Sydney to Wales (UK)-Licence over 60 in China
 

Hi All, we are 3 couples travelling from Sydney back home to Wales (UK) next year - we have allocated 6 months for this trip. We have just found out that we can't get driving licences to ride a bike in China as we are over 60 (just!). Apparently guiding companies could work around this in the past but not anymore. Has anyone any ideas for a route that doesn't involve China and that is physically and politically feesible?

The blocks that I can think of off the top of my head are Myanmar (no entry for foreign vehicles) and Iran (no entry for independent travel if travelling on UK, Australia and American passports so can be done but with a guide - ££££££). The skip around Myanmar also misses Bangladesh unfortunately. That puts a possible route as:

Australia
Malaysia
Thailand
Fly around Myanmar to India
Pakistan
The Stans
Georgia
Turkey
Europe - too many options to list

Thanks for that Jay. I am currently looking at what can be done with Myanmar. We had signed up with a company to guide us (and others) across China but the licence rule has put paid to that. Another option is to stick with this part of the trip but to 'van' the bikes across China and to use a car for ourselves as we can get car licences over 60 years of age! At least with that option, we wouldn't need to crate and fly the bikes anywhere.
Our route to China is: Sydney to Perth, fly bikes to Bali, ride up to Bangkok to meet 3rd couple. Possibly Cambodia, Laos and meet our guide at Boten before heading in to China.

There is a documentary about the journey from Singapore to London by Land Rover featuring the first Land Rover to do the journey from London to Singapore where the Land Rover was driven through Myanmar - now that section was done with a British citizen that was also a Myanmar resident driving the vehicle - I don't know if that makes any difference.


Here is a bit more about the documentary.

I suspect that made all the difference in the world (being a resident of Burma).

Sounds like a great trip, good luck :D

I suspect this will be your best option - not least because a lot of the driving in western China will be dreary straight highway sections in the desert, and even at my current age I would give serious consideration to four wheels, a roof and aircon for that stretch. ;)

Do try to give Laos some time - it was the highlight of my (public transport based) trip. Luang Prabang was absolutely lovely, except for the very crap bus ride to Kunming - but I think they've paved the road by now.

Lobolee I have sent you a PM

Hi Lobolee. Can I ask which agency told you that over 60s was "Impossible"? The agent I am using later this year is able to get the permits (I have 2 over 60s in my group). Also, the same agent is currently guiding a tour with several over 60s in it (on bikes). I don't think all agents are equal in this respect, some have more experience and "connections" than others.
If you need more info, please contact me.
Cheers

you can whatts up him at + 86 135 0830 6754

he can do it for driver over 60 years young

from bali TAKE RORO TO banyuwangi ( east jawa island ) ONLY 90 minute, then straight to semarang ( tanjung mas port ) ( middle jawa ) about 625 km, from semarang take roro to pontianak ( kalimantan island ) voyage about 24 hours then go to aruk indonesia / malaysia border ) ship the bike to port klang.
AZIZAN FORWARDER HIS W A # 60 18 978 8087 about 1500 RM (377 usd )
shipmen every tuesday then you flew to KL take your bike or car in port klang from here you decided where to go,,, laos to china or thailand to myanmar, china now is open for overlander