China is a grand and diverse destination for motorcyclists, with roads that cross mountains, deserts and valleys, revealing a unique blend of natural landscapes and ancient traditions.

China is the most populous country in the world and the third largest by land area. It is known for its ancient civilization, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, temples, mountains and modern metropolises such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.

Climate

Extremely varied: arid in the Gobi desert, temperate in the north, subtropical in the south and alpine in Tibet.

Languages

Mandarin is the official language. There are many regional languages and dialects, such as Cantonese, Shanghainese, Hakka and Tibetan. English is spoken in tourist and business areas.

Driving

Drive on the right. The network of highways is extensive and modern, but most are gated. Payment is made in booths, usually by cash, card or electronic system.

See below for conditions for riding your own motorcycle.

Camping

Wild camping is rare and, in many places, not allowed. There are organized campsites, but the practice is not common.

Biker Zones

Iconic routes include the roads of Yunnan Province, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the landscapes of Guilin.

Special Zones

Large cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have restricted traffic zones, license plate rotation policies and pedestrian areas. Some metropolises limit the number of motorcycles in the city center.

Getting around on your own bike is possible, but

• Legally: foreign motorcyclists can only ride if a local operator takes care of all the paperwork (temporary license, Chinese registration, insurance, etc.).
• Licensed guide: it is mandatory by law that a guide accompanies the trip – either by motorcycle or in a support vehicle.
• Group: it’s not obligatory, but it’s common practice because
  – the costs of the guide, documents and customs deposits are very high for a single traveler,
  – when you form a group, these costs are divided between everyone, making it much cheaper.

In other words:

• Foreigners can travel alone on their own bikes, but always with a guide and a local company in charge.
• The most common practice is to join an international group at the border, enter together, share costs and then walk the route accompanied by the guide.
• Inside the country you can walk around freely, but the exit has to be arranged with the guide you have hired and the group has to get together again.

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