How Can you Ride Motorbike to China

You may ride your motorcycles in and out of China without having to leave the ground. Exotic routes include Laos (Boten) to China (Mohan), Nepal (Kodari) to Tibet (Zhangmu), Kirghizstan-Xinjiang(Torugart Pass), Mongolia – China (Erenhot).

Steps and Travel Tipf of China Motorcycle Tours for Foreigners

If you’re planning to ride your motorbike into China, the process involves a combination of preparation, permits, and coordination with local tour services. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make your journey smoother:

1. Start Dreaming and Share Your Plans with RideChina

Begin by dreaming about your adventure, and reach out to RideChina or a similar motorbike tour company. They will help you plan your trip and provide the necessary support.

2. Contact Us for Route Planning (as Early as Possible)

The earlier you plan, the better. Customizing the route to suit your travel preferences will make your trip smoother. The most popular routes are from Laos (Boten) to China (Mohan), Nepal (Kodari) to Tibet (Zhangmu), and through Kyrgyzstan to Xinjiang via the Torugart Pass, as well as Mongolia to China via Erenhot.

3. Confirm Your Trip and Submit Documents

Once you’ve chosen the route, confirm your trip with RideChina. You’ll need to send documents like your vehicle registration and driver’s license. A deposit is usually required at this point.

4. Invitation Letter & Visa Application Support

RideChina will send you an invitation letter, along with other necessary documents for your visa application. Make sure to start the visa process early, as it can take time to receive approval.

5. Permits & Tour Booking

While your visa is being processed, RideChina will apply for the necessary permits and finalize the details of your tour. This might include booking accommodation, guides, and transportation.

6. Reconfirm Date and Time as Entry Approaches

As your entry date draws near, reconfirm the details with your guide. This ensures that everything is in place for your arrival at the border.

7. Meet Your Guide at the Border

Upon reaching the designated border, your guide will meet you. This is a crucial moment where you’ll finalize everything for your journey into China.

8. Customs, Vehicle Inspection & Chinese Licenses

Once you’ve met your guide, proceed through customs and undergo a vehicle inspection. If everything is in order, you’ll receive your Chinese driving permits or temporary license, allowing you to travel freely.

9. Travel Across China with Your Guide

You and your guide will begin your tour across China. The guide will ensure you stay on track, assist with navigating routes, and help with any additional paperwork or customs procedures as needed.

10. Exit Customs & Departure for Your Next Adventure

When you reach the exit border, you’ll clear customs once more and be free to continue your journey, whether you’re heading onward into another country or taking a different route back home.

This journey is a great way to explore China by motorbike, but thorough preparation is key. Starting early and working with experienced tour providers like RideChina will make the process much easier and more enjoyable.

How to Ride Your Own Motorbike to China

Initial Planning and Dreaming:

  • Start by envisioning your trip and routes you want to take.
  • Share your ideas and plans with RideChina or a similar service provider.

Contact for Route Planning:

  • Contact RideChina as early as possible to begin route planning.
  • Discuss your itinerary, border crossings, and specific requirements.

Trip Confirmation and Documentation:

  • Confirm your trip details with RideChina.
  • Provide necessary documents for both yourself (driver) and your vehicle.
  • A deposit may be required at this stage.

Visa Application Support:

  • RideChina will assist you in obtaining an invitation letter and other supporting documents necessary for your Chinese visa application.

Permit Application and Tour Booking:

  • RideChina will start the process of applying for permits and temporary plates for your motorcycle.
  • They will also book your tour arrangements within China.

Final Confirmation Before Entry:

  • Reconfirm your arrival date and time with RideChina as your entry date approaches.
  • Ensure all necessary preparations are in place.

Meeting at Designated Border:

  • On the day of entry, your guide from RideChina will meet you at the designated border crossing.
  • They will assist you through customs and vehicle inspection procedures.

Obtaining Chinese Licenses:

  • With the guidance of RideChina, you will complete the process to obtain temporary Chinese driver’s licenses and necessary permits for your motorcycle.

Guided Tour Across China:

  • Throughout your journey in China, you must be accompanied by RideChina’s guides.
  • They can either ride alongside you on their own motorcycles or travel in a support vehicle.

Exiting China:

  • When you reach your exit border, RideChina will assist you in clearing customs for departure.
  • Ensure all formalities are completed smoothly for your onward adventure.

Important Considerations:

Permit and License Preparation: It typically takes 60 working days to arrange all necessary permits and temporary licenses. Plan your trip well in advance to accommodate this timeline.

Guided Tour Requirement: All self-driving tour groups in China must be accompanied by guides from RideChina throughout the entire journey.

Customs and Guaranty: Depending on the value of your vehicles, Chinese Customs may require a sum of money as a guarantee. This deposit is refunded once the vehicles leave the country.

By following these steps and guidelines, you can navigate the complexities of riding your own motorcycle into and through China, ensuring a memorable and compliant adventure across this diverse and vast country.

Popular Motorcycle Routes in China for Foreign Riders

China offers a wide range of exciting motorbike tours for those looking to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, rich culture, and scenic routes. Below is a list of popular motorbike tours that take you through some of China’s most iconic regions and border crossings, offering a mix of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.

1. 5 Days Pakistan-China-Xinjiang-Kyrgyzstan Motorbike Tour

Route: (Pakistan) – Khunjerab – Taxkorgan – Karakuli Lake – Kashgar – Irkeshtam – (Kyrgyzstan)
This tour connects Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan via Xinjiang, allowing riders to explore breathtaking landscapes, including Karakuli Lake and Kashgar (喀什).

2. 5 Days Kyrgyzstan-China-Xinjiang-Pakistan Motorbike Tour

Route: (Kyrgyzstan) – Irkeshtam – Kashgar – Karakuli Lake – Taxkorgan – Khunjerab – (Pakistan)
Starting in Kyrgyzstan, this tour takes you through Kashgar and Taxkorgan, offering stunning views of the Pamir Mountains and the Karakuli Lake before crossing into Pakistan.

3. 11 Days Nepal-Tibet-Nepal Motorcycle Tour from Gyirong Border

Route: (Nepal) – Kyirong (吉隆) – Saga – Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok – Lhasa (拉萨) – Shigatse – Lhatse – Shegar – Rongbuk / Everest – Paiku Tso – Kyirong (吉隆) – (Nepal)
This tour explores the spectacular landscapes of Tibet, including the Everest Base Camp (珠穆朗玛峰), with the opportunity to experience the unique culture of Tibet (西藏).

4. 14 Days Nepal-China (Tibet-Xinjiang)-Kyrgyzstan Motorbike Tour with Mount Kailash

Route: (Nepal) – Kyirong – Paiku Tso – Rongbuk / Everest – Shegar – Lhatse – Shigatse – Saga – Manasarovar – Kailash – Tsada – Shiquanhe – Domar – Mazar – Kashgar (喀什) – Irkeshtam – (Kyrgyzstan)
A spiritual journey through Tibet, this tour includes a visit to Mount Kailash (冈仁波齐), one of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism.

5. 15 Days Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang-Tibet)-Nepal Motorbike Tour

Route: (Kyrgyzstan) – Irkeshtam – Kashgar – Mazar – Hongliutan – Domar – Shiquanhe – Tsada – Kailash – Manasarovar – Saga – Paiku Tso – Old Tingri – Rongbuk / Everest – Old Tingri – Paiku Tso – Kyirong (吉隆) – (Nepal)
Explore the diverse terrains of Xinjiang, Tibet, and Nepal, with stops at Everest Base Camp and Kailash.

6. 16 Days Nepal-China (Tibet-Yunnan)-Myanmar Motorbike Tour

Route: (Nepal) – Kyirong (吉隆) – Shigatse – Gyantse – Lhasa (拉萨) – Basum Tso Lake – Linzhi – Bomi – Ranwu Lake – Baxoi – Zuogong – Markam – Dechen – Shangri-La – Lijiang (丽江) – Dali – Baoshan – Ruili – (Myanmar)
A cross-border adventure through Tibet (西藏) and Yunnan (云南), with visits to famous destinations like Shangri-La and Lijiang before heading into Myanmar (缅甸).

7. 17 Days Yunnan Motorbike Riding Tour from Laos (Mohan Border)

Route: (Laos) – Mohan – Mengla – Yuanyang – Jianshui – Kunming (昆明) – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La – Dechen – Weixi – Baoshan – Lincang – Jinghong – Mengla – Mohan – (Laos)
This tour offers a deep dive into the landscapes and cultures of Yunnan, with a start and end in Laos (老挝).

8. 19 Days Nepal-China Tibet-Nepal Motorbike Tour with Kailash and Everest

Route: (Nepal) – Kyirong (吉隆) – Paiku Tso – Shegar – Rongbuk/Everest – Shegar – Lhatse – Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok – Lhasa (拉萨) – Nam Tso – Serling Tso – Nyima – Dong Tso – Gertse – Gerkyi – Shiquanhe – Tsada – Darchen / Kailash – Manasarovar – Saga – Kyirong (吉隆) – (Nepal)
Explore Nepal and Tibet with a focus on Mount Kailash and Everest, two of the most iconic peaks in the Himalayas.

9. 20 Days Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang-Tibet Lhasa)-Nepal Motorbike Tour

Route: (Kyrgyzstan) – Irkeshtam – Kashgar (喀什) – Mazar – Hongliutan – Domar – Shiquanhe – Tsada – Kailash – Manasarovar – Saga – Shigatse (日喀则) – Lhasa (拉萨) – Yamdrok Lake – Shigatse – Lhatse – Old Tingri – Rongbuk / Everest – Paiku Tso – Kyirong (吉隆) – (Nepal)
An extended exploration of Tibet and Xinjiang, including Everest and Kailash, crossing into Nepal for a scenic conclusion.

10. 20 Days Laos-China-Mongolia Motorbike Tour from Mohan to Erenhot

Route: (Laos) – Mohan – Mengla – Jiangcheng – Yuanyang – Kunming (昆明) – Zhaotong – Leshan – Chengdu – Sanxingdui – Zitong – Jianmenguan Pass – Guangyuan – Hanzhong – Foping – Xi’an – Linfen – Pingyao – Taiyuan – Datong – Hohhot – Erlianhaote – (Mongolia)
A long-distance tour that stretches from Laos to Mongolia, covering major cities and historical sites along the way.

11. 22 Days Laos-China (Yunnan-Tibet)-Nepal Motorbike Tour from Mohan to Gyirong

Route: (Laos) – Mohan – Jiangcheng – Yuanyang – Jianshui – Shilin – Kunming (昆明) – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La – Dechen – Markam – Zuogong – Baxoi – Linzhi – Basum Tso – Lhasa (拉萨) – Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse – Shegar – Rongbuk / Everest – Paiku Tso Lake – Kyirong (吉隆) – (Nepal)
A journey from Laos through Yunnan and Tibet, finishing in Nepal after visiting Everest and Kailash.

12. 22 Days Nepal-China (Tibet-Yunnan)-Laos Motorbike Tour from Gyirong to Mohan

Route: (Nepal) – Kyirong (吉隆) – Paiku Tso – Rongbuk Monastery / Everest (珠穆朗玛峰) – Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok – Lhasa (拉萨) – Basum Tso – Linzhi – Baxoi – Markam – Dechen – Shangri-La – Lijiang (丽江) – Dali – Kunming – Jianshui – Yuanyang – Puer – Mengla – Mohan – (Laos)
A unique reverse route exploring the rich cultures and landscapes of Nepal, Tibet, and Yunnan, ending in Laos.

13. 31 Days Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang-Tibet-Yunnan)-Laos Motorbike Riding Tour from Irkeshtam to Mohan

Route: (Kyrgyzstan) – Irkeshtam – Kashgar (喀什) – Yecheng – Mazar – Hongliutan – Domar – Bangong Tso – Shiquanhe – Tsada – Tirthapuri – Manasarovar Lake – Paryang – Saga – Lhatse – Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok Lake – Lhasa (拉萨) – Basum Tso – Linzhi – Lulang Forest – Bome – Ranwu Lake – Baxoi – Zuogong – Markam – Yanjing – Dechen – Shangri-La – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang (丽江) – Dali – Chuxiong – **Kunming