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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Josephine Flohr, Elephant at Camp, Namibia

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


Photo by Josephine Flohr,
Elephant at Camp, Namibia



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  • 2 Post By TBR-China
  • 2 Post By raycooknz

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  #1  
Old 6 Feb 2018
MEZ MEZ is offline
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Cool Tour Guide Companies CHINA..!!

Hi there, I would like to hear from people about there past and present dealings with Chinese tour guide companies. The good, the bad and especially the ugly... I am reading all posts on here with much interest and there seems to be a lot of travellers heading that way which is most encouraging. Please post up anything related to China crossings, much appreciated

Mez
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Old 7 Feb 2018
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Sorry, my personal PRC business rules below. Do your research wisely as everyone is after your hard earned $$$'s around mystical China....

TIC = This is China!
1. Everything is possible in China.
2. Nothing is easy.
3. Patience is the essence of success.
4. The answer "yes" is not necessarily an indication of agreement or confirmation.
5. "You don't understand our country" means they disagree.
6. "Provisional regulations" mean they can change the rules any time they want, even retroactively.
7. "Basically, no problem" means a big problem.
8. "Signing a contract" means the beginning of the real negotiation.
9. When you are feeling optimistic, think about rule number two.
10. When you are feeling discouraged, think about rule number one.
11. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.
12. If they tell you, that you know China very well, say no - otherwise they'll show you, that you don't!

China ~ very fascinating country and worthwhile exploring for a few weeks but gets very costly due to guides, permits, etc. for overseas visitors with own motor-vehicles as we are all fully aware.

Best of luck with your China travels and post up a ride report with pictures, cheers!
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Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR
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Old 7 Feb 2018
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China Overland

Hi Mezz,

I drove through China in 2016 with my Toyota Landcrusier as part of my trip from Singapore to Europe.

I crossed at the Myanmar Border in to Ruili in May 2016
Exited China into Mongolia at Erenhot Border.

I had used a Local Chinese Tour Company Navo who supplied a English speaking guide who was great and knowledgeable in overland trips through China Tracy of Navo Tours China was my point of contact and the Guide they supplied was Sally Huang.
Navo were good to deal with and arranged everything they were contracted to do including all my customs procedures which can be very testing at times.

Hope this is of help?

Regards
Ray

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Website :http://cooksendeavour.com
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Old 7 Feb 2018
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Hi Ray,

Out of curiosity, how much did it end up costing you?
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Old 7 Feb 2018
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TBR ; Love your list, seems very similar to a list i would draught up for India but in essence your correct and its a fact of life, everyone out there is after your hard earned money except the seldom genuine few..!! I live in hope that one day China will relax its borders but i ain't holding my breath on it...

Ray ; Thanks for your input on Navo, that's one positive story against several bad ones ive heard but still encouraging and good to know, cheers bud.

On topic here, i sent off an initial enquiring email to AFA (Asia for Adventure) which got a prompt response saying welcome and we are here to help, then a second one asking for typical outlining costs that would be incurred for a typical transit emphasizing my plans etc to see if it was a viable option or not. As my plans are aimed at 2019 i'm guessing i am low priority ($$$$$$$) for the time being as no response as yet...!!

Keep plodding away......
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Old 8 Feb 2018
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Originally Posted by MEZ View Post
I live in hope that one day China will relax its borders but i ain't holding my breath on it...
Mate ~ don't count on any massive opening up of PRC = Peoples Republic of Changes to foreign travellers with motor vehicles as gets more restrictive and costly from my limited experience.

If you have the $$$'s, able to enter & exit and cruise fully legally, come over and explore a very interesting and diversified country for a few weeks, stay away from the dull and very boring expressways as that's not the real China and don't be afraid to ride past the last lights of a town...

You will just be amazed what you see and experience, trust me as been around the entire country a few times, love to explore mind-blowing China, must say once again, we are very privileged to have the opportunity to ride and travel fully legally over here ...
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Old 8 Feb 2018
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stay away from the dull and very boring expressways as that's not the real China and don't be afraid to ride past the last lights of a town...

You will just be amazed what you see and experience, QUOTE]



China holds a massive fascination for myself and the wife and many many other folk, WHY..?? Can’t answer that in one sentence but one aspect for sure is the inaccessibility and the intrigue generated by it..!!


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Old 13 Feb 2018
MEZ MEZ is offline
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Post Crossing China

Ok, so i got a reply from AFA stating that its going to cost me an 'increase in budget' because of an interpreter whom has to follow in a car at all times..!!!
Sounds so much fun that being followed by a third party but i shan't be put off yet at this early stage.....

Anyone else for a tale of China....???

Mez
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Old 13 Feb 2018
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Anyone else for a tale of China....???
China ~ faraway land of Mystery, Kungfu & Dumplings...
Living over in PRC for a few years, somewhat lazy with ride reports, leaving the full on discussions, reliable advise and highly intelligent feedback concerning Mainland China to the very experienced China riders.

Some of my very simple China info on the HUBB....
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...v-riding-71234
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ops-gear-72688
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Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR
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  #10  
Old 15 Feb 2018
MEZ MEZ is offline
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Originally Posted by TBR-China View Post
China ~ faraway land of Mystery, Kungfu & Dumplings...
Living over in PRC for a few years, somewhat lazy with ride reports, leaving the full on discussions, reliable advise and highly intelligent feedback concerning Mainland China to the very experienced China riders.

Some of my very simple China info on the HUBB....
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...v-riding-71234
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ops-gear-72688
Well TBR, checked out those links and i have to say first one has really wet my whistle somewhat, some fantastic scenery shots and it has compounded my initial desire to visit China. I have only done first 7 pages so will go back and indulge, I didn't see much appreciative thanks coming your way mind..!!

Nice one indeed and many thanks.....
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