply a country to 'cross through' but a bona fide overlanding destination. It is incredibly beautiful and boasts innumerable natural wonders which simply blew us away. MOST of the country is stunning wilderness, which is the complete opposite of what we have always believed. Steer clear of the eastern side (where most of the 1.3 billion people live) and you'll enjoy a bush camping heaven bar none.

If you want any more info on this please contact me, otherwise feel free to spread the wonderful news!! :))) It's a great day for motorbike overlanding! :D

Cheers from Laos
Laura

fan tas tic
 

Hi Laura
That's excellent news, fantastic and thank you for sharing.
As you rightly say no doubt you will be inundated with questions, I have many !
but i will wait for the blog update.

I just wanted to say thanks.

now, off to read your current blog.

many, many thanks.

phil.

This is very good news! Thank you for posting!

Honestly, I was never 100% convinced that having a guide was strictly an obligation by law (I never found any official statement that any law requires it). I do agree that some areas have restrictions (for reasons we may understand). I've posted once a link to some official statements, not sure if it is country-wide rule. But no statement about having a guide or not.

Re-posted Here: Procedures for Temporary Entry Vehicles and Drivers

Definitely resketching my 2015 route :D

keep dancin'
 

Hey guys,
it is such a pleasure Phil to share the news and Arkean you are absolutely right, although we have now learnt that there is nothing even resembling a 'country wide law' in china. Gotta deal with the country province by province.

I'll try and finalise my second post soon, but I already know that it probably won't answer all the questions eheh
Baby steps I reason!
Cheers
Laura

This is fantastic news. This is what we "all" have been waiting for... Now to find a container from Colombia to Vladiwostok?

Adventurous greetings,
Coen

Hey guys!

You would not believe the number of emails I have received in the last 5 days...blimey!
Not that I was rushed or anything ahaha...but here is a blog update! Part 1 is about on all the things you need to know BEFORE you go.

What you need to know-Part 1

Please wait until part 2 is also published and then feel free to message me if you still have questions :thumbup1:

Cheers for now! Laura

thanks again Laura. top girl.

Great! Thanks to you for sharing that excellent news! :)

Nihao
 

Laura,
this is great news, and I'm sure you've had a terrific time in this great country. Burma, now China, it looks like the continent is slowly opening up.

Now I understand you've spent hours and days on this, but just one simple question: how can you be sure it is legal ? I mean, there have been dozens of reports of people who've been illegally driving in China without a problem. Granted, they were on locally registered bikes, but as you mentioned, so are yours with temporary license plates. Somebody even claimed to have talked his way through the customs form Kaz without showing the proper papers. Motorbikes in China are everywhere and don't attract attention so people have been taking advantage of that.

The point is, until an accident happens (God forbids) or a thorough police investigation takes place, there's always the possibility of some authorities pulling a law from under the table and going, we're going to impound your vehicle and deport you. Or maybe even without a law backing it.. although this is the case in many other countries and we still drive there.

In any case, are you guys starting a business to help and streamline the process for other overlanders ? that would be great news, and I, like many others here, would be interested. Mongolia to Laos, anyone ? (from what you're saying I reckon that between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan the situation hasn't changed).

Looking forward to your next adventures !
Laurent

Hey Laurent,

Yes, it really does look like this part of the world is opening up slowly slowly. Chris, my partner, has his eyes set on Nth Korea next! ahahah NO WAY! I want some easy life for the rest of the year thanks :)))

Absolutely there have been people who started with groups and then ditched them, and I am sure a few have gotten through the whole country with no paperwork at all, by paying bribes or just sneaking through.
Anyway, to keep the answer to your question as simple as possible: we know that our independent traverse was legal because we had permits that said it was. It is really that simple.

Of course a wayward policeman can make up any excuse to pull you over, request a fine be paid or impound your vehicle but as you rightly say, this is actually the case in MOST countries around the world, outside of developed Western ones. But I believe this to be a different matter altogether.

Anyway...we just want to outline the basics for everyone who wants to follow suit, but then we will leave it to Ricard and his team to take over. As excited as I still am about our China trip (it is an amazing country!) I am also keen to organize all the info I have, share it with the world and get back to my travel-life. I was an overland tour guide for 6 years and do logistics well but I no longer have the desire to do it full-time!
Anything else you need though...just let me know!
Cheers for now
Laura :)

Hello Laura, thank you very much for your information.
It's really is a very good news, I will' just receive an account to enter by Kyrgyzstan in China in may 2015 to go by Bulgan border with Mongolia.;
she ask me, 2800 euros for just 2200 km and the guide behind me.


I follow your blog
cheers.
thierry

Do you have a working web site we can go to,the one listed on facebook did not go thru here in the US?

Hi Thierry!
Yes I know, the guided tour costs are astronomical, yet having said this the border permit costs themselves are also quite substantial. A crossing of China is not yet ‘cheap’ by any means, but at least one can save on the cost of guide after Xinjinag.

@ Yokesman...which site are you referring to?
Have a look at my latest blog, Ricard’s contact details are at the end :) Click here

I should have perhaps detailed the fact that China Tierra de Aventura does not yet advertise this service and this is why I took on the task to outline as much as possible and share as much info as I can, to save them having to answer all the repetitive emails. Hopefully, by the time my second post is done, most overlanders will just contact him for a quote...knowing all the requirements involved.
Anyway, I’ll try and get Part 2 posted today! Cheerio to all

great news....
i'm planing crossing China in two and half years...more than enough time for preparation...

Thank you for that great news!

My Path leads in direction of the Panamericana, but we never now where this trip is over. At least the next trip will lead to the silk road.

Surfy