Bicycling Thru China

[watgate]

I am considering getting a visa at the chinese embassy when I am in chiang mai this winter. I would like to enter China through the northern part of thailand with my bicycle and bicycle through the chinese countryside to see teir way of life and what the country has to offer. Does anyone have any experiences in china along the same lines as what I am considering doing? .

[crusader79]

First of all, Thailand has no border with China, you would have to go through Laos or Myanmar. I seriously doubt the latter is possible, the former am not sure.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

check out this website. They did it and lots of good details on the logistics. Why reinvent the wheel.

http://downtheroad.org/video/DTR_bicycle_touring_videos/2_bicycle_touring_Laos_Asia.htm

[el jefe]

I've done this trip the other way, from Kunming to CM via Laos. I have friends here who have cycled from Europe to CM via China and Laos.

No reason it can't be done the other way. afaik, the only real pre-planning that needs to be done is that you'll need your Chinese visa in advance. The only other consideration, since you're doing this in the winter, is how far north and west you plan on going in China. They do have real winters in much of China.

[jmdf103]

this is a good link

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

[hellodolly]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

The traveling through Burma can be difficult not sure of what there requirements are now. But as Lao it is a beautiful trip.

[el jefe]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

The traveling through Burma can be difficult not sure of what there requirements are now. But as Lao it is a beautiful trip.

Did you actually cross the border there into China?

When I was in Monglar two years ago, that border was only open to Myanmar and Chinese citizens.

if that has changed and the Myanmar govt allows unrestricted travel now, that would be wonderful news.

[hellodolly]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

The traveling through Burma can be difficult not sure of what there requirements are now. But as Lao it is a beautiful trip.

Did you actually cross the border there into China?

When I was in Monglar two years ago, that border was only open to Myanmar and Chinese citizens.

if that has changed and the Myanmar govt allows unrestricted travel now, that would be wonderful news.

We did not even try to go to China. Just toured around a little bit in Monglar. was A little under the weather and let the others do most of the touring. The little I could see impressed me. They would only take Chinese money there. Did not have enough when they asked for a deposit on the room keys but finaly got them to take a US $100 bill.

You might ask at the Chinese counsel on the outside of the moat on the south side.

Not sure about getting a visa through Burma. I hired a Thai driver who was a little familiar with the language and he handled all the papers. Now with the new government it might be a little easier. One other experience we had was we spent the first night in Kengtong and on the way in the hotel would only take Thai money on the way back I made them take Burmese money.

[el jefe]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

The traveling through Burma can be difficult not sure of what there requirements are now. But as Lao it is a beautiful trip.

Did you actually cross the border there into China?

When I was in Monglar two years ago, that border was only open to Myanmar and Chinese citizens.

if that has changed and the Myanmar govt allows unrestricted travel now, that would be wonderful news.

We did not even try to go to China. Just toured around a little bit in Monglar. was A little under the weather and let the others do most of the touring. The little I could see impressed me. They would only take Chinese money there. Did not have enough when they asked for a deposit on the room keys but finaly got them to take a US $100 bill.

You might ask at the Chinese counsel on the outside of the moat on the south side.

Not sure about getting a visa through Burma. I hired a Thai driver who was a little familiar with the language and he handled all the papers. Now with the new government it might be a little easier. One other experience we had was we spent the first night in Kengtong and on the way in the hotel would only take Thai money on the way back I made them take Burmese money.

Dolly, just because you see a big, fancy building that doesn't mean you can cross there, even with a visa in advance. The OP and I are both interested in unescorted, independent touring.

Thanks for the scintillating anecdote about money too.

[hellodolly]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

The traveling through Burma can be difficult not sure of what there requirements are now. But as Lao it is a beautiful trip.

Did you actually cross the border there into China?

When I was in Monglar two years ago, that border was only open to Myanmar and Chinese citizens.

if that has changed and the Myanmar govt allows unrestricted travel now, that would be wonderful news.

We did not even try to go to China. Just toured around a little bit in Monglar. was A little under the weather and let the others do most of the touring. The little I could see impressed me. They would only take Chinese money there. Did not have enough when they asked for a deposit on the room keys but finaly got them to take a US $100 bill.

You might ask at the Chinese counsel on the outside of the moat on the south side.

Not sure about getting a visa through Burma. I hired a Thai driver who was a little familiar with the language and he handled all the papers. Now with the new government it might be a little easier. One other experience we had was we spent the first night in Kengtong and on the way in the hotel would only take Thai money on the way back I made them take Burmese money.

Dolly, just because you see a big, fancy building that doesn't mean you can cross there, even with a visa in advance. The OP and I are both interested in unescorted, independent touring.

Thanks for the scintillating anecdote about money too.

Not sure what you mean by a big building but I would imagine the Chinese consulate would know if you could cross there. Wouldn't hurt to ask them.

[el jefe]

We went through Burma to Monglar on the Chinese border by auto.You can cross the border into China there. Not sure what part of it.

We did not even try to go to China.

Not sure what you mean by a big building but I would imagine the Chinese consulate would know if you could cross there. Wouldn't hurt to ask them.

Thanks. You've been incredibly helpful.

[cmbe]

Try to search for the route R3A, many peoples take this road to China, or check out website below.

http://www.bikemap.net/regional/Thailand/Chiang%20Rai/Muang%20Chiang%20Rai#lat=20.54279&lng=100.01953&zoom=9&type=6

http://compasscm.com/issue/Apr11/module_back.asp?content=Apr11/escapechina〈=EN

This is another bike trip (March 2012) from Chiang Rai to Lao and China.

http://www.thaimtb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=431435

[Gonzo the Face]

Didn't we have a thread just the other day that said that effective as of last Friday [ I believe it was last Friday] that 'Visa on Arrival' would be available in Myanmar for Asean and certain other countries.....

Seems that would take care of Burma....

gonzo

Another thought for the day:

Why do we sing

"Take me out to the ball game"

When we are already there?

[el jefe]

Didn't we have a thread just the other day that said that effective as of last Friday [ I believe it was last Friday] that 'Visa on Arrival' would be available in Myanmar for Asean and certain other countries.....

Seems that would take care of Burma....

gonzo

Gonzo, you've been spending way to much time with Dolly!

When and if Visa on Arrival is available in Burma (it wasn't available the last time I checked -- this past Tuesday) that still won't help the OP, or any of us that want to travel from CM to China. The VOA will only be good flying into Yangon. A little out of the way if you're trying to get to China! You still need the Myanmar generals to allow you to travel freely from Tachilek. That ain't happening any time soon. Unless you know something Dolly doesn't. And even when they allow unrestricted travel in Myanmar, they'll have to open an international border at Monglar and allow all nationalities to cross there into China.

cmbe, yes the R3A is the standard road route that most people take from northern Thailand to China via Laos, although with a MTB there are several other options. What many of us are waiting for is the ability to use R3B.The route they used on the Eco Tour this past Feb/March followed the old road from the Lao border to Jinghong. That's definitely the best way to go with a bike since you go thru all the small towns that the new highway bypasses.