Chengdu-Kathmandu Ride: T-Bit Border Crossing Question

[MotoKai]

Since that option isn't happening any time soon, we're now planning an alternate route that will take us thru some very good sections of Yunnan and Sichuan.

Just came back from northern Chengdu and south-western Gansu. Had no problems with police or anything ...

The route we are working on now will take us from Hunan into Guizhou and Yunnan, then up thru Sichuan and potentially ending in Shanxi.

A bit of concern with the rainy season we may encounter. Is there anyone in these areas that can share insights/comments?
Fahni - What type(s) of weather did you experience?

[fahni]

Weather was generally fine but I intentionally went before the rainy season is supposed to start in mid-june. people told me that end of June, beginning of July is the best time to visit as there is ample rain (sic!) and thus the meadows are flushing.

I ran into thunderstorms three times, every time with hail mixed in, but all three times the strong rain lasted only between 15 and 60 minutes with light rain later on. Even though I can imagine road conditions getting very unpleasant very quickly with small rock and mud slides. I went from Minxian to Lixian in Gansu province, a region battered by storms in May (http://www.beijingshots.com/2012/05/...ansu-nw-china/) after a thunderstorm and light rain later on and it made going very slow. You cannot see how deep the potholes are when they are filled with mud and sometimes you have to cross long stretches of lightly flooded road. Probably ok when you are in a group, I was a little worried on the deserted stretches as I was riding alone.

[milton]

The timing for visiting Yunnan at this time of the year is probably bad. However, Yunnan is in the midst of a multi-year drought. We may be lucky not to get rained on too much. Take a look of the following stat:
http://weather.news.sina.com.cn/news...524/75562.html

The rainfall in Lijiang 丽江 as of 5/23 is only 7% of the yearly average, which is extremely unusually low. Just hope it doesn't come down all at once during our trip.

Cheers!