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SE Asia Includes Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, plus Indonesia
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  #16  
Old 10 Mar 2017
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Just had a read of Tom thread about HOTEL IN CHINA

Here are the importance bits ???

The importance bits I have put in BOLD


21 HOTELS AND HOSTELS:
- ALL HOSTELS HAD COMPUTERS FOR PUBLIC USE, HOTELS SOMETIMES HAD COMPUTERS IN THE ROOMS.
- I always started to look at least one hour before dark, you'll see why when you read further!
- the only time you may have trouble finding accommodation at popular hotels or hostels is during the NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. one is in the 1st week of October and the other is April 5th to 8th, and June 1st and end of September's "moon festival", end of April and first few days of may. check guide books! FOR ME, I never had trouble anywhere, finding a room during holidays. especially if you don't stay at the most popular places. in either small towns or big cities.!
HOSTELS:
- china has its own chain of international youth hostels in every place or city with big tourist sights, or famous parks etc. online (booking.com and hostelworld.com) they are usually designated "international youth hostel" in the title. these are usually having the same standards as other international hostelling association type hostels. - the Chinese international hostels, have a guide book for free, that has a list of all hostels throughout china, about 150 all together. with phone and addresses. and almost all of these accept foreigners. they also have dormitories, private rooms, restaurants and bar in many cases. dormitories= $5 u.s. to $7.00..... privates starting at about $16 u.s. ...... but I always could find hotels for less money ( $10 to $12.oo u.s.) that were far better, bigger with private bath and t.v. and parking. that were often a few blocks from hostels. then I would go eat dinner or have drinks at these hostels so as to meet other travellers, to get my fix of speaking with someone after long spells of only communicating with Chinese, etc.
- either way, there are also thousands of private hostels all over china in all major cities.
HOTELS:
- NOTE: after you read the hotels section of your travel guide, you will know, that in a few provinces some hotels will not accept foreigners. but don't panic! each time you enter a hotel go in smiling and be positive, just like with the police, and be very patient. I know, its at the end of a long day.! but it's better than going in worried that you might not get the room. as I have learned this after about 160 hotels experience. after being rejected by a hotel in a town, I would go in hotels asking " do you accept foreigners" as my first question!. and this was always a problem. cause they would then start phoning the manager or the police to be sure. and that's after you try to get them to understand your question, that can take 10 minutes. I've learned to always check the price first, then look at the room 2nd. and the less police around the better I always felt. often it may be simply because they don't want the extra hassle than their usual customers.
- THE REASON FOR BEING TURNED AWAY FROM HOTELS......... I never knew 100 % why, corruption, government safety, bla bla bla. no matter, its about learning to recognise when you have to leave town!! most often if a hotel denies you with a friendly smile, you must try to ask which hotel will accept foreigners. and get them to point out exactly where it is on a map and how to pronounce its name. if they cant do that, it just means they could be just lying to you! this happened to me a couple of times! try again at the second hotel the second hotel that denies you, then just leave town, otherwise, you could waste a few hours, because they will continue to smile kindly and send you away to 10 different hotels, anywhere to get rid of you. now if you do get proper directions then you will always find, the hotel will be usually about 200 yuan $30.00 u.s. but often this will include a Chinese style breakfast, buffet style? if 200 is over your budget then get out of town. usually, the next town will have no such bullshit... about 4 times in total I decided to stay at the expensive hotel, because I was too tired to drive further. the provinces this happened to me was, most often in Hebei , the province that surrounds Beijing and Tianjin cities. least often were Gansu province and Geermu city in Qinghai province
- I NEVER EVER RESERVED A HOTEL, anywhere in china! most towns above 10,000 people had a hotel. I never reserved because there are many variables in china. like, while biking, road problems/delays or getting tired earlier than planned. and never did I end up without a hotel.! i always started looking for hotels at least an hour before dark. and if a whole town denies you a hotel, I then would always drive to next town and find something. the smaller the town the more likely they will not care about who or where your from, and won't even ask for your passport.
- ONLY TWICE WAS I ASKED TO LEAVE A HOTEL AFTER CHICKING IN.. usually this is by order of the police, when the hotel tried to register you. or by the owner or manager. but no worries, calmly pack up and just go to the next small town or city. for me, I was never more than 20 minutes from the next town.


So i think from Tom report Hotels for westerners are not that hard to find?


2 out off 160 hotels he was asked to leave ??? not bad odds IMO



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  #17  
Old 10 Mar 2017
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Well after spending several thousands of nights in hotels/hostels/ghs around the world I have NEVER been asked to leave after checking in - so two times are imho two times too much. And all the other troubles he had finding a place that accepted him in the first place are what I would define as problems finding accomodation. Directions, language barriers etc etc - it all adds up. Easy - no way!!!
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  #18  
Old 10 Mar 2017
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You posted -
Quote:
it is difficult to find accomodation in China because most hotels, hostels, guesthouses are not allowed to house foreigners as they dont have the license to do that
Now he has up to date information for him to consider and not you?
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  #19  
Old 10 Mar 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post
You posted -
Now he has up to date information for him to consider and not you?
Yes now he have up go date info and can see with his owns eyes that finding accomodation in China can be very very difficult and that he must even be prepared to be thrown out of places he actually have been allowed to stay in the first place. An experiece only to be found in China...
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  #20  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
Several malaysian rider have been riding around the world on their bikes so if one as a foreigner can get a bike registrated in Malaysia that would be great. And also a lot let hazzle in the rest of Southeast-Asia too as in Thailand one would be exempt the new guide and permit nonsense.

How are the prices on bikes in Malaysia compared to for example Thailand?
Malasian bikes into China without guide?

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  #21  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post
Hi
To say you can't stay in many hotels in China is totally wrong?
And normally this information has come from internet post or from a friend of a friend.
You will find more hotel that does except western tourist then don't?
4 of the big chain hotels that operate in China DO take western tourist and prices start at $15?
IMO Rent in Thailand very cheap too which then you will be able to ride most of the countries around Thailand with not too much problems.
Then Buy a bike in China full legal and insured with it in your name (need the correct visa and an address in China) or in the shop's name with a letter of authority to allow you to exit china on the bike.
Also, ATA are available in China and your option to get to the EU are greatly improved without great expense.
How do I know all these facts........ live in China now for last 8 years
have 4 bikes all in my name and have travelled from China on a Chinese plated bike to the UK and back visiting 26 countries.
No problems...
Also, travel from China on a Chinese plated bike NOT in my name to Thailand before the Ban many times.
No information from a friend of a friend just pure facts.
For the rest of the world, i can't see a Chinese plated bike haveing no more restriction than any other country?

Before someone points out BUT you need a Chinese DL to ride in China?
I question that? to be total legal yes but in real terms, you will be in more of a bigger problems if the bike is not insured or legally plated.

BUT if you have no Chinese DL then the insurance is void ???? No, the bike is insured regardless who is riding the bike?

There are 14 countries that border China these are Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Laos, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, North Korea and Bhutan.

Not including Hong Kong or Macau.

No other countries come close to the amount of border China has?

All are the option to get out from China some easy some very hard?
6 very easy
4 not so easy
3 very hard
1 why would you go?





Been done by some Germany rides (members of the HUBB) on Thail plated bikes with no guilds but I did here it cost a GoPro to get out?


80% of road signs are in Pinyin?



Chinese plated bike in Russia no problem?



No easy answer to this question, it depends on what country you are talking about?
But let's take 2 for now

China ???? don't need your money and the Chinese Government are anti motorbikes full stop.

Thailand ????? blame the Chinses for this restriction. ( can't drive and don't know there left hand from there right )


Can't find a better-recognized Russia square then this...








links ....

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...na-i-did-82852

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...frontier-90255
Thank You for this information it is very encouraging. From your post I understand that I can basically buy a motorcycle in China, which is registered to someone else and insured. I could cross the border to mother Russia without a fuss this way and continue onward towards Europe. And since China is a carnet country I can get a carnet for this bike there?

I may have misunderstood so please correct me, but if this is true then there is hope in that plan.

I understand that it can be difficult to find accomodation in China at times as there are many regulations and nuances in the country. I appreciate the help and perspectives from both of you guys! A trip around the world is expected to be challenging... just hopefully not so much you cant go through with it lol.

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  #22  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post
Hi
IMO Rent in Thailand very cheap too which then you will be able to ride most of the countries around Thailand with not too much problems.
Then Buy a bike in China full legal and insured with it in your name (need the correct visa and an address in China) or in the shop's name with a letter of authority to allow you to exit china


links ....

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...na-i-did-82852

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...frontier-90255
Thank You!!!!! The link to the China passage is gold! I think I am going to get to reading it now

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  #23  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Stirletz View Post
Malasian bikes into China without guide?

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NO foreign bikes into China without permits and guides!

Well - although HUBB-member Mika did rode through China without guides etc and you can also find his tripreport somewhere here. But to have the patience, courage and nerves to do it like him is not for everybody....
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  #24  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Stirletz View Post
Thank You for this information it is very encouraging. From your post I understand that I can basically buy a motorcycle in China, which is registered to someone else and insured. I could cross the border to mother Russia without a fuss this way and continue onward towards Europe. And since China is a carnet country I can get a carnet for this bike there?

I may have misunderstood so please correct me, but if this is true then there is hope in that plan.

I understand that it can be difficult to find accomodation in China at times as there are many regulations and nuances in the country. I appreciate the help and perspectives from both of you guys! A trip around the world is expected to be challenging... just hopefully not so much you cant go through with it lol.

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China is NOT a Carnet country.
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  #25  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stirletz View Post
Thank You for this information it is very encouraging. From your post I understand that I can basically buy a motorcycle in China, which is registered to someone else and insured. I could cross the border to mother Russia without a fuss this way and continue onward towards Europe. And since China is a carnet country I can get a carnet for this bike there?

I may have misunderstood so please correct me, but if this is true then there is hope in that plan.

I understand that it can be difficult to find accomodation in China at times as there are many regulations and nuances in the country. I appreciate the help and perspectives from both of you guys! A trip around the world is expected to be challenging... just hopefully not so much you cant go through with it lol.

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http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ina-take-90154

Read the above link...

I see no reason why you can't do as I said but please remember because the bike will not be in your name you must get a letter of consent to allow you to take the bike out of the country and you will need a copy of his Chinese ID card.
That said is where it could be a problem as the shop might not want to do that?
So check with the shop first before you purchase.
If you are not coming back to China on the bike you could get away without a Chinese ATA.
Can't advise you on this matter as my trip was to return to China so I needed an ATA not for as what is meant for. ( to allow the bike into other countries) but to allow the back into China? TIC This Is China.
And make sure you have an IDP.
Good luck with your trip.
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  #26  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
China is NOT a Carnet country.






Looks like a Chinese ATA to me?

You can't believe everything you read on the internet
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  #27  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post





Looks like a Chinese ATA to me?

You can't believe everything you read on the internet
Ha-ha a chinese Carnet, wasnt exactly what I was thinking about....

Sorry about that.
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  #28  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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I know was you was thinking but once again you are wrong?

China Peoples Republic of | USCIB
Just read?

http://www.atacarnet.com/carnet-countries

Not needed if you are on arranged tour but the tour company still has to leave for each bike a deposit of nearly $3000 for a motorbike and $7300 for a car
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  #29  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by Nuff Said View Post
I know was you was thinking but once again you are wrong?

China Peoples Republic of | USCIB
Just read?

Carnet Countries | ATA Carnet

Not needed if you are on arranged tour but the tour company still has to leave for each bike a deposit of nearly $3000 for a motorbike and $7300 for a car
China is NOT a Carnet country and a Carnet is not needed for foreign vehicles entering China. The end.

I have been riding through China on a foreign plated vehicle and a Carnet was not needed.

And a chinese ATA is not somerhing thats not relevant for anything else than chinese vehicles - and thus not relevant for other than chinese citizens. Whats the point caviling around on forums - do you think you will gain a prize or something?
Spreading non relevant info will certainly not...
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  #30  
Old 11 Mar 2017
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Quote:
I have been riding through China on a foreign plated vehicle and a Carnet was not needed.
Read my posts again I DID say that so stop being a troll.

Quote:
And a chinese ATA is not somerhing thats not relevant for anything else than chinese vehicles - and thus not relevant for other than chinese citizens. Whats the point caviling around on forums - do you think you will gain a prize or something?
Spreading non relevant info will certainly not..
Again read threads again "Stirletz" is thinking about buying a bike in China and taking out of China or did you miss that part.
So very relevant to the thread.
Not here to gain prizes just trying to help and pass on information which may or may not be useful.
My final word on this matter no doubt you will have the last say? Troll normally do.
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