Hey, welcome to MCM.
Forget about traffic signs.
To navigate, once in China, just buy a China Unicom SIM card (Zhongguo Liandong), then use the google maps app on ur phone and u're good to go.
Find a shop where there are phones, show them ur SIM card and say Zhongguo liandong. They may ask for ur passport. If the card is too big cause u got micro SIM, then cut it with a carpet knife.
Don't buy China Telecom (Zhongguo Yidong) SIM card cause u can't call when u change city unless u call them and get that fixed in Chinese as they won't speak any English, morons.
If ur phone is locked for use with a specific subscription operator, then u need to unlock it before u come or Chinese SIM won't work, or buy a smartphone here when u arrive.
Make sure u have 2 or 3 extra recharge cards of 100 RMB like this one below during ur trip or u'll be out of google map and it will suck.
To buy it just show them this pic on ur phone.
Attachment 14697
To recharge call 10011, wait that they speak english and follow the instructions, easy.
Google map probably won't work everywhere, also get a paper map and compass...
Get a portable battery to be able to recharge ur phone anywhere anytime.
Electric plugs are like this in China:
Attachment 14698
Sometimes just the bottom triple one, sometimes just the top double without the circles, just 2 parallel bars.
Make sure u have the proper adapter.
Regarding insurance make sure it covers u regardless of what (as u'll probably drive without a license) in China for the whole period of ur stay, make sure u can call them anytime, that they can bring u back straight to ur country at no expense, also make sure u don't need it, don't drive too fast as some roads quality will be poor, there'll be dust and oil in corners and other drivers are just like in themicah's post above, wear full gear all the time.
Regarding Chinese driving license and other legal stuff, u'll be driving in Yunnan, probably not for too long, if some cop asks u to stop, don't look at him and just drive on like if u didn't see him. It don't make things worse here to try and escape the police, if caught u can say u didn't see him.
Full face helmet with dark visor will help u not be recognized as a foreigner.
If u're in an accident involving other people, get out of here ASAP if u can, regardless of what, or u'll be much more sorry.
If someone hits u, don't expect him to stop either, it's like that here.
U'll probably buy the bike here in China, so, just like every time u spend money here, remember that everyone will try to scam u all the time for as much $ as possible, as it is written on ur face that u don't know how things work here and that u got more $ than u need, be extra cautious, don't trust anyone ever. U may be afraid of looking dumb or offending if over cautious, take that feeling and put it in the trash and make sure u're the most paranoid and annoying buyer every time u buy something, the more expensive the more mega ultra paranoid u should be, as even that way they'll find ways to scam u, but it won't be as much then.
Still don't be afraid, it's safe, just be & ride smart, cautious & safe.
Yunnan is gonna be fantastic by bike.
Read the threads about people who rode Yunnan on this forum, check those pictures.
Enjoy ur trip.