2015 latest Prerequisites for China

[Kalahari Adventures]

I would really appreciate some information for a trip that we are on. What are the latest requirements for riding motorcycles from the Mongolian border to Tianjin. If licences guides are needed ( as stated in some reports), would anyone have contact details for such and possible information on what the cost would be for a licenced guide from the Mongolian border to Tianjin? Would we need Chinese registration and licences ? Thank you very much. Regards, Hein (kalahariadventures@gmail.com)

[Snakeboy]

Rode through China last year september/october. We needed a chinese temporary driving licences but not chinese registration. And the vehicle needed inspection at a local/regional roadoffice or something like that in the first town we reached. And we needed licenced guides and reckognised itinarary, ditto accomodation.
The chinese driving licence was issued without any tests of teoretichal or practical skills. In fact I was terrible food poisoned the second day in China (after the welcome dinner arranged by our guide the first evening) and I wasnt able to go anywhere except the toilet that day. I still got the licence....

I let a external company handle this through the chinese guide company who arranged everything needed in China include paperwork. The chinese company needed all papers at least 3 months ahead of your entrance to China.

I dont know the details of the chinese company, all I know it was expensive, very expensive. Then again - its something one do only once in a lifetime.

[mrsroynie]

Your trip from Mongolian Border (Erenhot?) to Tianjin is similar to the original itinerary we planned as part of our "Inagh to China" ride this year. Everything Snakeboy has said is true. Although there were reports of some people riding without a guide, there are now some questions arising as to their legality (forged paperwork has been mentioned in at least one case). it is extremely unlikely that you will find an agent who would be prepared to organise the paperwork for you, as you will require a Chinese representative to meet you at the border and escort you to the nearest city, where all applications for driving licence, vehicle registration (they no longer issue you with a plate), insurance, etc., must be made in Chinese. The agent is required to pay a hefty customs bond for your vehicle, and will want to ensure that you exit the country correctly so that they can reclaim it. (Forget the fact that you are actually paying them for this bond, you won't see any refund.) The agent will also supply the relevant government department with a detailed itinerary and apply for the permits necessary for each province you are going to ride through ... It's all very bureaucratic and unweildy and, once those permits are in place, it's extremely difficult to change your plans.

My husband is now in Kashgar in Western China, having linked up with GlobeBusters' "Ace to Ace" expedition for the Chinese section. We could not find an agent interested in quoting for our simple Erenhot to Beijing journey. However, when we began to understand the costs involved, it made sense. To give you some idea, for a proposed ride from Beijing to Erenhot, approx 700km, with guide/driver fees, vehicle fuel, meals, accommodation for driver/guide and two hotel nights en route, we were quoted £1200 - and that was for us to leave the country, so without all the costs of licensing, registration, etc., that would be necessary on entry.

For so short a journey, it simply isn't economically viable. As Snakeboy says, riding in China is very, very, expensive. If you are going to spend that sort of money, you need to get the most you can out of it. You would do better to do as we did and book a tour.

Oh, and in case you're wondering; I'm back in the UK, recovering from a broken leg sustained in Russia ... one week into the trip!

ETA - I just got the text of Roynie's blog from Friday, which describes the admin process for importing a foreign motorcycle into China. They actually had to do a short practical riding test for their licences! Even though there was no question that anyone might fail, I think that might be a first for a Globebusters group!

[TBR-China]

Originally Posted by Kalahari Adventures

riding motorcycles from the Mongolian border to Tianjin.

Just curious, why would you ride to Tianjn (it's a industrial dump) besides working there - shipping bikes out or visiting friends... as mention ~ just curious.

It's a easy relaxed two day ride (day time) from Erenhot to Tianjn, just get used to the strange requirements in Nei Mingolia (Inner Mongolia) regarding filling up at petrol stations as they require the use of leaky metal cans (tea pots we call em') and refuse direct bike filling at the pumps....

[mrsroynie]

Originally Posted by TBR-China

Just curious, why would you ride to Tianjn (it's a industrial dump) besides working there - shipping bikes out or visiting friends... as mention ~ just curious.

Good point. The GlobeBusters group ship their bikes home from Tianjin. If you are simply wanting to get your bikes to the coast for onwards shipping, you may as well organise to have them trucked there or arrange to ship 'direct' from Ulaanbaatar and take the train to China. Save yourself a shed load of money!