Dear staff from Top China Travel, My name is Hartmut Schmidt. I am from Germany.I want to travel by motor bike from Germany to South East Asia next year.Therefore I want to ride my own bike through China.I read all about the difficulties about self-driving through China. Nevertheless I heard officials will simplify everything this year.Can you help me with this, or maybe give me some advice?Do I really neead chinese plate, a chinese driving permit and a chinese guide?I think about entering China from Kirgistan and travel via Kashgar to Xian, then Chengdu and Kunming. Finally enter the border to Laos.Length of stay in China about 3 weeks. Thank you in advance ! Regards, Hartmut SchmidtBrückwiesen 274523 Schwäbisch HallGermanyemail: hatsches@gmx.de

Dear Hartmut Schmidt,

Greetings from Sophie, Top China Travel!

Well noted that you are planning to drive to South East Asia via China next year.
Please kindly be advised it will be very complicated and costy if you want to drive into China by your own vehicle.
1. A foreign visitor who want to drive their own vehicle to China, he or she can only take the China tour through a legal domestic China travel agent. The domestic agent need to submit their company's business license, tax paying document, foreign visitors' information, vehicle information, tou rplan, letter of safety commitment, ect to deal with the foreigner and his vehicle's entry-exit procedures.

2. The self-driving foreigner must be escorted by a professional guide in China

3. The self-driving foreigner must obey the Chinese law and respect local customs and habits in China

4. The self-driving foreigner and his vehicle has to clear the entry-exit procedure and need to apply for China visa before entering into China.

5. The self-driving foreigner need to apply for a Chinese temporary plate number for his vehicle, also need to apply for temporary vehcle licese and driving license before driving in China

6. Domestic travel agency need to submit the detailed travel itinerary to Entry-Exit Administration 60 days prior to the arrival date for them to check the itinerary and offering permit.

For more information, you could check with China embassy in Germany.