Xinjiang trip advice

I am planning a trip to Xinjiang in the Autumn. I am looking to fly to Urumqi, buy a Chinese motorbike and then head out towards the Taklamakan oases and Kashgar among other places for about a month. So, I am looking for information on the practicalities of buying a China bike (and re-selling it at the end of the trip) and registering it. I know that the Chinese driving licence is a major issue; I have heard tales of many who just don't bother (esp. for a short trip) and seem to get away with it. Any thoughts on this? Also recommendations for what bike. I currently ride a dual sport in the UK (Aprilia Pegaso Trail, Italian not Chinese, sorry), so a Chinese dual sport would be the preferred option. Anyone who has any tips or suggestions, comments etc; all are welcome. Thanks in advance for any help.:goodtime:

Hi wuming,

I wish you all the best of luck on your adventure.

Any of the Chinese 200cc dualsports should be fine for the trip. You won't be able to register it, but you can usually travel for 30 days before registering a new bike. It will be tough to sell at the end of the trip, but you can probably get something for it.

Driving without a license and insurance has been done by many, but understand the risk. One grumpy police officer at a roadblock and your trip is over. Even a small traffic accident can escalate into a major international incident if someone is injured.

Bear in mind that China was pretty lax on restricting travel before the Olympics. It's very difficult for independent travelers to move through Xinjiang or Tibet without valid papers and escort. I think your plan relies heavily on peace and stability in that region between now and your trip.

I have not been to Xinjiang, but a couple of other riders like franki and tokyokid have been through recently, they might have some good advice.

Cheers!
ChinaV

WuMing,

ChinaV is just about right on with his advice. It will e hard to sell the bike for any reasonable returns if it's not registered and tagged when you first get it. Urumuqi may not be the easiest place to get that done but then again I'm not sure so there's ultimately only one way to find out. If you're willing to go on a 200 or 150, you may be able to write off the cost of the bike since they aren't killer expensive and you could always donate it to a worthy soul.


Most the the roads you'd be riding in those regions are excellent and over one month you could spend quite some time in each city/town. Be sure to visit TaZhong. If you're more adventurous, there are more than a few "off the beaten track" villages you could visit south of the desert but the roads will be notably trickier. The Autumn should be a good time in terms of wind-storms and temperatures but don't forget to bring your cold weather gear. You'll need it as the mountains are high!

Keep us posted as things develop.

CC

You might want to look at what details you need to get a visa if your going to Xinjiang.

We have to get a letter of Invitation from someone living in Xinjiang to get a visa for Xinjiang.Not a problem just a inconvenience.

I never had to do that before.

Apparently the rest of China except Tebit and Xinjiang is OK.

Might be an interesting year in Xinjiang and tebit.

Thanks for the replies so far.

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You might want to look at what details you need to get a visa if your going to Xinjiang.

We have to get a letter of Invitation from someone living in Xinjiang to get a visa for Xinjiang.Not a problem just a inconvenience.

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Are you sure about this bigdamo? I have never come across this before and can't find any information about it. I thought it was just Tibet than needed an extra permit.:confused1:

Anybody have any favourite dual-sport Chinese bikes they want to recommend? I am happy enough with a 250cc for this short trip, maybe even make do with a 125cc. What do you suggest?
More questions to come as I think of them. Thanks.:goodtime:

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Originally Posted by wuming

Thanks for the replies so far.



Are you sure about this bigdamo? I have never come across this before and can't find any information about it. I thought it was just Tibet than needed an extra permit.:confused1:

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Yes I'm sure.We aren't going through the hassle of getting the letter for the fun of it.
My wife rang and went into the Chinese embassy and asked about a extended visa for china a month ago and they said no problems.

Went in last week to get the visa and when they asked what location are you going to and she said Xinjiang they told her she needs a letter of Invitation from someone there.

They might be dirty that she took up Australian citizenship?

I have never needed a letter of invitation to enter Xinjiang before.

OK because she is individually organizing her Visa not going through a travel agent/group tour she needs a letter of invitation from someone in Xinjiang.

This is I'm told is due to the problems they had before the Olympics with certain people/groups in Xinjiang.

Make it interesting for people who want to come to the new world class ski resort (Part owned by Americans and received some publicity in USA skiing circles) opening up in Xinjiang.

Man that's bollocks but to be expected. The western regions are a little tense right now I suppose and they have to strike a balance between getting the tourism money the want (so as to no make the last 10 years of tourism investment a horrific loss) and controlling the passage of info around the regions. Organized tours has always been the way to go I guess.

Sorry to hear about the extra hassle, but getting a different story every time you go back to an office is SOP. I remember when getting my second driving license I had to go back 4 times and the office was fookin' way out of town. Every time I went back some little terd would say "Oh this is not enough, you need this." Then I got it and came back and had the same shit "Oh you need this too, that was incorrect." I came back again and go the same story so asked them to to give me a printed sheet saying what I needed, can back AGAIN and they tried to not allow em to take the test. I started yelling and waving my arms around like a maniac and they finally let me sit for their stupid exam. That was a tremendous learning experience and an incredible waste of time. In theory the rules are more formalized now but at the time... that's what it was!

CC

Just to add to the confusion: I contacted the Chinese embassy in London, and was categorically informed that "British Passport holders do not need any special permits to enter Xinjiang, only a regular Chinese visa". I don't doubt what you were told in Oz, bigdamo; maybe it is a different nationality thing (although, in the past, it seemed to be British and US passport holders who had "less fair" treatment when getting Chinese visas). All I can say is that maybe the rules aren't uniformly applied. Good luck with your trip though.:goodtime:

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Originally Posted by wuming

...All I can say is that maybe the rules aren't uniformly applied...

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:lol8::lol8::lol8:

Someone please let us all know when the rules ARE uniformly applied because then we'll really have something to talk about! Just like most things in China, it's sometimes better to just do it and not ask. If you ask, unless the answer is absolutely clear and party line, you're likely to receive an unwanted response.
If you ask, then you can't say you didn't know.

What the bureaucrats in the offices follow is often not the same as the people you'll meet on the roads. If you're looking for absolute security, assurance and predictability while riding in China FORGET IT. Much of the adventure is not knowing what's going to happen. Much of the personal growth is learning how to deal with that and coming away a better person regardless of outcome.

CC

OK I have now been into the Chinese embassy(Sydney,Australia) to ask about the visa.

They said I can have a Visa to enter Xinjiang on my own no letter of invitation needed.

My wife on the other hand being born in Xinjiang and now has a Australian passport which cancels her Chinese passport must get a Letter of Invitation to get a visa each time she wants to go back to Xinjiang.

When I asked why. They said Chinese regulations.NEXT.

Go figure?

Sorry, I was a bit slow in seeing this post. OK, that makes more sense to me now. Thanks bigdamo:thumbsup: