China Police Checks & Bureaucracy || Riding from Sydney to London - EP 19
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- Опубліковано 3 лют 2022
- This part of China is difficult to cross if you have your own vehicle - Not only do you need to pay for a very expensive guide, but you must be careful with what you take with you as they search everything. Watch this video to see what we had to smuggle across!
This is the story of when we tried to cross from Northern Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan, Through Western China on our Suzuki DR650 motorcycles. We decided on a 4 day tour with a Chinese tour guide - you can do longer trips, but the prices are ridiculous, so the shorter the better for us. Starting at the worlds highest border crossing, The Khunjerab Pass, we then went through Tashkurgan as well as Kashgar and finally pressed on to Kyrgyzstan. Although we didn't get too much time to actually check out the sites - We spent the majority of your time dealing with the police. You unpack your bags and lay everything out for them to inspect numerous times a day. It becomes harder and harder to do it with a smile on your face.
Although it is a frustrating process, it is still a beautiful part of the world with some incredible scenery!
Enjoy
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#motorcycle #china #travel #motovlog #karakoram #overlanding #motorcycle #Motorcycle #adventure #advmoto # #Khunjerab Pass #dr650
Live live PAKISTAN and CHINA Friendship
Love from BANGLADESH 🇧🇩🤝🇵🇰🤝🇨🇳
I just binge watched nearly all of your episodes, and WOWW!!! This channel is amazing!! What I love is your amazing production quality & editing, attention to detail and meticulous planning, combined with a positive risk-taking, adventurous attitude. Keep it up guys, you should have way more subs and views!!
Hi guys, commenting here, BUT we just binge watched all your 19 Sydney to London vids... AND IT WAS WORTH IT! It doesn't go unnoticed the effort and skill you have put into them; thanks so much. Looking forward to more. An amazing trip!
Thanks mate. comments like these really motivate us to put more time into the edits. appreciate it.
Just done exactly the same 😀 great footage, presentation and information. Well done lads 👍
@@Northandleftabit Well, I'm trying to eke them out by only watching 1 per day. This is 'hands down' the best motorcycle travel series I've watched.
As of today ( 26th Feb 2022 ) I've only got one more to watch, so - GET A MOVE ON WITH THE EDITING, AND DON'T CUT TOO MUCH OUT.
Planning a long trip from the UK, myself but, what with the RUSSIA/UKRAINE thing and COVID + other borders being closed, it's getting very frustrating.
Started watching you guys some time ago when not all the episodes were up and I just have to say this is amazing content. Deserving of way more views and subscribers. I love how you manage to tell a great story, keep us waiting for more, have your share of cinematic moments, all while keeping it real and unpretentious. A gem of a channel.
Seems like China doesn't want tourists. Strange. Great episode agains guys. Shame you weren't made to feel more welcome in China though. I imagine it is a beautiful place. I've decided I'm making this series a play list in my UA-cam library. It'll definately get watched again back to back when it's complete. I'm loving it 👌👍
Cheers Nick, yeah for now they don't make it easy and I got the impression the govt didn't want us or anyone else there. The area we were in is in a similar position as Tibet so it's all very odd and not a very nice environment for people living there.
Shame because as you said it's stunning and would be fascinating to explore and meet the real locals.
We have the next few videos out very soon and Kyrgyzstan is a real adventure for us where it all kicks off.
Feel to share the channel with friends or groups, we really struggling to get our vids to new people and God knows how the UA-cam algorithm works haha
Cheers, James
This side of the border is the China's anti-terrorist frontline. That's why China is very strict with the checking in this area.
@@user-dj3lo4iw2f China is a Dictatorship, that's the reason.
Chinese products might be cheap but cost of vacation is really high. I searched for cheapest hotel in china & it's 500 yuan 😞. I can't afford that so im planning sleeping on the streets but you can buy a bun for 1 yuan I can survive on 3bun per day. So make a good budget before entering china .
If your a tourist on a bike defo no way. But if your in a luxury car then they will treat you nice because its seen as you have a high important rank.
YOU GUYS ROCK! i could honestly watch this for hours/days... well done
What a process but at the same time what an experience! Its all part of the adventure. And that scenery around the first border gates looking pretty cool .... Another great vid, looking forward to the next
Thanks mate, even watching back I forgot how beautiful the start of China was. We were probably too tired and stressed to remember haha. PT1 Kyrgyzstan will be out this week and it's where everything starts to kick off haha.
Feel free to share our channel with mates or groups as it would really help us out. Thanks, James
Watching your videos is such an immersive experience. Appreciate the patience you guys had, but then you can only accept these bureaucrats given that you are in their country only passing by. Looking forward to the next episodes!
Thanks mate. It was annoying at the time but at least we were fortunate enough to be able to go to these countries. Kyrgyzstan vid should be out later in the week and that country in general was highly eventful for us.
Feel free to share our channel and vids with people you think would enjoy them too as that would really help us out.
Love the story so far! The videos are camera work are getting better and better! Keep them coming, inspirational stuff…..
Thanks Nigel, great to hear you're enjoying them. We hope to have our first Kyrgyzstan video out soon which should be a good one.
Feel free to share our channel and vids with people you think would enjoy them too.
Can't wait to watch this video.... waited so patiently.... thanks for making my day bit better 😀👍 and now wait for the next video
What an adventurous spirit you guys had going through all that over and over
Thankyou mate, our part 1 of Kyrgyzstan will be out this week. Thanks for your support Feel free to share our videos with friends or groups who you think might enjoy them
Another great video, even though short due to the circumstances, still with amazing scenery, well done!! 👍👍
I really enjoyed this one, looking forward to the next!!!!
Kyrgyzstan pt1 is out this week mate, get ready haha
As a Chinese who was live and ride motorbike in Australia, I have to say what you guys done just amazing! Especially this episode. Not many foreigners pass Chinese border with their motorbikes. It is even impossible with the Covid restriction now. I have already subscribed your channel, and really looking forward for the new travel video.
I feel so sorry for the constantly security check and the drone, it is China, and Tibet and Xinjiang is a sensitive and undeveloped area. The Chinese gov invest a lot there, but the west just made more conflict. In short, it is a intense area. At least, they let you in and leave safely 😂😂
Hey guys
Came across your channel recently and I am loving the content
Well done, fantastic to be able to enjoy your adventures
Looking forward to watching the trip unfold👌
Fantastic vid as always. The seems the popular DR drone hiding spot. I am very exited about the next few videos. The Stans are my big want to go place, I can't wait to see all your footage.
Thanks Dewey, the good news is the next episode is out later in the week and it's where the real adventure starts to kick off in Kyrgyzstan. If you want to do us a favour please share the video/channel with any mates or groups who you think might like it. We're really struggling to work out the UA-cam algorithm and get infront of new people.
@@Northandleftabit - I'll try to find some places to share it. Your vids deserve to be seen. Do you have a thread on ADVRider? If you don't, I would start a thread there in epic ride reports, and start posting 1 video every few days there so it keeps it at the top. I am not a huge fan of ADV anymore, but it will get eyes on your videos.
@@DeweyRides hi mate do you mean Adv rider a group on Facebook or is it a website/forum? In short I don't think we're on it so thanks for the advice haha
Absolutely incredible adventure guys
Cheers micheal I'm glad you're enjoying it. Please feel free to share our channel/vids with mates or groups you think might like them as well.
Kyrgyzstan video out this week.
Thanks, James
This was great 👍 love the drone box
Haha thanks mate, I wouldn't recommend it but at the time we felt like we had no option
As we say in Oz, "You blokes have got plenty of dash." The air box solution worked a treat. Really enjoying your trip and telling all my bikie mates to get on board.
Haha thanks Steven, I'm glad you're enjoying it and you're an absolute legend for sharing our channel with friends, we need all the help we can get.
@@Northandleftabit I've now got my 50 year old Honda CB750 back on the road after being dormant for 31 years. It's now 836cc and it flies. I am longing to return to Indonesia. I watched your vids from that part of the world - again! - last night. Just the best. I have made up my mind to return regardless of the monsoon. You get wet and guess what? You get dry again.
Looking forward to Kyrgyzstan. One of my favourite singers - Gulzada Ryskulova - is from there.
Awesome as always! :)
Cheers mate, I'm glad you're enjoying them please free to share our videos with friends or groups who you think might enjoy them. We're really struggling to get to grips with the UA-cam algorithm
I've only watched 2 minutes of the video but I already like it! Sneak a drone inside an airbox is a good idea. Guys you've got a truly brilliant ingenuity (in Russia we call it Smekalka). Subscribed!
amazing journey log, keep it up
Thanks mate, The first Kyrgyzstan video will be out this week and it's where the real adventure kicks off. Please feel free to share the channel with friends or groups you think would enjoy it, we're really struggling to get our content to new people.
North-wow!amazing sharing~ farewell!📢
Thanks mate, I'm glad you're liking the vids. Part 1 for Kyrgyzstan will be out this weekend.
Feel free to share our videos with friends or groups who you think might enjoy them
Good day to you!
I am a senior rider on HONDA Cross Cub from Japan.
I am enjoying camping,touring and upload video.
This is so nice adventure video!
Awesome!
Have a nice day my friend!
Thankyou im glad youre enjoying it. Thats amazing, i love the Honda clubs those little bikes really can do anything. Our next episode will be out in a few hours.
IT WAS 4.99K Subscriber on your channel b4 me. I'm the 5000 subscriber of your channel I think 😁😁😁 :). enjoyed your previous 2 videos. Previous and upcoming videos on my watch list 👌👍
Yes you were mate haha. Thankyou.
I'm really happy you're enjoying them, we hope to have the next episode out soon
What an experience you had! Crazy costs… we are on the other side of the ocean right now but it’s one of our dream being able one day to wander around China, even if seems like they don’t want people doing that, so sad! Maybe in the future something will change hopefully, we just can imagine how many amazing places are waiting to be explored in that land… great video tho! And happy about your drone being safe in your pockets!
Hi guys, yeah it's sad as such an incredible country and landscape with so much to explore. Let's hope one day it's more open to tourists.
Kyrgyzstan videos should be out soon and that's a very cool country you should check out if you can.
China is actually wide open to tourists. Only coming on land from a highly unstable region gives them an ick, understandably.
The only thing that's changed since I was there 15 years ago, is it has become harder and more strict :-))))) and we thought we were hard done by! We couldn't get out because we had given our guides the slip in Ürümqi. Cost us $1500 to get out.
Oh wow that sounds like a bloody nightmare but I'm glad you got through. I don't regret going through China but I'm I'm no rush to do it again haha
And how much you pay the guide , and how you find him / them ?
How did you hide the footage of you smuggling the drone? Would have been a shame to have them find it in that checkpoint where they look at your cameras, laptop and files. Super interesting 🥳😎
They must have hidden the memory cards someplace they knew they wouldn't search. 💩🤭
Hahah no it wasn't quite like that. We hid the files deep on our harddrive/computer. We had so much stuff in our luggage we would have been very unlucky for them to find it all. We found there were LOTS of checks but only one was in great detail. Majority were just annoying as they take everything out and just stare at it then walk off, it was a bloody nightmare especially when they unpack your tent etc roll it open on the floor and walk off then shout at you for having your items and bike in the way haha.
Did a trip in 2017 from UK to Thailand. We entered China via Kashgar and it took three days before they released the bikes. Approx three weeks through China exiting into Laos. A brilliant trip but many frustrations along the way.
Hi Les, yeahbits a bloody nightmare but based on our time limit for the trip and the fact we really wanted to see the Stan's we had to bite the bullet.
Eitherway we don't regret our decision and it was an experience, I'm glad you enjoyed it too.
The first Kyrgyzstan video will be out this week so feel free to subscribe and share our channel with friends and groups as that would really help us
Hi Les... congrats , you have been traveling in China . From Kashgar to Laos, which route did you choose ? Southern China (along near Tibetan area) or North side of China? Could you tell what difficulties you got when passing China? And is it possible for foreigners to ride near Tibetan areas, as it is sure we are not allowed entering Tibetan by our own motorcycle, right ?
@@satriopinangit1895 Not easy to enter China. Had visa before we arrived, 8 motorbikes, but had to wait I think 3 days before bikes were allowed to continue. We had to have a Chinese guide also. Try and contact Ride China. Very good guide .
@@lesxdp Thanks for replaying. Yes , it is not easy . But someday I want to go there. If you have any other information, or things to care and prepare about entering China , please let me and others know it..
Nice to see someone cross Khunjrab pass
Watched all your videos keep it up
Thanks mate, if you liked them so far I'm confident you will enjoy the next few countries as it's where the adventure really kicks off. Please feel free to share our channel/vids with mates or groups you think might like them as well as we're struggling to get I out to new people.
Kyrgyzstan video out this week.
Thanks, James
such a good video quality
Just found this video. Sorry for the bad experience, guys. It’s a tense region with extraordinary beautiful landscapes. Next time try to enter this area from east China, it’ll be much better.
Nice video work 👍👍
Thanks mate glad you're enjoying the vids, our next episode should be out soon.
Fantastic episode!
In every country the people are great, the government is the problem, and the people who work for the government are the worst because they live in fear of what their government will do to them, if they do anything helpful to a foreigner, or a local. And usually the type of person that works for the government craves power and the ability to say "NO" to everyone, and the ability to ruin other people's day. A friendly and helpful government employee is rare and is a treasure to find.
Yeah it's quite sad really, I have been to China before and had a great time. Unfortunately in the part we were in it's heavily restricted, I'm sure the locals were nice but we were not really able to meet many
Me waiting for this
Thanks mate. Next one out this week :)
It’s all part of the trip! And a China stamp is a China stamp....😜
Haha so true, we lost the footage but we did get given a temporary Chinese driving licence which was quite cool
Had the same 2 hour wait at the border between Russia and Mongolia in 2015 - actually caught between the two in no-mans land. Time for a sleep, lunch and relax in the shade of the border post building 😀
Haha yeah you get used to it don't you. In other counties along the trip we always have our chairs and cooker handy. The guards always laughed their heads off watching us set up and enjoy a meal, to be gain if they shut for a 1 hour lunch we may as well too haha
Another great video Jay and James. I bet you were shitting yourselves everytime the bikes were x-rayed. But good work for getting the drone through China 🇨🇳. Looking forward to the next installment 😁
Yeah mate it was less than ideall and probably a little stupid but at the time leaving the drone behind just wasn't an option.
Next episode is nearly done and will be out later in the week
I love to watch international ride's ❤️🇮🇳
Thanks mate I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Feel free to share our videos with friends or groups who you think might enjoy them
I love your videos. I will be leaving Europe in March in order to tour east. Maybe, we run into each other in Turkey. Best of travels to you.
Hi mate, we have actually finished the trip and are catching up on editing. You will have an incredible time, let me known you have any questions about anything
Wow... that was harrowing!
Pity you couldn't have gone a different route and totally miss out China. I cannot say what I think of China. Well done to you both for keeping cool.
We looked into every option. A lot of people go into Iran from Pakistan and skip China alltogether. But we couldnt go that way. At the time there was a ban on entering Iran with a motorcycle above 250cc (ours are 650) and we also really wanted to go to Kyrgystan, so unfortunately this crossing through China was our only option
Keep it going folks!! :)
Cheers mate, next video will be out before the weekend
Great video guys and I am sooo envious of your epic trip (well apart from all the waiting around 😂). I wonder if China charges this much to actually put people off going through their country 🤔. Ride safe 👍🇬🇧
Thanks Darren. Yeah the waiting around sucked but I suppose it's all part of it. I know the area we went through is in a similar situation to Tibet so they definitely don't want people going in and exploring. Put it this way to buy petrol you have to have a letter from the police....
If you liked them so far I'm confident you will enjoy the next few countries as it's where the adventure really kicks off. Please feel free to share our channel/vids with mates or groups you think might like them as well as we're struggling to get I out to new people.
Kyrgyzstan video out this week.
Thanks, James
@@Northandleftabit I love your experience more and more. Because of the refueling problem in Xinjiang. It is very popular for Chinese off-road vehicles to install auxiliary fuel tanks, and there is a motorcycle named "DA HAI DAO" (a place in Xinjiang). It copies the appearance of the Honda Africa Twin. It has a 39L fuel tank.
What a pain in the arse for you guys getting through that small part of China. Glad you sneaked the drone through-to me that's giving China the big f**k Y*u! Look forward to your upcoming videos, you guys have had quite a trip.
Thankyou mate, to be honest in hindsight it probably wasn't a good idea but leaving the drone also w a set an option for us. Next videos for Kyrgyzstan should be out later in the week. Feel free to share our channel with friends or groups who you think might like it.
Cheers James
Respect folks 🤙🤙🤙
Thanks mate,
Love your video big fan from Pakistan 😍😘
Glad to see this part of journey which is unusual coz Chinese authorities force tourists to delete and footage from border to kashgar.
Yeah we were lucky but it was quite stressful at the time. We did make sure not to film anything we knew was against the rules sush as military etc
Seems super inviting haha.
This border is the 8th wonder of the world 🌎 how amazing is that
third option would be to mail it home before entering.
Yeah but the issue is we wouldn't have it for the second half of our trip and we were coming up to the best places.
We looked into shipping it to somewhere else we might be in a future country but that became very complicated with vague timing.
haha you guys are reckless. Nice video!!!
Haha well we didn't feel so at the time, in hindsight we did take some minor risks
Hi guys What date 📅 u crossed into China 🇨🇳 ?
It was around Juna and bloody freezing if you couldn't tell haha
Finally the china episode! Well, I expected less footage tbh. So, u did a good job 😀 Still must be totally fucked up to pay that much for this little time of stay. Hope Kirgistan is a good reward! Cheers and safe ride!
Thanks mate, sorry you had to wait so long ;). Yeah it was a messed up scenario but the area is in a similar situation to Tibet and clearly they don't want tourist being there which us sad.
Kyrgyzstan video will be out this week and it's where the real adventure kicks off for us.
Please feel free to share our channel/vids with mates or groups you think might like them as well as we're struggling to get it out to new people
Thanks, James
@@Northandleftabit Hey James, sure i will share your stuff! 🤙🏻
It's fantastic to watch your videos while being caught in the "system". As a motorcycle traveller myself i wanna go to asia one day as well. You guys catch the momentum of being there so well i can imagine how wonderful your experience is. I am a bit sad u missed out Nepal though.. wich is on my list.
But for now.. back to kyrgyzstan - i am excited to see new footage!!
By the way i couldn't get a Schuberth E1 anymore anywhere, so i went for a Nexx Vilijord in white. Pretty much similar.. Think it's worth the money. Maybe u have heard of it.
Cheers and safe ride!
Nils
@@nils_on_wheels yeah I have thats meant to be a cracking helmet, to be fair the E1 is really old now so not surprised you couldn't find it.
Funny you say that as I have been to Nepal twice and both times hired and old Royal Enfield to explore, I wouldn't say I did "adventure riding" but it was still amazing amazing experience
@@Northandleftabit so maybe it will be your next model if the schuberth won't survive the last 10.000 km of rough riding ^^ Just heard that the visor of the the e5 is bit shitty cause it is wobbling on higher speed. But.. u guys mostly ride average so who cares..
Jealous on you for Nepal! I hope i will reach it with my own bike one day! It needs some nuts to do that..haha
@@nils_on_wheels haha I'm happy to say we got much quicker towards the end. Neither of us had really ridden offroad before we left haha
Yeah Nepal is awesome the whole region is amazing
haha thats crazy.... yeah DJI made in china... DeweyRides sent me. Smuggling drones 😎🤙🏻
Yeah it wasn't our best idea in hindsight but luckily we got away with it :)
Regarding your inability to bring drones to the border, it is actually to prevent malicious individuals. In fact, the pressure resistance is very high. After all, many are confidential. Even if we travel to the border, we still need to register
Yeah it's fairly complicated situation over there
I am planning a trip for 2024. Bizarre how China is so bureaucratic. I was interested to cross into Yunnan but decide on Myanmar instead and your video confirms that. I can’t be bothered with the stress.
Hi Victoria, it's a little sad as there's so much to explore we just didn't have the chance or money to do so in China. Who knows it could change by 2024. Very cool you're planning a trip it will be amazing
Actually Yunnan is tourist friendly. I would recommend you to avoid Tibet and Xinjiang to save money and troubles.
@@Northandleftabit请问你这是去年拍的视频吗？去年因为疫情中国不接待外国游客，商务人员进入中国都要隔离观察……今年开始就可以了！建议你去一个国家前做好调查，把原因写出来，具体什么原因不让你进入中国，中国现在很多人在新疆，西藏骑行。但如果你是加拿大，英国，美国，澳大利亚，德国人想进去新疆或西藏只能走旅行团。因为你们政府和媒体的各种造谣，抹黑中国政策，当地人非常不喜欢这些国家的人，尤其是政府官员，但也有这些国家的人证明自己和政府没关系，和各种ngo组织没关系，可以自己去旅游。这些国家以意识形态发展关系，可中国不希望，中国只想让当地人，中国人过幸福生活，嘴巴和脑袋里的意识形态工作是吃饱饭，有幸福生活再谈的问题……西方政客的虚伪，只说不做的态度中国人非常不喜欢，因为中国人崇尚实干兴邦……所以你有时间可以去中国使馆签证试试……
Good for you and good for China.
Dammed, you guys surely love waiting for permits, some years back, we crossed into Mexico from the US, the whole process took us about an hour with a fully loaded truck.
Damn this must have been frustrating. Doing the same process again and again and again. Loved the way you guys kept your cool. Btw how was the border crossing and custom experience in India and Pakistan? As frustrating and non sensical like china’s?
Your vlog is by far the best I've seen. So I actually wanna support this, but you don't have a patreon. So where can I leave a tip?
Hi Mads, comments like yours are what really inspire us to keep going with our editing. You're a legend for offering us a tip but no need, if you do want to help us though we would really appreciate it if you could share out channel with friends or groups you think would enjoy it. We're failing at working out the UA-cam algorithm and are struggling to get in front of new people.
Thanks again mate, the first Kyrgyzstan video will be out this week and that's when things really kick off haha
good video, Xinjiang is the biggest province in China , it also has very beautiful views , multiple nationality cultures and very good fundation facilities, maybe China is not liberty enough , but it's very safe and nice for foreign tourists. Just little bit curious, why you paid so much on guide? you can buy a sim card in Customs port in your mobile for nevigation , very cheaper. accommodation and food are also cheap.
Thanks guys.Another great episode. What a shame China is so restrictive, would have loved to have seen more as I’m sure you would of too. Well done on your successful smuggling operation. Gutsy! Can’t wait for the next episode. Hey I have a question. As I’ve told you before I’m planning on a similar trip to yours ( as long as it becomes possible again…) starting from Darwin around June and originally I was planning on taking my RE Himalayan but from watching your travels I’m wondering if I may be better taking my little Honda CT 125. Do you think I’m mad?!! Would really love the advice of people who actually know what they’re talking about rather than all the ‘arm chair’ experts…
Hi mate, yeah China wasn't our favourite country. It looked beautiful and I know would have been fascinating but unfortunately they wouldn't let us see anything.
Well I wouldn't say we're experts haha. Bikes always have there compromises and both would be better and worse than the other in different circumstances. I think either bike would do the job perfectly, I say go with the bike you love, makes you happy/excited and the one you feel the most comfortable on. Hopefully that helps a little.
@@Northandleftabit Great advice! Thanks. I think you are actually officially now ‘experts’! Yeah everything is always a matter of compromise! I think you’re advice is spot on. I’ve fallen in love with my little ct. I love riding it and feel very comfortable/confident on it in any situation. I think you just sealed the deal!!
Cheers Guys and congratulations again on such a great channel - I’ve actually found I have stopped watching the others I’d been following - it wasn’t a conscious decision but you’ve obviously set the bar so high I just don’t seem to be interested in following them any more!!
Thats great mate although have you watch Nathan the postman's UA-cam channel? It's a little old now but he literally rode a CT125 from Sydney to London, it should be a really good insight for you.
@@Northandleftabit Wow! No I haven’t but I definitely will. Don’t know how I’ve missed that. Sounds perfect! Thanks again! Do you guys have any more trips/adventures planned?
@@woodyfromtas8866 yeah check them out. He loves his ct125 and has done a few trips on it
No major trips planned at the moment, we're both back in Sydney so will do some around here for now
Obvious question really , but Pakistani border to Tajikistan is only a short hop and therefore probably considerably cheaper .Did you consider this or is this not possible ? Excellent vids by the way . Both entertaining and informative for someone with similar plans . Like me .
Pakistan doesn't share a border with Tajikistan you are right, it is only a short hop across Afghanistan, but you are not allowed to enter Afghanistan with your own vehicle so unfortunately it wasn't an option for us.
Were you able to go over the pass on your original OEM jets and if not, what did you change them to?
Bummer dudes. Seemed like all the stops sucked the fun out of it. Bring on Kyrgyzstan!
Yeah Dave, all good needs must.
Kyrgyzstan pt1 should be out this week and it starts to kick off
Hey guys! Discovered your channel yesterday, awesome stuff! 😀 We're currently in Iran, going to Pakistan in about 3 weeks. We're not going into China (already been there for a long time and we don't like going through all of this bureaucratic nonsense), but we do want to go to the border crossing at the Khunjerab Pass. When were you there? We'll be there in early/mid October, we're not sure if it will still be doable/smart to do with motorcycles.
Hi Sander ... hope you will succeed do your plan , and please tell how difficult to go to China via Kunjerab border. I also very want to do that by motorcycle.
@@satriopinangit1895 3 Weeks ago we made it to Khunjerab Pass! 1 Week later it was completely covered in ice and snow so we had the right timing. Hunza and Khunjerab are stunning so definitely go there if you can. But yeah actually going into China via that border requires a lot of paperwork, money and hassle so we didn't do that. Currently in Indian Himalayas. Good luck! :)
@@sanderg.3561 congrats again, you reach Kunjerab pass. Enjoy the trip. I really want to get there .. but not when it is snowy.. haha ..
@@satriopinangit1895 No don't go there now. I'd advise from April to October, but check weather conditions before you go. From June to September it should be good for 99% sure. Good luck!
@@sanderg.3561 OK ... thanks for your advice . So summer is the best time. Will keep it in my mind.. I don't want go there and then struggle with the cold ...
Real shame you didn't get to experience hospitality in China. Glad you made it through no worries. Guess you won't be going back after this is on UA-cam?
Wow, this is like my idea of hell!! I mean I'm all for the endless days solo riding but to be stopped every dozen of KMs for the same old uploading, unpacking nonsense? I would've wanted to turn back around out the country for sure! And to spend that money?! Bravo boys, loving the series (fell off watching for a few months but gunna see how the end now)
thank you for making such an amazing helpful video and definately I will try my best to avoid China.
Love your videos man!
Been following you when you were in iran going to mecca
And yes China is the worse country for motorbike travelers, you need special guides who are very expensive, for motorbikes its impossible to ride in China even though China have really breath-taking scenery and places to visit its so unfortunate.
Lmao
Oh man this was expensive 😅
Is the trip already over and you're just releasing all the videos now? Or do you edit on the road.
Hi mate, thanks for the comment. The trip has actually finished just before covid went crazy. We edited the first few videos on the road but it became too hard due to camping, lack of power, internet and time in general.
@@Northandleftabit ohh I see, yes covid would have been my next question hqhaha 😅 I also do moto trips with camping etc.. not this big ones yest but I will in time... qnd thought that it would be almost impossible to do qll that editing on the road..
Glad you managed to finish it before the shit hit the fan!
What a shame, the scenery looks wonderful. Oh well. I guess in a couple of centuries China might welcome tourists! TY :)
Yeah not much we could do about it but at least we were able to get through and as you said hopefully one day in the future we can all travel more freely:)
You already can! I traveled through China on my own for 3 months in 2016. The problem is mainly Western-China (Tibet and Xinjiang); they're very strict there. They don't want any peeping toms there and I don't think that's because it's all fun and games. 😬
@@sanderg.3561 hi brother.. did you travel in China by motorcycle too? How was that ? Did you go to Tibet ?
@@satriopinangit1895 I was just backpacking through China, without motorcycle. Traveled by train/bus/hitchhiking. Tibet is pretty much off-limits unless you can get a special permit. However there are multiple definitions of Tibet; you can go to West Sichuan which is actually very similar to Tibet.
@@sanderg.3561 thanks for your infos, brother... I hope someday will travel to western China ...
Pakistan is very very economical. People dont charge tourist/Foreigner rates mostly
Yeah we loved Pakistan so much, it's a beautiful place for scenery and people. Feel free to share our videos with any friends or groups you think would also enjoy them
@@Northandleftabit next time do a long trip
@@ziaahmad3429 yeah we had 9months to get from Sydney to London. It sounds like a long time but we were very rushed
You could allways mail the drone to an address in the next country, just an idea.
Posting it was definitely an option, and one we considered. Although we weren't too sure on the reliability of the postal service in this part of the world. We would also probably have had to mail it to Bishkek, which would mean we wouldnt have had it for the majority of our time in Kyrgyzstan. And lastly... if it took longer than expected, we would have had to wait for it to arrive and unfortunately time was not a luxury we had on this trip.
All those cameras on poles in the middle of nowhere. Man i have LESS than no desire to go through there.
so if crossing China is such a hassle with the frequent searches, why not go through Tajikistan to get to Kirgistan. However i couldn't see a road going east in T that linked up with the road from Kasgar. Is that the problem?
Edit - i went back to your map and saw that Pakistan and Tajikistan are not contiguous. There's a country coloured blue which i presume is afghanistan between these two. No chance of a visa for there i suppose?
Hi David... I also waiting them answer your question...
I am sad to see this was so difficult, riding the silk road has been a long time dream of mine. Unless a lot changes I doubt this will ever become a reality.
A drastic shift from the Pakistani hospitality. 😂
Yeah it's true although it was really all just the government and police I'm sure the locals would have been lovely if we were around to mix with them
What is the toilet situation like during that four days on the road?
Mostly squat toilets and some western ones. I don't remember it being a huge issue to be honest
As Chinese. I can tell that they doesn't really like tourists with motor vehicles. Because of smuggling cars, in and out. Chinese cars have to pay a rent too to get out. The rent will return of it come back. It's been so long I find this video.
Great video about how to end up in prison... :D
Haha, we really should have been more worried. They looked so dodgy in those silver packets, thankgod we got through
@@Northandleftabit glad that everything went better than expected! Keep up the good content :)
now every drug dealer is buying dr650
Haha you raise some good points. It looked extremely dodgy haha
Please Visit Bangladesh also
why not shipping the drone to a destination youre getting to after riding trough china or shipping it straight home?
Trying to find a semi reliable shipping destination in Kyrgyzstan whilst shipping from a small village in the Pakistani mountains was proving impossible. We couldn't afford to wait around for 1 month for it to maybe arrive, I'd love to have but we didn't have unlimited time and money so decided to take the risk. It wasn't a great idea but at the time it's what we went with
Wow, you guys are brave! Maybe a bit crazy. Those Chinese don't fuck around
I'm curious that you need ATA documents to travel to China by motorcycle.
suzuki drone box 🤣😍 With this ridiculous, boring and expensive situation, was it much better to go to Iran from Pakistan and choose the path of Turkmenistan or other countries? Iran is a very large, beautiful and safe country ...
Unfortunately at the time you could only take bikes into Iran which were under 250cc (ours are 650cc) so we didn't have much of an option. Yeah the drone box did well, I wouldn't recommend it however it worked for us
@@Northandleftabit I follow you from the beautiful country of Iran. This law is for motorcycles with a volume of more than 250 for Iranians themselves, but this law has been lifted for tourists for about two years, and many motorcyclists have visited Iran with high-volume motorcycles. .. Be sure that you will not see a country with the hospitality and warmth of the Iranian people ... Iran is extremely safe and beautiful and the people are very hospitable ... Be sure you have no problem entering, come and enjoy this country four beautiful seasons
This Border controls are insane :O
How did you get your visa during this covid time?
Hi mate this trip was just before covid really kicked off, catching up on editing now
😂😂😂 🤣🤣🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳👍👍👍
easy，our into america is also same subject to cumbersome scrutiny，because you have western passport，you don't feel censorship between allies when you travel，we to the pakistan, russia, Iran and north Korea is same don't feel by censorship，I'm going to seattle attend the exhibition in 2018，a huawei mobile wifi was confiscated by US customs，And they spent half hour checking my phone，When I got it, including wechat,4 apps were unusable，until left the america recovery。now is the most intense period of confrontation between the east and west，this strict situation will continue for at least 10 years.
i honestly thought they were going to fly their drone around the border checkpoint.
That would beva brave options, If we didnt have to have a chinese guide with us we probably would have considered it
You learn very quickly as you enter China that they don't give s--t about good PR. We were stuck in Tashkurgen for 2 nights and totally missed our free day in Kashgar. Not happy! Our crossing the same boarder into China a year earlier in 17 was the first time that we became aware of the Uyghur issue. I often wonder what become of the person who told us. I fear the worse.
Pakistanis suffer from colonial overhang ,so they will go an extra mile to make white westerners happy. China doesn't suffer from such complexes.
@@jubnaa hmm interesting thoughts. Not at all my experience, having travelled through the very same country's as featured on these videos, but one year earlier. My take on the hospitality offered to us as we went through this part of the world. Is that it is simply a cultural norm to offer hospitality and kindness to strangers. Pakistan was great, Iran was phenomenal. Speaking candidly to locals many times, locals gave many different summations of the previous colonial overlords. But not all Muslim country's that we went through had recent western colonial masters. But the hospitality was equally humbling. Just my experienced having travelled that part of the world. I'd be interested to know if you have similar first hand experience and passed through these country's, or is it just supposition on your behalf?
@@jubnaa or maybe they’re just nice people….
Yeah it's a very tricky one. I have been to China before and we met many lovely people but the government just don't really want people travelling in the Rea's we were. I don't regret going through as it meant we could get to Kyrgyzstan however it wasn't our favourite few days thats for sure
Hi, I'm not thats the case. From personal experience I think people in Pakistan were just happy to see tourists and travellers. I have never experienced such kindness in my life.
I heard there is a saying in their religion along the lines of "travellers are a gift from God and should be looked after" its a beautiful way to think and I hope to welcome tourists to my country in a similar way when I have chance
Oh dear.... sorry to read so many negative comments on China from those below. Yeah China has some strict rules in place and yeah they may not be well understood from a western perspective - but please dont confuse the Government with the People (in any country). I have travelled China extensively since '94 (including Xinjiang province) and have lived in HK and worked in China. I have travelled to over 100+ countries and China remains one of my favourite travel destinations - i have found the people (incl the authorities) friendly / helpful and the country has so much natural amazing diversity.... so if you are one of the folks slagging of China and you havent been - put it on your travel list - it may very well pleasantly surprise you!!
It's very true. I have spent a few months in China before backpacking and loved the experience and people I met, it's an extremely interesting country from history, different culture and traditions to natural wonders.
Saying that I felt bad for the people in the area I was in but that doesn't reflect all of China and you shouldn't judge a country by its government alone. 99.9% of people in the world are lovely and mean well.
@@Northandleftabit Agree - being open to varying perspectives is very important when travelling. I believe you guys went thru Turkmenistan (which i did also) and really look forward to that video.
I went through China from Laos to Gyrgyzstan in 2019, customs took about 7 hours with xray but no problems with my drone at all. They did check all our pictures and scanned our mobile phones with a machine MADE IN USA? What they were scanned for we have no idea.
Hi Andrew, that's awesome you went all the way from Laos. Did you need a guide? It must have cost you a fortune haha.
With the drone we had heard stories of some getting through and some getting it detroyed so we decided to try hide it just incase. The area we went through is particularly tense at the moment (similar to Tibet) so maybe that's why it can be more strict.
Oh and i didn't find out till much later but they installed a bloody app on my phone, God knows what it didn't but guessing tracking me and my messages, it's messed up
Why not go through Iran? As an American, would there be any issues? Thanks
Brother is it possible for an Indian Bike rider allowed to cross border india to china any issues. Please reply me Sir
Hi mate, I'm afraid I don't know the rules for Indian riders. I think your first issue could be entering Pakistan as I know there is some tension between your countries. I'd look at each countries websites as a good starting point.
@@Northandleftabit Yes you're rit from Ind to Pak not possible. But we have another border cross option Butan to China. Upto Butan we don't have any issues i know.
Thats why i asking India and China, i don't know. China Country accept Indians or not. Can you check with anyone from there itself. If you're in China now. If possible it will hreat help for me any friends or travel tourism companies. Any issues border cross for Indians in China
@@shan.bikeriders2002 sorry we're no longer in China this video is from a few years back. I'm sure the Chinese embassy has a website which could help you.
Sorry I can't do more
@@Northandleftabit ok Bro thanks
Last 1 year back some Indians gone China people border cross all other check post very nice people i saw some Indians Vlog video good people there. But now situations I don't know that's why i ask you.
Anyway thanks and nice to meet you guys👍🏻
lol for a moment it looked like the SS bolt when you started to show the sleeve and I was heartbroken :D I was like awww these guys seem super nice but they are Nazis... thankfully it was Kiss :D
what about Pakistan? did Pakistan law allowed bringing drone from outside Pakistan?
Good by bro pakistan
Thanks mate we loved Pakistan it's an incredible country. Feel free to share our videos with friends or groups who you think might enjoy them