China on bike

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China on bike
May 5, 2011 11:03
WIEWIOR Points: Join Date: May 5, 2011 Status: offline	Greetings Soon I'll be flying to China and plan to spend there a month on traveling with my companion. I've read plenty of general info about traveling to China, lately this scary topic: https://community.travelchinaguide.com/forum2.asp?i=36850 The quirk - my main idea is traveling by bike. The minimum plan is 1000km, so veeery easy riding, as to give us plenty of timeroom on exploring, meeting with nice people (that I hope on meeting :) ). We'd mostly like to experience the China's traditional lifestyle, so no main attractions (apart of Great Wall :P), but rather countryside. As this is what I like the most in all countries. So now to the point : we're not bringing our bikes, only want to buy after arrival some cheap ones - yet not crappy ! They need to only withstand 1000-2500km of travel. Also we'll need to buy back and front racks for them (panniers we'll be bringing with us). Thing is, I don't have any idea how much It'll all cost in Beijing, yet have to plan budget. As we're not taking them back with us only give/sell/leave them before leaving China, the best would be of course the least expensive possible :) Really nothing fancy, but rear derailleur is necessary, since we will for sure pass through some mountainous regions. So question 1) How much should i prepare for such one bike ? (Will say ~1300RMB be sufficient ?) Mostly we'll camp wild under a tent, sometimes maybe some good souls will give us shelter, very rarely in hostels (apart first few days for accommodation in Beijing). So question 2) Any special warnings, tips for such wild camping in China ? And last thing - no master plan, just from Beijing we'd like to go to Great Wall, ride with it for a while, and then... hmm, improvise. I'd like to travel a bit through Inner Mongolia, then maybe jump to a train, mayby just ride ahead until time comes to get back... So question 3) Can I take bikes on a train ? ...and question 4) from Beijing to Great Wall I see on Google Maps a mountainous region - which direction should we take best for a bicycle ride to GW ? (my primary rule: main roads=bad, side roads= good ;) ) and question 4b) how high are these mountains ? Also if anyone has any experience in bicycle traveling through China, or any ideas where to go from Inner Mongolia, please, go ahead :) Thanks in advance for any suggestions ! Best regards.
WIEWIOR Points: Join Date: May 5, 2011 Status: offline	Last edited by WIEWIOR: May 5, 2011 11:05

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