China Questions?
 

Hi - I've been following the China treads and from what I'm reading it sounds like traveling through China is possible but not without it's bureaucratic problems. I would like to travel in China next summer for a two month period so if someone could help me out with a couple of questions (or point me in the right direction) I'd appreciate it.

1. Is it possible to rent a bike in China
2. Is it possible to purchase a bike in China? what kind?
3 If I went the purchase root I'd have to register/insure it quite quickly given the relative short time I have for the trip. Is this possible?
4. Is it possible to ship one's own bike to China.
5. What sort of registration/insurance/licensing is required?
6. Can one travel in and out of Mongolia from China
7. Can you travel freely without a guide?
8. and just out of curiosity how long would a London - Hong Kong trip take?

Any comments and/or suggestions on the above would be much appreciated. P.S. I did a trip in Kenya in Jan. and got a lot of valuable info from this board

Happy riding
Christopher

London Hong Kong
 

My wife and I are departing for Hong Kong next week (1 June). Well that was the original plan however after 12 months of trying we found that it was not possible to arrange. Even though we have Hong Kong residents visas - we lived there for years and are returning.

We are now riding from London to Vlad and then down Japan. From Osoka we will fly.

Good luck with your planning - perhaps you can arrange riding through China however I'd be supprised if you do.

Ken
kenandtoni.com

1. Is it possible to rent a bike in China

Everything is possible in China. But the likelyhood of finding a proper bike rental place are pretty slim. You could easily rent a bike off a Chinese person though. I recomend looking to the big corners in a city. You will see many guys just standing around with motorbikes. Ask them.

2. Is it possible to purchase a bike in China? what kind?

Like I said everthing is possible. You can buy a Chinese bike for around a thousand US, a very basic chinese made bike shouldnt cost more than 3000 Yuan. Thats the basic, if you pay more for a really basic bike, you are getting ripped off. There are many Chinese brands, I bought and drove a "Zongshen" bike for 6000 (it was a dirtbike and was extra expensive because of the quality) anyway, I drove it about 10,000km's with absolutely no problems.

3 If I went the purchase root I'd have to register/insure it quite quickly given the relative short time I have for the trip. Is this possible?

If you buy/rent a a bike and they want to sell you insurance, and the insurance is more than 10 yuan, they are lying, Its not insurance. Dont buy insurance. It means nothing. I have never bought insurance. If the topic comes up, just sternly say NO.

4. Is it possible to ship one's own bike to China.

Yes. And within China, use China Post, the state controlled postal agency. Its the least hassle.

5. What sort of registration/insurance/licensing is required?

None. It takes a bit of getting used to, but never stop for the police. The police dont mind because they are used to motorcycles not stopping for them.

6. Can one travel in and out of Mongolia from China

Probably, but if you go to the Huhehaote embassy, they will gladly and quickly give you a visa. I'd reckon its worth the hassle.

7. Can you travel freely without a guide?

Of course, bring a phrase book, you will have no problems.

8. and just out of curiosity how long would a London - Hong Kong trip take?

Well, Hong Kong to the Mongolia would take at least 5 days. And that would be all day driving, only stopping to pee and camp. I'd reckon just China, not in a hurry would take at least 2 weeks.

Matt

G'Day,

1. Is it possible to rent a bike in China?

with right connections a lot of things are possible in PRC.
i am not in the motorcycle business, don't bother to ask!

2. Is it possible to purchase a bike in China? what kind?

BMW / Harley have dealerships but registration/license is a big issue.

3 If I went the purchase root I'd have to register/insure it quite quickly given the relative short time I have for the trip. Is this possible?

everything takes a lot of time in PRC. not easy to register a vehicle as foreigner in PRC. you will need a resident permit / work permit / PRC driving-license to register a vehicle in your name. yhey will not issue registration to tourist.

4. Is it possible to ship one's own bike to China?

very costly and miles of red tape, lots of time required.
no, the PRC postal service will not ship motorbikes!

5. What sort of registration/insurance/licensing is required?

PRC driving-license, license-plate (registration), insurance (3rd. party).

6. Can one travel in and out of Mongolia from China?

might be difficult to re-enter PRC once you left....

7. Can you travel freely without a guide?

basically interprovince travel by motorbike is banned for some years. you might have to take a guide ($$costly$$).

8. and just out of curiosity how long would a London - Hong Kong trip take?

3 month with a bit sightseeeing or 4 weeks as a race event! Beijing - Berlin was done with PRC Chang-Jiang sidecar motorbikes just under four weeks.

9. Any comments and/or suggestions on the above would be much appreciated.

currently too much hassle with motorcycling in PRC.

Riding in China
 

Hi Butchman,

i've read your post, and many previous and i think you should now consider that it's ALSO possible to enter and ride freely in China without guide and paying lot of $$$$.

i've done this, a friend of mine also, and many other people will try to do that soon an that's great !!!

and this could be done without hassle...

All the best
Christophe

Getting into china..oh yes
 

I have had a 3 serious troubles in china only:
1. Navigation (hieroglyphs)
2. Traffic rules (no rules)
3. Meal (always watch what a cook's doing in the kitchen)

Shipping to china
 

I think the chance of you shipping your bike in and receiving it in china is 0% myself...
if you take the same route in as i did you have zero back up..no insurance no cardenet no valid driving licence(even intrnational is no good here)..
and no back up..basiclly you are 100% on your own..
and i dont think the uk embassy can do anything for you..
i have also been told you are better keeping out of the citys, because you are not ment to be here anyway..and trust me the driving even makes the kasaks look good..
So long as you are aware of this before you set off..good luck..
dont get me wrong the locals will do all they can to help you if you are in a spot.. but this aint going to help you if you have a big spill or a mishapp..

Jake..running the risk and loving it :chinese:

According to the UK chinese embassy website: 'Applicants are required to lodge their applications to the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate in the country where they normally and legally reside for Chinese visa.'

Any one tried getting a Chinese visa from the Indian consulate for a UK passport holder already on the road (not going to take my bike in - so if any one got any good places to store a bike near a Indian airport that would be ace too)

G'Day,

easiest way to get a ML China visa is in Hong-Kong, same day service for a multiple entry visa. most hotel concergie / travel service will offer this service.

best regards, Butchman

I have bought a bike in China and have toured extensively through China. Here is my experience. To answer some of the questions point by point:
1. Is it possible to rent a bike in China
Yes. BMW R1150GS or F650GS. Expensive but you will enjoy the bike.

2. Is it possible to purchase a bike in China? what kind?
Yes, cost anout $1600 on the road. A 200cc enduro bike. It may not be in your name because you can't get it registered as a forigner, just a contract to sell it to you will be good enough to proof ownership.

3 If I went the purchase root I'd have to register/insure it quite quickly given the relative short time I have for the trip. Is this possible?
You must have road tax, duty and 3rd party insurance or the bike is illegal. Not expansive and can be arranged via bike shop.

4. Is it possible to ship one's own bike to China.
Yes but you will have no driving license. Can't get one if you are not resident.

5. What sort of registration/insurance/licensing is required?
See point #2-3.

6. Can one travel in and out of Mongolia from China.
If the bike has all the papers in order, it should be ok. It has been done.

7. Can you travel freely without a guide?
Yes. But now many cities do not allow motorcycles to enter. So you are better off staying away from big cities or park your bike outside and take public transport in.

8. and just out of curiosity how long would a London - Hong Kong trip take?
No idea.

I met an american while travelling (by bus in China) in the summer who had sucessfully obtained his Chinese motorcycle lisense. He was riding an awful chinese piece of shii' and staying ni Chengdu for a few months.

The big catch 22 is that you need to take a test in chinese, but he ended up getting someone to do it for him.

His name is Charlie (Although he goes by 'Chucky') and was staying on/and off in the youth hostel that everyone in chengdu seems to end up in. Its called Mix ? or Micks?

Anyway...turns out anything and i mean anything is possible. I have never been to a place with so much difference in rules and regs between streets. One person knows one thing, another knows nothing of the sort.

Also i bloody hate these threads as they make me want to send all my plans down the drain and try and and hit China through Kazah.

Haha, here is one more reply to make you hate even more. My China survival kit fully licensed, insured, road tax paid and title in my name. I got my China driving license automatically because I have a HK driver's license and being a Chinese

You can. I had one. Only valid for the duration of your stay but thats all you need:)



John

I am referring to regular driver's license valid for 10 years. Temp license is possible with pre-arrangement. How much did you pay for it or how much you spent for the whole trip?

Shed loads...

1500 usd for all permits/license/insurance/plates and a guide to Urumqi (2 people/bikes).
Then we got stiffed for another 1500! to get out.

The cost of travelling/accommodation/grub was cheap.

John

Reddybooboo,

Damn 3kUSD is some serious change to get into China and no doubt that cash stuffed some dudes pockets. At least they produced they documents though and you were able to make the trip. Do you have some material about it?


Franki-avalone,
Well look who's here! Play nice Franki!:thumbup1: :D Hey you still going to be around this January?

CC

Merry X'mas CC!
Had a great time with BB during the Thai - Myanmar run. Got some great photos but the camera was stolen and all photos lost! Still got some video clips left.....

I should be around most part of Jan. Only occasional short trip into China. Have you got a travel plan yet?

Planning a big trip to Tibet in May.....

Crazy, you are right there.
The deal was, 1500 usd to get all the required docs and a guide to Urumqi. Then we were supposed to be free and gone.
On arrival in Urumqi, the person we had been dealing with was nowhere to be found and another guy turns up and says 3000 usd for the rest of your trip... He did say please;)

We legged it on our own but he had the customs docs and thats what cost us another 1500 to get out of the country. The customs at Tashkorgan seemed quite happy for us to sit there until our visa expired and then they would arrest us.

Stuff on my blog at bikerbytes.com/txp

Happy NY

John

I noticed in BB's thread that you lost your camera and was sad to hear it. Oh well, cameras are getting crazier by the day and although it's some money, they can still b e replaced quite easily. When you going to put your video up?

I should be heading to Malaysia around the middle of Jan for my AhKong's birthday. Hope to stop by and see Lorne and you in GZ/HK area after that towards the end of Jan. Still have no tickets yet but I think the new Mrs would like to see HK and, of course, try her hand at a little shopping. I will contact you directly when things have firmed up either way.

You getting used to the new "emot-icons" yet? :thumbup1:

CC

Reddybooboots...

Well if that ain't par for the course. Well that is incredibly annoying but I'm happy you made it through okay. I also had a "fun time" with the folks at Tashkorgan. It's nice to see streams of toursits in taxis getting permits to visit the pass but a foreigner on a motorcycle gets the stiff shit in the mud. Oh well...sign of the times! On to other bigger better things.

CC

Financial lose is secondary but the photos were irreplacable.....
I used a borrowed video cam as mine couldn't record a time code anymore due to years of abuse. The video cam owner did not maintain the unit and most of the video clips have noise. I tried to captured them onto my computer yesterday and will spend some time edit out the bad ones. I think a 15 mins clip would do. Will send a DVD to BB and he can post it on Youtube or something. He has more time to kill.

End of Jan will be very close to CNY. Shopping will be great but the hotels will be expensive. New Mrs.....Congratulations! Bring loads of cash for her shopping, hehehe.

Dunno how to use the emot-icon here :o(

Franki

Chinese Driving license
 

Hi Franki
I had never heard that I could get a Chinese license with my Hong Kong one how did you go about that.
No I am not Chinese but I live in Hong Kong and have a HK license.
Rory

Check this for HK and South China Chinese Driving License Service for Expats/Foreigner

or this if you are in Shanghai Price List and Paperwork of Foreigner Visa Services in Shanghai China look at the end of the page

Mrs and I used the second one 18 months ago when in Shanghai, take 1 hour to pass the Q&R exam (100 Q) in English on a computer no practical test, got the 5 years driving license (car and bike) same day. We were on a 6 months Biz visa, should be doable on a 3 months leisure visa. Paid 1400RMB per license to the company, they provided an english speaking guy all way along to manage the whole process.

Brice

Brice
Wow on it! Thanks very much seems simple and everyone I spoke to said it couldnt be done will let you know how I get on.
Rory

My little experience about China (only 30 months at this stage) shows me that nearly everything is possible at the end but it can take time and mostly having some connection to sort out the bureaucratic system helps a lot.

In my case for now, the next challenge is to buy (more or less easy) and register 2 bikes in my home town considering they are banned here!

Enjoy the roads and man zou

Brice

You're already inside China. It's a different gig.

If registering your bike in town is a problem, you can ask the moto shop to arrange someone who will register the bike for you in their name, then sell
it to you (although you're really paying form the beginning). Make and sign a piece of paper that transfers ownership of the bike to you and you're off...plates and all. Of course this is not for free but should only be a few hundred RMB for the service.

The other option is to get second hand 150's and go ghetto style. Used bikes come with plates and title.

CC