To China and Back

[SilkRoute]

Hello, am new here.

In a couple of years a few of us are going to drive to China and back (back being Luton). Of course I've decided we're going to do it in a Defender as it wont all be on A roads. While we're old hands at travelling (we've been shot at, kidnapped, arrested, mugged - almost anything you would care to name, on every continent in the world) we're new to Landys and in fact fairly clueless on most motor matters. So I thought it might be good to take some general advice, on models to look at buying, modifications to make, mechanics stuff we'll need to take, what I'll need to learn how to do, and how much it all might cost.

There will be four of us, we'll be doing mountains, deserts and great planes and maybe even venture into the subtropics. I know how to survive, I want to know what to drive.

What do you suggest?

[mmgemini]

How long is a piece of string.

At least you've started to plan now. I would suspect planning willl take over a year. As will vehicle preparation.

I wouyld suggest three vehicles. Land Rover Defender station wagon. A 200Tdi at least or a 300Tdi if you can get one.

Mercedes G-Wagen.

A Toyots Land Cruiser. Not the ones you see over here but the South African converted double cab.

I will post some links later.

[AJC]

There's an link to an index of previous expeditions here (http://www.landrovernet.com/links/browselinks.php?c=12) which may be of some value to you.

AJ

[bvudzichena]

The best piece of advice I can give you is that it is very difficult to get permission to take your vehicle to China.

The Chinese authorities have "Tour Companies" set up to take people just about anywhere in that country. They frown on "self drive" tours and if you were to get permission, you would have to take a State appointed guide along.

Their temporary import permit is more confusing than most, but not impossible - if you have a year or two to play with. Once you have that sorted, your truck will have to run on Chinese plates for the duration of it's stay in China.

You will also only have a couple of days to get the car through / out of the country, after which your UK / International driving license will no longer be valid and you will be required to take a test and get a Chinese license.

So, before even thinking of prepping a Land Rover, learn Mandarin - you will need it.

[Jode]

The best piece of advice I can give you is that it is very difficult to get permission to take your vehicle to China.

The Chinese authorities have "Tour Companies" set up to take people just about anywhere in that country. They frown on "self drive" tours and if you were to get permission, you would have to take a State appointed guide along.

Their temporary import permit is more confusing than most, but not impossible - if you have a year or two to play with. Once you have that sorted, your truck will have to run on Chinese plates for the duration of it's stay in China.

You will also only have a couple of days to get the car through / out of the country, after which your UK / International driving license will no longer be valid and you will be required to take a test and get a Chinese license.

So, before even thinking of prepping a Land Rover, learn Mandarin - you will need it.

she she for the advice....

Cheers.

[big ad]

I worked for a overland company that used to take trucks into china and tibet and it cost us on average £8500 for 6 weeks. i also have looked into doing this trip in my landy with my girlfriend but it was going to cost us £4750 for 8 weeks so we decided that when we go traveling next year we are going to give china a miss.

Best thing you can do is get a few cars/people together and try and split the cost between you.

Cheers Adam

[SilkRoute]

Thanks for all the good advice, I really do appreciate it. But really I need to know more about how to prepare a Defender to go rather than general travel stuff.

One of us has already been in and out out China few times - we know what we are doing crossing borders and getting by in a culture where we can't speak a word of the language.

Thanks though, stories about how and why you broke down when overlanding might be good.

[mmgemini]

Thanks for all the good advice, I really do appreciate it. But really I need to know more about how to prepare a Defender to go rather than general travel stuff.

One of us has already been in and out out China few times - we know what we are doing crossing borders and getting by in a culture where we can't speak a word of the language.

Thanks though, stories about how and why you broke down when overlanding might be good.

Have a look my Defender preparation

http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=340175.0

My Defender preparation for our last trip

http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=358612.0

The trip report August 2007 to February 2008

http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=364099.0

That should keep you occupied for a few days.

HTH

[Titanwinch]

I was thinking of doing the same trip next year. But you should keep in mind that your drivers liscence is not accepted in mainland china . It will take about 2 weeks to get a drivers liscence to allow you to drive in China. The first step will be to get a chinese name and then a eye test to make sure you are not colour blind. Then you can get the exam booked which you need to get 90% correct to pass. I would recomend taking a chinese speaking person to fill out your application form . The good news is the test questions you are given will be in English.
My plan is to borrow a Nissan Patrol and a Driver from a friend to do my trip.
Cheers.

[Alexis636]

Been there, done it! If you want any help, please email me! We finished our round the world trip last year and drove across China in 6 weeks in a Land Rover 101 (I know!) and it cost us £3000... if you want further details look at our webpage www.beastlyadventure.com (http://www.beastlyadventure.com)

I look forward to hearing from a fellow overlander

[big ad]

Hi

me and my girlfriend are planning to go next year, can you tell me how much roughly you payed for the guide and paperwork to get in and also how long it took to get all the paperwork and visas sorted?

Mnay thanx Adam

[Alexis636]

Hi

If you are wanting to talk to our fixers they will be able to help you out with the most up to date info. Jimmy at http://www.silkroadcn.com/ or Steven at http://www.silkroadadventure.com/. Their prices started at $15000 but as with all chinese you need to barter your prices. I think we managed to barter down to $4000 (which at the time was about £3000).

The whole process takes about 3 months as they have to apply to the government, talk to the police, get permission from different authorities, get chinese driving licenses for all drivers, determine a route for the entire journey, get chinese car plates.... the whole process is a lot of work. You will need to have a guide with you at all times and there may also be a requirement to have two cars (you will need to check with Jimmy and Steven). There maybe a way to get around this by being accompanied by another chinese car and driver but this will be an extra cost.

There are obviously some sensitive areas of China that you will have to ask about and apply for special permission if you want to travel through there.

The guides will not be able to sort out your visa for China and that will not be included in the price. You will have to negotiate for your price but they are are very helpful in a land that can be very difficult to understand.

My recommendation to you would be, if you can afford it... do it. CHina is one of the most fascinating, historical and mystical places you will ever go.

Email me if you want any help

Alexis
www.beastlyadventure.com (http://www.beastlyadventure.com)

[big ad]

wow £3000 is alot of money and you could so do so much more traveling with it.

Will have a good old long think about it and see what other plans we can come up with.

[Crockett]

Big Ad

I went to Chinese Embassy 20 years ago by invite on business, was told to take any gift they give you. Walked out with pile of lager and best wishes from them. I say don't mess with trying it alone or agency. Go to the embassy, tell them honestly your plans and route and my gut feeling is they will make you welcome; you have to understand, thay want to keep radicles out of thier country. Go to embassy in london, get vetted, say U R a crazy harmless LR driver ( don't mention crazy they will know that from vehicle:-) and dont EVER refuse their gifts.

Try it

You may be surprised

Just be open and honest!!

[bvudzichena]

...and dont EVER refuse their gifts.


20 years ago I was fresh out of varsity, working for a company called Punchline Computers. One of my jobs was nine trips a year to PC Shi ten Enterprise Co in Taipei - who we used to buy huge volumes of computers from.

I got watches, laptop computers, bottles of Johnny Black and other "inducements" to ensure that they kept our business. None of it was asked for. That's just the way they do business.

I'd like to confirm the advice Crocket has given you regarding gifts. The Chinese have a very different way of doing things to the West. Remember, When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or Beijing, of Hong Kong, or Taipei...

[Crockett]

Yeah, 20 years ago, was on private jet chinese/ japanese jet with their best companies for product launch on some island. long time ago. So much respect for our hosts, gave us an open hotel expenses card and fireworks with the launch .

The ideal host's '' as they open doors (post fantansstick Allympicks)

Never refuse a gift from our eastern friends.
Don't use our shallow words.
Accept their wishes..

C

[big ad]

Hi

I have been to china many times as i used to work for a overland company that was the first to do a commercial overland trip into china, but like you say things change and now they wont tell me who they use now and how much it is in case i am trying to do it myself!! so much for 7 years of loyal service with them. I remember back then it was about £9000 to take a truck and 20 people in for 6 weeks at a time. But i think that £3000 is about right. You have to do it through a agent as they sort out all you paper work, licences and number plates and provide you with a goverment guide and route to follow. If you get of the route and are found by the psb ( public security bureah) then the can escourt you to straight to the boarder and that as they say is that.

[Crockett]

Yes times change. For security reasons I can't say why I bin there done it in relaying finance time relay to amearica. Comms stuff'.

My ad vice iz stil the same.

Be honest, put you plan :eek:on the table,...

They may help more than hinder. Try it. and let us know how u get on..!!!


JUST BE Honest and open with them. DONT go agency. go direct Embassy London. . You won''t get in otherwise. JUST BE LR NORMAL!!!!!