London to China. Access and Visa info please!

[rb982]

Hi Everyone,

We are two UK nationals planning an overland trip from London to China and are after some experienced knowledge. We want to head down through Europe to Turkey then on to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, possibly Kazakhstan and then in to China.

The first leg of the trip from London to Turkey seems pretty straightforward with no visa issues. From here on we don’t have much knowledge or experience.

From what I understand Georgia and Armenia seem straightforward with a UK passport only requiring a visa on arrival but info/confirmation of this would be great!?

Azerbaijan seems quite vague and the consulate website seems very confusing. Does anyone have any experience of overlanding here?

I have read on the UK Iran visa page that visas here need an invitation or a guided tour, but I have read that an invitation code purchased from iranianvisa.com or similar will suffice. Anybody have any experience of this recently? Ie success rate, procedure, timescales and costs etc?

From then on does anyone have any experience of obtaining access/visas in to Tukmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and China? Does anyone have information such as overland access and obtaining advanced visas en-route or on arrival, and general info on success rate, costs and entry issues?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Ross.

[eurasiaoverland]

Originally Posted by rb982

Hi Everyone,

We are two UK nationals planning an overland trip from London to China and are after some experienced knowledge. We want to head down through Europe to Turkey then on to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, possibly Kazakhstan and then in to China.

The first leg of the trip from London to Turkey seems pretty straightforward with no visa issues. From here on we don’t have much knowledge or experience.

From what I understand Georgia and Armenia seem straightforward with a UK passport only requiring a visa on arrival but info/confirmation of this would be great!?

You'll be stamped into both visa-free.

Azerbaijan seems quite vague and the consulate website seems very confusing. Does anyone have any experience of overlanding here?

Azerbaijan has a bit less to offer than its neighbours but is worth visiting. It used to be that you could only transit with a vehicle for 72 hours but these days I think you can stay as long as your visa. I have not been for a few years, but I think people get e-visas these days which are simple. Don't listen to people who tell you that you can't visit Azerbaijan after Armenia, this is nonsense.

I have read on the UK Iran visa page that visas here need an invitation or a guided tour, but I have read that an invitation code purchased from iranianvisa.com or similar will suffice. Anybody have any experience of this recently? Ie success rate, procedure, timescales and costs etc?

Sadly, at present (since the middle of this year) UK nationals are not allowed to drive their own vehicle in Iran. No way around this.

From then on does anyone have any experience of obtaining access/visas in to Tukmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and China? Does anyone have information such as overland access and obtaining advanced visas en-route or on arrival, and general info on success rate, costs and entry issues?

Turkmenistan is hit-and miss, but as you need to skip Iran it's not a big issue. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan visas are easy these days. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are visa-free. Check out www.caravanistan.com for the most detailed and up-to-date information on Central Asian travel.

China I have not driven in; you need to book a fully guided tour from border to border through China, so your visa will be part of the whole package from the travel agency.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Ross.

Bold text above.

EO

[rb982]

WoW!!

Thank you so much for the great info!! I really appreciate the time taken!! Some really good stuff and recommendations here.

Thanks again!!

[Londonbiker]

Hi Ross, I have a thread under travellers seeking travellers called London to China 2019.

Basically, there are 3 of us Brits. We are aiming to cross from Torugart pass into Kashkar on Monday 15th July 2019. We are in final negotiations with tour agents and will make a final decision soon whom to go with.
We would welcome further travellers to reduce costs further. We have a potential further 4 riders joining us at Torugart but as yet unconfirmed.

I am leaving on Feb 1 to start my trip, and the others I will meet up with in Kyrgyzstan. I am pretty much taking the route that you have suggested with the exception of Iran. For Iran i am looking at parking the bike in Astana, Azerbaijan and taking a bike tour in Iran with a swiss company. PM me if you would like to discuss further . Regards Adrian
Please send me a direct message if you like to discuss further.

[rb982]

Hi Adrian, thanks for the post and offer! Sorry, can't PM yet due to being a newbie on here. Sadly we are not leaving until May so will be a few months behind you in the colder climes of the Stans. I would greatly appreciate getting in touch again closer to the time though to get your experience of borders/visas etc, would that be ok?

Many thanks,

Ross.

[adventuretourchina.com]

For driving/riding to china you need a tourist visa(L Visa), easier place to apply is in your home country.

Please note that chinese visa is typically valid for three months. For example if you plan to entry china during Mid-July, you could start china visa after Mid-April if you still in your home country.

There are China Visa Centers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast if you want to apply in UK. (check official site of china visa application: https://bio.visaforchina.org/LON2_EN/)

As overlander they don't need you to provide flight tickets, just ask your chinese agent provide you LOI, hotel list and itinerary crossing china.

[uk_vette]

Originally Posted by adventuretourchina.com

For driving/riding to china you need a tourist visa(L Visa), easier place to apply is in your home country.

Please note that chinese visa is typically valid for three months. For example if you plan to entry china during Mid-July, you could start china visa after Mid-April if you still in your home country.

There are China Visa Centers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast if you want to apply in UK. (check official site of china visa application: https://bio.visaforchina.org/LON2_EN/)

As overlander they don't need you to provide flight tickets, just ask your chinese agent provide you LOI, hotel list and itinerary crossing china.

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I think you will find Chinese visas are now valid for 2 years, multi entry and multi exit, and cost around £200.
My last one issued in June 2019 from Manchester Chinese visa 71 Mosley St, Manchester M2 3HR

https://bio.visaforchina.org/MAN2_EN...01__1hXKg8.pdf

£151 for the visa, plus some cost for application fee. I am sure it was around £200

Graham

[JoaoPCF]

Hi Ross, I live in London and did the same trip in 2015. If you want to meet for a I can answer most of your questions and give you some tips. Cheers

[rb982]

Hi All,

So we are currently on our journey from London to China by bicycle and are in Baku in Azerbaijan. We are taking a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Aktau in Kazakhzstan and then cycling around to Uzbekistan, Tajikistsan and Kyrgyzstan before crossing over in to China (maybe heading East at Sary Tash towards Kashgar, or up to Bishkek and then south again crossing at Chatyr Kol). We are looking for advice on this crossing in to China and what to do next....

Our options are; cycle east across China towards Beijing (we have 90 day visas), cycle south east round Tibet towards South East Asia (toured SEA before so don't really want to do it again) or Hong Kong, or pay a very expensive guide to drive with us as we cycle through Tibet towards Nepal and/or India. The Karakoram highway through Pakistan was an option but it sounds a bit too dodgy for our liking. We would like to get some advice on routes please everyone!

Thanks!

Ross

[eurasiaoverland]

Don't miss Pakistan. The country was the highlight for me of many years travelling in Asia - my favourite country by far. The scenery is magnificent and the people are just about the friendliest and most charming I have ever met. What is it you are actually afraid of there? The risks on the KKH are very minor; as pretty much everywhere, I think it's safe to say your chances of being knocked off by traffic far, far exceed the chances of being subject to any kind of targeted attack. Stone-throwing kids in Kohistan (around Chilas and the northern end of the Kaghan Valley) are likely to be the only threat.

There are some dangerous areas in Pakistan (around the Afghanistan border south of Dir), but they are far from the KKH. Don't be put off by ocasisonal extremist incidents - they happen pretty much everywhere in the world.

I take it you are aware of the current situation in Xinjiang? I have not been there for many years, but reports are that foreigners are hassled, made to stay in expensive hotels, not allowed to camp etc etc. Does not sound like much fun (it's far worse for the local Uyghurs), though the route up through Ali to Tibet would be an incredible trip.

If I were you I would definitely go through Pakistan, get to India and head for the mountains in summer. Ladakh gives you a good feel for Tibet and is friendly, safe and hassle free. Then you can think about flying out.

EO

[uk_vette]

Originally Posted by rb982

Hi Everyone,

We are two UK nationals planning an overland trip from London to China and are after some experienced knowledge. We want to head down through Europe to Turkey then on to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, possibly Kazakhstan and then in to China.

The first leg of the trip from London to Turkey seems pretty straightforward with no visa issues. From here on we don’t have much knowledge or experience.

From what I understand Georgia and Armenia seem straightforward with a UK passport only requiring a visa on arrival but info/confirmation of this would be great!?

Azerbaijan seems quite vague and the consulate website seems very confusing. Does anyone have any experience of overlanding here?

I have read on the UK Iran visa page that visas here need an invitation or a guided tour, but I have read that an invitation code purchased from iranianvisa.com or similar will suffice. Anybody have any experience of this recently? Ie success rate, procedure, timescales and costs etc?

From then on does anyone have any experience of obtaining access/visas in to Tukmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and China? Does anyone have information such as overland access and obtaining advanced visas en-route or on arrival, and general info on success rate, costs and entry issues?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Ross.

Hi Ross,

What is your timescale for riding?
I would look at April to September (summer) 2020.
What will you do at the end of your riding, with the bikes?
I have been to China many times, and lived there for 4 years, so reasonably familiar.
I also have a full Chines car and big bike licence (legal and legit)
I am in UK between Liverpool and Manchester.
I have ridden bikes for years, but don't at the moment have a bike.
I would buy a 700cc Transalp (2010 'ish, and travel solo.
It's just a case of getting off work for the duration, which I think will be minimum 3 months, if shipping the bikes back, and flying back.

Graham