Few weeks in South West China

[CrazyCarl]

There was one case I heard about in China where a truck driver hit a kid at night but didn't kill the child. To avoid having him self identified and fined, he backed the truck over the child again to finish the job just as the child mother ran outside to witness it.

From what I understand the driver got the death penalty. China has HEAVY penalties for running away from the scene of an accident and anyone ESPECIALLY FOREIGNERS are well advised to stay and face the music. If you show that you are trying to handle the responsibilities you'll be much better off than if you run like a jack-ass. If you run and they catch you, not only will you be royally screwed but you'll make it harder for other foreigners to independently explore China in the future.

CC

[Brice]

Yes there are many stories like that.

3 years ago, a young German living in Shanghai was hit and killed by a van while riding his scooter. The van didn't stop.

It was a blast in the local expat community because he didn't have a driver license and insurance.

In fact scoots were so cheap for these young expats that many bought them with their pocket money without telling their parents.

Few days, later the cops came to the French-German high school where my kids studied to check every motorized bikes.

[chinabiker]

There was one case I heard about in China where a truck driver hit a kid at night but didn't kill the child. ...

Something like this was caught on tape.



Andy

[Brice]

One day on dirty wet roads and no picture, I'm in Chengdu. After 3 weeks in the countryside and small cities this is a big change, Chengdu looks clean, nice. Even the weather is more friendly.


I'll stay 3 nights at Sim's Guesthouse, a well known backpackers hostel owned by a guy from Singapore.


I ride in the north west of the city where is located the bikes accessories market. New tires, new oil and filters, few nuts and bolts to check or change, that's it.




The thread of the upper triple clamp is dead on the left side. They redo one.


Not far there is another shop selling dirt bikes. They have the new Shineray 250 X1, a watercooled MX bike. I ask for a short ride. Very different from the QingQi, higher seat, wide handlebar, more responsive, more power and stiff suspensions. 14000RMB or $2000 here in Chengdu.



Also there is a Galaxy FTR 250. I already ride this one few months. Their factory is not far from my hometown in South China and I paid them a visit. Check the report. Smaller bike than the Shineray, easy to handle, it should please small gabarit, women or teens. 10000RMB or $1500


Back to the hostel, it is already dark and time for a jaunt in the city center.


A Russian theater or a KTV (Karaoke bar)?


On display a light version of the famous Katiouchka or Stalin organ set on a Chinese jeep (BJ2020).


Big cities are convenient but I find them uninteresting so back to the countryside. Yan'an valley and in the background the mountains were I'm heading.


Yan'an, last city before the Tibet - QingHai plateau.


Little snack before twisty roads.






Where I came from.


First snow capped mountain. There is not too much snow because this is the dry season, snow will arrive later with the monsoon. At this pass, I'm above 3000m and even with a clear shinny sky it is freezing.


I stop for the night in KangDing, the entry city of the Tibetan world in West Sichuan. Not too much photo there, I'm not in the mood.


Small restaurant, I don't even know what I will eat, just point a dish on another table. Anyway, it was hot and tasty.


Later in the street, I spot this stand. Looks like duck eggs.


On the main square, people are dancing, good way to stay warm around here.


To be continued...

[ZMC888]

You really did the right thing with that accident.

That kind of shit is so typical in China. It wasn't your fault. All the villagers and the cops know in their heart you are a good guy.

The amount you had to pay was insane, and unfair, I hate the way that they try to milk something that is their fault to their advantage.
__________________________________________________ _____________

My method would be

1. Check person that has been hit is OK.
2. Pay a reasonable sum which would be considered a lot by a local (500-1000 RMB) on the spot to injured party or relative of injured person.
3. Get away before cops show up.

I know this may not be fully legal....

[Brice]

Another day, another departure. The owner of the guesthouse allowed me to park the bike inside the lobby.


KangDing which was before a city mostly occupied by Tibetan ethnic people is changing quickly. New districts are rising up to face massive arrival of Chinese (Han ethnic) from the East. Let's call that the progress...


On the road since less than one hour and I'm already cold to the bones. I have six layers of clothes but this is barely enough.


Few minutes before this photo, I felt in an icy sharp turn. No time to take a pic I was surrounding by trucks trying to climb the road.


The first pass above 4000m of this trip. In the Tibetan areas, each pass hosts a Buddhist monument called shorten. People turn around clockwise and often left streamers of flags cover with prayers.


In summer time, this landscape is green, now the grass is burnt by the cold.


The landscape has changed so the houses.


They are large, colorful and made of rocks. The basement will be used as a barn in winter time for cattle.


Road is not bad but dusty. Some sections are dirt, some others are tarmac or cement. To help the bike breathing at these altitudes, I have removed the airbox cover.



First stop in a big village to eat some boiled eggs.



The 2 guys on the right are wearing the traditional Tibetan coat made of Yak wool. They wear it all year round, it protects from the cold and the rain. Check how long the sleeves are.


As usual, the landscape is stunning. This is my third time in this region I like it more and more.


My road to Litang.






Winter is coming but Yaks are still in the pastures above 4000m.




The highest pass of the trip


Few kms later, a small monastery, precisely a convent.






Above Litang, the city where I'll stay for the night.


The mountains range where I'm heading Tomorrow.


A herd on the way down to Litang.




No photo of Litang, I'm not well, tired, cough and altitude sickness (strong headache). The hostel is a fridge. After a soup and a little chat with 2 backpackers, I'm heading to my room to get some sleep. The electric blanket provided is useless, I will alternatively sweat and freeze all the night. Morning is worse, altitude sickness is stronger and the only way to stop it is to go down. I expected to stay 2 or 3 days in Litang but I decide to make my way to the next leg XiangCheng which is a little bit lower.

To be continued...

[Snortin Norton]

Tooo bad your not in PURU , you could have chewed up some Coca leaves for your sickness . Strong doses of antihystemins are supposed to help too with
the altitude . Lets see , your in Tibet or China, home of all Medicines and they have no altitude sickness remedy ? Hmmmm? Did you ask any pharmacist for the cure yet ? 3rd time there , and you are dealing with it three times now ? Why ?

Later, cool pics . Snortin

[CrazyCarl]

Brice,

Great pics and much kudos to you for attempting it in the winter because it's COLD up there! Those roads are my old stomping ground and every time I see pictures of the area it really sends me back.

I'm also a little surprised to see you made it to Litang without any problems from authorities. Have they started to let people through again without checking? If so that would be great news!

CC

[kingmarty45]

Tibet looks amazing. It is a shame you were poorly.

Keep em coming!

[Brice]

Brice,

Great pics and much kudos to you for attempting it in the winter because it's COLD up there! Those roads are my old stomping ground and every time I see pictures of the area it really sends me back.

I'm also a little surprised to see you made it to Litang without any problems from authorities. Have they started to let people through again without checking? If so that would be great news!

CC

Yes It was too late in the season to really enjoy the area.

Yes the road is open since end of Olympics. There were some checkpoints but I don't bother to stop and they don't bother to stop me.