Hello to everyone, and can I say what a great community you have here...

Starting September I will be studying in Guangzhou, but before that I'm planning a smallish tour in the west (in and around Yunnan appeals most!) probably starting in July. Hopefully I will be able to validate my study visa when I arrive in July, allowing me temporary residence in Guangzhou.

I have a couple of questions/concerns that I couldn't find answers to in other posts, so any info would be really appreciated!

-has anybody had experience with buying/registering a bike and getting a Chinese licence in GZ despite the ban? (I'm familiar with the process from other posts - translation, test etc. just read contradictory reports about GZ)

-any reports on budget hotel options in Yunnan (ie in anybody's experience what sort of cost for a roadside hotel)

-any must-rides in the SW!?


This will be my third adventure (Vietnam & India in previous years-- great start) and I can't wait to get on the road again! If anybody's interested, check out my blog from Northern India on an Enfield at http://chakdefatte.tumblr.com

Cheers --Lawrence