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accessible adventure, the most straightforward option is to rely on one of the specialist agencies that organise motorcycle trips in China. There are group tours, with itineraries covering some of the country’ s most spectacular destinations, as well as individual trips using rental motorcycles, naturally registered in China.
It is also possible to travel with your own motorcycle, entering China overland from one of the neighbouring countries. This is a considerably more complicated option, particularly because of the bureaucracy involved in bringing a foreign-registered vehicle into the country and riding it legally. Anyone considering this type of journey should therefore plan well in advance and work with an experienced local partner who can assist with the necessary procedures and dealings with the Chinese authorities. When entering through certain border regions, a local guide may also be required for security reasons.
As far as guides are concerned, our experience has been different. On the journeys we have made through mainland China, we travelled independently and without an escort and, in our experience, were never stopped for checks by police along the way. Tibet is the exception, where specific regulations apply, permits are required and travelling with a Tibetan guide is mandatory.
ROAD PIONEER: OUR PARTNER IN CHINA
During our journeys through China, we chose to travel independently, but having a local partner proved essential in dealing with a whole range of issues, starting with the temporary driving permit. Our support came from the Road Pioneer team, who accompanied us throughout our journeys, providing local knowledge, experience and contacts. They helped us identify places to visit, recommended accommodation— many hotels in China are not authorised to host foreign visitors— and, above all, assisted us with the bureaucratic and organisational matters that can be difficult for a foreign motorcyclist to handle independently.
One of the most important of these concerns the driving licence. To ride a motorcycle legally in China, you need to obtain a driving permit issued by the Chinese authorities. Here too, having a local contact who understands the procedures and knows who to deal with proved invaluable. Road Pioneer played an even more important role during our trip to Tibet. Travel in this region is subject to particularly strict regulations and, in order to make the journey possible, we joined an organised tour, accompanying a group of Italian motorcyclists from Kunming to Lhasa and on to Everest Base Camp.
Our experience has taught us that independent travel in China is possible, but having a reliable local partner makes a huge difference. It does not restrict your independence;
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