Newbie from Ohio,USA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChinaV

Another thing worth mentioning, just because you have an extra gas can doesn't mean you can get it filled. Most stations won't fill cans, you will have to go down the road and transfer it out of your tank and then return to the station and top it off.

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Ha hah hah Yes, ChinaV I forgot about that one can't get a plastic or metal legal made can filled up ?
As I said Logic free Zone ???
But will fill a leaking kettle up that you have to walk 100 meters away to pour into your tank.

And don't forget that some petrol station will make you push the bike away from the pumps before you are allowed to start the engine.
Ok on a small 110cc bike that's 100kg but a big bike loaded up that comes in at 350kg makes life a bit hard

Here is pictures of 4 main low end cost chain hotels that do allow western people to stay.

Attachment 19013

Attachment 19014

Attachment 19015

Attachment 19016

You can't find all this good shit out on HUBB?

Thanks to all 3 of you. Good info. Yes I started out on the HUBB and ADVrider. I'm an inmate on both. I got on this forum and RideAsia to find info from people in the area. I've traveled in many countries without knowing the first word of their languages. I've always gotten by. I do have a translator on my tablet.

I can afford good hotels. But I have slept many times on picnic tables. In Dusseldorf,Germany I gave up looking for rooms and slept on the pavement of a rest area. I may buy a tent when I get there. Sleeping on a picnic table in a heavy rain isn't as much fun as it used to be.

I have filled my tank with gas from buckets and milk jugs in Mexico and South America.

While I'm in China I will see touristy things. I'm not coming to Asia just to ride there.There are so many things I want to see. I just won't have enough time this trip. I wasn't planning to ride in big cities. I thought I would stay outside the city and get a ride to whatever attraction I wanted to see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doogle

Thanks to all 3 of you. Good info. Yes I started out on the HUBB

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OK, I've got to ask, what's the HUBB?

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I've traveled in many countries without knowing the first word of their languages.

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But in almost all other countries in the world you will be able to find someone who speaks a few words of English. Not so in most of China. As long as you are aware of this. You also may not know how poorly electronic translaters work between western languages and Chinese. I find electronic translation between English, German, Spanish and French is not perfect, but it is perfectly understandable. But between English and Chinese often ends up complete giberish. You can usually get by if you stick to very short and simple sentences (3 words: subject, verb, object) it usually works out good enough. But the Chinese person replying to you on your tablet may not know this and will reply to you in long poetic style will can be completely unintelligible by machine translation. Oh, yes, make sure you have Simplified Chinese language pack installed on your tablet as well as pinyin input method so that you can pass your tablet to have people reply to your questions.

It can all be workable but its good to have an idea what its like before coming here. It can seem almost like landing on mars.

Hi Bill

The HUBB...........http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/

The HUBB is very good for getting very good information about global travel.
But lacks GOOD up to date information with regards to China.
Just take your last trip by no means was it a short hop but just look at all the information you obtained but let's say in 5 years time ? would your experiences be of use? knowing how fast China is developing.
IMO I just not sure Bill......

You Had a friend at the end of the phone and I had my Wife look how quick we sorted out problems with these 2 people who could speak English very well and are Chinese.?
Just last week was riding around a remote area of Thailand and needed some help and yes I was able to find someone in the village who could speak some English.
That would never happen in China.

Then even with the help we had we was lucky as the people could speak Mandarin without a dialect?
Just with Mandarin, you have over 60 different Mandarin dialects.

Attachment 19031


Link .......https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ies_of_Chinese


A very good point about pinyin.????

Hi Doogle
I have been reading some of your post on the HUBB.

Here on MCM are fully aware of Laura blog and has been posted and read on MCM before, her blog is very good and detailed with some very useful information...... but as mention by bigdamo who I think is a member here but lives back in OZ now made the point.......(Those Laura posts are from nearly 2 years ago. Things change by the day/week in China and it all depends on who and when you speak to and which part of China).

Take 1 point that Laura has made .......(She says they didn't need an official guide. Only a national Chinese person as an escort, and only in Xinjiang and Tibet provinces.)

Tibet ..... Yes need I guide, I have been looking to ride Tibet myself but have given up with the idea and I live here in China ?

Xinjiang .....

Just 8 weeks ago I passed through Xinjiang on my Chinese bike with no guide.
Lots of army and police checkpoint but no problem, could I do that next week ??? I just don't know things change on a daily basis.

If you wish to ride China tie-up with me in Thailand and I get you sorted with a bike let it be a new bike or a rental.
But with the Chinese DL, you will just have to take your chances.

That is the best advise I can give you and with me at your side you stand a better chance and I have a good idea of the rules and have good contact here in China

I will leave you with this about China

TIC = This is China!

1. Everything is possible in China.
2. Nothing is easy.
3. Patience is the essence of success.
4. The answer "yes" is not necessarily an indication of agreement or confirmation.
5. "You don't understand our country" means they disagree.
6. "Provisional regulations" mean they can change the rules any time they want, even retroactively.
7. "Basically, no problem" means a BIG problem.
8. "Signing a contract" means the beginning of the real negotiation.
9. When you are feeling optimistic, think about rule number two.
10. When you are feeling discouraged, think about rule number one.
11. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.
12. If they tell you, that you know China very well, say NO - otherwise they'll show you, that you don't!

Source is from a Faceless asshole

Nuff Said

I think my schedule and yours are compatible. But what I want to do is a split between riding and sight seeing. There are a lot of things I want to see in China. Especially since I'll be half way around the world. I would like to have another month+ there. But that didn't work out this year. And I would probably like to come back again. But I haven't been to India or Antarctica yet. So repeating countries is a lower priority. Tibet and Nepal are very high on my "Next" list.

I caved in and downloaded WeChat on my tablet. I'll try to figure out how it works this week.
I will be working on my visa for Vietnam and China tomorrow. Vietnam seems to have changed and rescinded their policy the last couple months. Hope I get mine settled before they change again.

Repeating TBR again "Nuff said"

Still nothing from Jan!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by billeuze

But in almost all other countries in the world you will be able to find someone who speaks a few words of English.

It can seem almost like landing on mars.

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I read that by 2030 there will be more English speaking people in China than any other country in the world. Riding through Russia and Mongolia I didn't find many English speakers either. Enough rubles always bought my gas, food, and hotels.

I'd pay good money to land on Mars.

Is the west coast of Canada Vancouver Island or Prince Rupert?

Spoke to Jan on WeChat about what he can and can't do for you ??? Can't or won't sort out shipping back from Beijing?

Can rent you a bike to be picked up in Kunming but need to be returned to Kunming?

Bike is a Shineray X5 400cc at $50 a day

Review link on MCM.

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...Yuan-X5-review

40 Pages of review to read??

What is your list of things to see in China?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doogle

I read that by 2030 there will be more English speaking people in China than any other country in the world.

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Well, if you read that on the internet, then it must be true.

Quote:

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Is the west coast of Canada Vancouver Island or Prince Rupert?

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mostly Vancouver Island.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by billeuze

Well, if you read that on the internet, then it must be true.


mostly Vancouver Island.

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I'm confused. You don't believe anything you read on the internet or anything you read?
I know if would be hard to quantify. Especially differentiating speakers from learners. I took Spanish in high school. And I doubt counting to 20 would qualify me as a speaker. I think India could have more English speakers than America. Every customer service center I contact is answered in India. But I would rate most of them as learners.Not speakers.

I spend my winters in a southern California RV park. About half of the people here are Canadian. Eh. And a high percentage from the Island.

>What is your list of things to see in China.<

Doogle & MCM Members,

Hello. The following URLs may help with destination considerations and save you a few keystrokes. I suggest you study the drivers license test even if you do not plan to obtain a drivers license. If you consider national parks... just connect the dots. Also, many English touring sites have multi-day or grand-touring routes of various regions that may be useful. I assume you have read many motorcycling trip reports of China. I have listed a couple of my favorite ride reports, specifically 'The Great Ride of China' and 'Big Bike Trip'.

Cheers!

David

Traffic Laws/Culture:
http://wenku.baidu.com/view/a56e35e9...d.html?re=view
http://www.chinadriver.org/exam/exam_en.php
http://wenku.baidu.com/view/4cd9deec...e8524688a.html

Nice Map Resources:
http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/a2zindex.html

National Parks:
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/chin...arks-in-china/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...parks_of_China
http://www.nationalparkofchina.com/cnnp.html

Man-made Wonders:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/trave...nt-wonders.htm

Previous Motorcyclist Routes & Trip Reports:
http://thegreatrideofchina.com/
http://www.thegreatrideofchina.com/command-center/
https://bigbiketrip.net/
http://www.fireworks.ru/moto/english.htm
http://beddha.free.fr/
http://www.bugsonmyboard.org/

Off-road 4WD & Motorcycle Touring Resources:
http://www.navo-tour.com/en/itinerar...rcycling_Tour/
http://www.hiddenchina.net/web/eng/r...motorbike.html
http://motorhome-china.com/report_ragtt2.html

Chinese Festivals & Fairs:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/
http://motorhome-china.com/fairs.html

General tourist sites with samples of multi-day and grand tours:
https://english.ctrip.com/packages/#ctm_ref=nb_pkg_top
http://www.chinahighlights.com/trave...first-trip.htm
https://www.viator.com/China-tours/M...-Tours/d13-g20
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/group/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china
http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/top-10s.html
http://www.chinadiscovery.com/customize-china-tour.html

WOW. You Sure do your home work Dave for a person who doesn't even live in China ...
I am sure that will help Doogle.

All good stuff Dave apart from the Chinses Traffic Laws?

No one in Chinese considers or take note of Chinese Traffic Laws?

>All good stuff Dave apart from the Chinses Traffic Laws? No one in Chinese considers or take note of Chinese Traffic Laws?<

I assume you are being sarcastic... Reviewing the drivers license exam will help him understand the general road rules and just might save his life.

At first glance, the traffic may appear like a highly chaotic free-for-all, but a little effort in reviewing the laws may help him understand there is a method to the madness. He may learn the traffic protocol may be better described as organized chaos and it may help him 'fly under the radar' by not standing out by making mistakes...which may become a slippery slope for an undocumented driver on the road. One obvious undocumented rule is 'Momentum RULES!'.... pedestrians yield to bicycles, bicycles yield to scooters, scooters yield to larger motorcycles and motorcycles yield to cars, cars to buses and buses to large trucks and so on... I am not a fan of the horn, but I consider it as a simple common courtesy notice of "Hey, I am here". Also, I am impressed with the lack of road rage with merging traffic and the indifference if someone is a millimeter from scratching a luxury car. (In this scenario, you may not hear a horn.) I am sure there are many threads about this topic with posts from very experienced drivers and riders. I was even more impressed watching the local dogs... talk about street smarts! The beagle I had as a child on a farm in Ohio wouldn't have lasted five seconds....

Anyhow, I think anyone attempting to drive in China should consider reading the online test bank questions. There are no 'restarts' in life.... (It is a fun exercise also....)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SoCal Adv Tourer

>All good stuff Dave apart from the Chinses Traffic Laws? No one in Chinese considers or take note of Chinese Traffic Laws?<

I assume you are being sarcastic... Reviewing the drivers license exam will help him understand the general road rules and just might save his life.

At first glance, the traffic may appear like a highly chaotic free-for-all, but a little effort in reviewing the laws may help him understand there is a method to the madness. He may learn the traffic protocol may be better described as organized chaos and it may help him 'fly under the radar' by not standing out by making mistakes...which may become a slippery slope for an undocumented driver on the road. One obvious undocumented rule is 'Momentum RULES!'.... pedestrians yield to bicycles, bicycles yield to scooters, scooters yield to larger motorcycles and motorcycles yield to cars, cars to buses and buses to large trucks and so on... I am not a fan of the horn, but I consider it as a simple common courtesy notice of "Hey, I am here". Also, I am impressed with the lack of road rage with merging traffic and the indifference if someone is a millimeter from scratching a luxury car. (In this scenario, you may not hear a horn.) I am sure there are many threads about this topic with posts from very experienced drivers and riders. I was even more impressed watching the local dogs... talk about street smarts! The beagle I had as a child on a farm in Ohio wouldn't have lasted five seconds....

Anyhow, I think anyone attempting to drive in China should consider reading the online test bank questions. There are no 'restarts' in life.... (It is a fun exercise also....)

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You sound like a very nice man and very well travelled rider so I am not going to be the one to bust your bubble, I let some other members do that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doogle

I caved in and downloaded WeChat on my tablet. I'll try to figure out how it works this week.

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It doesn't. WeChat requires a telephone number, you can't use it on a tablet unless it has an activated SIM card. WeChat is a disgusting evil application that should be banned from existence, but if you want to function in China, you're stuck with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChinaV

It doesn't. WeChat requires a telephone number, you can't use it on a tablet unless it has an activated SIM card. WeChat is a disgusting evil application that should be banned from existence, but if you want to function in China, you're stuck with it.

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I guess I'll need a sim card in China then. Doesn't Skype work there? But really, all I need is internet to update my ride reports. My tablet is wifi only. I can probably tie it to my phone/sim card.

install wechat on your phone
create an account by using your phone number
within the wechat app create a userID and password.
log on to wechat on your tablet using your username and password


For the last step you have to look at the login screen, there is a word or a button or something you can click to get the option to log on without using a phone number. You will still require a phone number to create your userID, but its not required to use wechat afterwards

Once in China and you get yourself a chinese sim card you may want to change the phone number associated with your account to your new chinese number. Then you can use it on your phone while here. You don't exist in China if you don't have a phone number - its almost as important as a passport, maybe more important

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChinaV

It doesn't. WeChat requires a telephone number, you can't use it on a tablet unless it has an activated SIM card. WeChat is a disgusting evil application that should be banned from existence, but if you want to function in China, you're stuck with it.

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Bingo! Complete truth... just like QQ, 360, Suchao et al.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SoCal Adv Tourer

>What is your list of things to see in China.<

Doogle & MCM Members,

Hello. The following URLs may help with destination considerations and save you a few keystrokes. I suggest you study the drivers license test even if you do not plan to obtain a drivers license. If you consider national parks... just connect the dots. Also, many English touring sites have multi-day or grand-touring routes of various regions that may be useful. I assume you have read many motorcycling trip reports of China. I have listed a couple of my favorite ride reports, specifically 'The Great Ride of China' and 'Big Bike Trip'.

Cheers!

David

Traffic Laws/Culture:
http://wenku.baidu.com/view/a56e35e9...d.html?re=view
http://www.chinadriver.org/exam/exam_en.php
http://wenku.baidu.com/view/4cd9deec...e8524688a.html

Nice Map Resources:
http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/a2zindex.html

National Parks:
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/chin...arks-in-china/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...parks_of_China
http://www.nationalparkofchina.com/cnnp.html

Man-made Wonders:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/trave...nt-wonders.htm

Previous Motorcyclist Routes & Trip Reports:
http://thegreatrideofchina.com/
http://www.thegreatrideofchina.com/command-center/
https://bigbiketrip.net/
http://www.fireworks.ru/moto/english.htm
http://beddha.free.fr/
http://www.bugsonmyboard.org/

Off-road 4WD & Motorcycle Touring Resources:
http://www.navo-tour.com/en/itinerar...rcycling_Tour/
http://www.hiddenchina.net/web/eng/r...motorbike.html
http://motorhome-china.com/report_ragtt2.html

Chinese Festivals & Fairs:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/
http://motorhome-china.com/fairs.html

General tourist sites with samples of multi-day and grand tours:
https://english.ctrip.com/packages/#ctm_ref=nb_pkg_top
http://www.chinahighlights.com/trave...first-trip.htm
https://www.viator.com/China-tours/M...-Tours/d13-g20
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/group/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china
http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/top-10s.html
http://www.chinadiscovery.com/customize-china-tour.html

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It will take a while to go through all these. But I do appreciate the links. You have some off road links there and you are in San Diego. Have you ever ridden Superstition Mountain, Ocotillo Wells, or Glamis? I've been coming to Seeley,California (Sunbeam Lake) the last 14 years for the winter. I ride my 660 Raptor and DRZ in the areas.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by billeuze

For the last step you have to look at the login screen, there is a word or a button or something you can click to get the option to log on without using a phone number. You will still require a phone number to create your userID, but its not required to use wechat afterwards

---

I don't see that option. I clicked the "more" link. It just allows me to switch users or add an account. I have an ID and password.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prince666

What is your list of things to see in China?

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Here are some of the more desired things I want to see.And I have a list of 2nd tier places that will be seen if I am close enough and have enough time.

Danxia Landform
Zhangjiajie National Park
Shilin
The Great Wall
Tiananmen Square
Terra cotta soldiers
Mt. Hua
Chengdu

Doogle:

>Have you ever ridden Superstition Mountain, Ocotillo Wells, or Glamis?<
I drove my 4x4 to the top of the Superstition Mtn at night during a new moon to service VZW cell sites.... It is quite difficult to navigate at night with poor directions and no landmarks. I've ridden Ocotillo Wells and Anza Borrego State Park many times. I hope to visit Glamis this winter.

Returning to China...

I visited Zhangjiajie National Park in March. If you visit the area, I suggest making time for the local gondola ride and certainly consider motorcycling 99-bends road in the same area. There's a glass sky-walk at the top which provides great views.

"It also has the world’s longest cable car ride, which takes 30 minutes to travel 7km and concludes with an incredibly steep 37-degree drop. Passengers look down across the forest-covered valley and can see the notorious 99 bends road – a winding mountain route leading to Tianmen cave, a gaping hole in a rock wall, better known as Heaven’s Door."

Chengdu is also a nice city to attend a Sichuan Opera.

"Sichuanese Opera is big in Chengdu and a good introduction to this beautiful art might be at the Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, which offers a mix of performances that can be easily understood even if you have never been introduced to this type of Opera or if you don’t speak Chinese. Face changing performance, comedy, fire-spitting, those acts are a real treat that you will enjoy."

Also, if you visit the Chengdu region, please consider Jiuzhaigo National Park or Nature Reserve. (Reference links below.) The local minorities provide a really nice lamb BBQ with alcohol, live traditional minority music within very decorative dining hall. It is a fun experience. Be careful....The local minority women may have more than one husband. The young ladies at the BBQ were quite frisky, so watch your six o'clock!<g>

Dive in... the research is half the fun.

Cheers!

David
(In general, plan to arrive very early at most tourist attractions, especially national parks. Lines will be long.)

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tian...HacWCWsQsAQILA

https://www.google.com/search?q=jiuz...CeDI4Q_AUIBygC

https://www.google.com/search?q=chen...Ha_lBooQsAQIGQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=chen...IBigB&dpr=1.25

Hi Doogle

Your list

Danxia Landform
Zhangjiajie National Park
Shilin
The Great Wall
Tiananmen Square
Terra cotta soldiers
Mt. Hua
Chengdu

All good except Tainanmen Square ?
You will.need to leave the bike out side the 4th or 5th ring road and bus it in mate .

The last thing you will need is to get pulled over near the square with no Chinese DL and you will get stopped 100%

Doogle & other MCM members,

Hello. The following link will help you learn about a city's or region's annual average weather, including

1. monthly average precipitation
2. monthly average highs and average lows
3. monthly air quality index, and
4. monthly average humidity

It is an important route planning tool.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/

Cheers!

David

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SoCal Adv Tourer

I suggest making time for the local gondola ride and certainly consider motorcycling 99-bends road in the same area. There's a glass sky-walk at the top which provides great views.

---

I don't think you can get a motorcycle on that road. I could be wrong, but I thought it was closed to all traffic other than the tour buses they force you to take.

Rule of thumb, if it's popular, it will be crowded and expensive. It's better to wander through remote places and see what you find instead of looking to the internet for popular destinations. A single U.S.A. national park pass will get you into 59 national parks for $80. I spent more than $80 in two days visiting Zhangjiajie and a huge portion of the time was spent waiting in line or sitting on a bus. And that was off season middle of the week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SoCal Adv Tourer

Doogle:

>Have you ever ridden Superstition Mountain, Ocotillo Wells, or Glamis?<
I drove my 4x4 to the top of the Superstition Mtn at night during a new moon to service VZW cell sites.... It is quite difficult to navigate at night with poor directions and no landmarks. I've ridden Ocotillo Wells and Anza Borrego State Park many times. I hope to visit Glamis this winter.

Returning to China...

I visited Zhangjiajie National Park in March. If you visit the area, I suggest making time for the local gondola ride and certainly consider motorcycling 99-bends road in the same area. There's a glass sky-walk at the top which provides great views.

"It also has the world’s longest cable car ride, which takes 30 minutes to travel 7km and concludes with an incredibly steep 37-degree drop. Passengers look down across the forest-covered valley and can see the notorious 99 bends road – a winding mountain route leading to Tianmen cave, a gaping hole in a rock wall, better known as Heaven’s Door."

Chengdu is also a nice city to attend a Sichuan Opera.

"Sichuanese Opera is big in Chengdu and a good introduction to this beautiful art might be at the Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, which offers a mix of performances that can be easily understood even if you have never been introduced to this type of Opera or if you don’t speak Chinese. Face changing performance, comedy, fire-spitting, those acts are a real treat that you will enjoy."

Also, if you visit the Chengdu region, please consider Jiuzhaigo National Park or Nature Reserve. (Reference links below.) The local minorities provide a really nice lamb BBQ with alcohol, live traditional minority music within very decorative dining hall. It is a fun experience. Be careful....The local minority women may have more than one husband. The young ladies at the BBQ were quite frisky, so watch your six o'clock!<g>

Dive in... the research is half the fun.

Cheers!

David
(In general, plan to arrive very early at most tourist attractions, especially national parks. Lines will be long.)

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tian...HacWCWsQsAQILA

https://www.google.com/search?q=jiuz...CeDI4Q_AUIBygC

https://www.google.com/search?q=chen...Ha_lBooQsAQIGQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=chen...IBigB&dpr=1.25

---

It's on my list.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by prince666

Hi Doogle

Your list

Danxia Landform
Zhangjiajie National Park
Shilin
The Great Wall
Tiananmen Square
Terra cotta soldiers
Mt. Hua
Chengdu

All good except Tainanmen Square ?
You will.need to leave the bike out side the 4th or 5th ring road and bus it in mate .

The last thing you will need is to get pulled over near the square with no Chinese DL and you will get stopped 100%

---

I don't plan to ride in any big cities. I'll park and ride to the attractions. I do hope to see you in Thailand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SoCal Adv Tourer

Doogle & other MCM members,

Hello. The following link will help you learn about a city's or region's annual average weather, including

1. monthly average precipitation
2. monthly average highs and average lows
3. monthly air quality index, and
4. monthly average humidity

It is an important route planning tool.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/

Cheers!

David

---

David,
Thanks,but I already have weather conditions of all China.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ChinaV

I don't think you can get a motorcycle on that road. I could be wrong, but I thought it was closed to all traffic other than the tour buses they force you to take.

Rule of thumb, if it's popular, it will be crowded and expensive. It's better to wander through remote places and see what you find instead of looking to the internet for popular destinations. A single U.S.A. national park pass will get you into 59 national parks for $80. I spent more than $80 in two days visiting Zhangjiajie and a huge portion of the time was spent waiting in line or sitting on a bus. And that was off season middle of the week.

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I understand. But if I;m half way around the world, I really don;t care what it costs. I've passed good sites in the USA before. But the cost to eventually return and enter makes the over priced ticket seem negligible.