Motorcycle
15-Day Yunnan, Guizhou & Zhangjiajie Motorcycle Expedition
Mohan · Xishuangbanna · Yuanyang · Xingyi · Xijiang Miao Village · Fenghuang · Wulingyuan · Zhangjiajie · Furong Town · Aizhai · Tongren · Huangguoshu · Qinglong · Qujing · Mojiang · Mohan
- Mohanstart · border
- Jinghongday 1
- Yuanyang Rice Terracesday 2
- Xingyiday 3
- Xijiang Miao Villageday 4
- Fenghuang Ancient Townday 5
- Wulingyuanday 6
- Zhangjiajie Citydays 7–8
- Tongrenday 9
- Huangguoshudays 10–11
- Qujingday 12
- Mojiangday 13
- Mengladay 14tour ends day 15
Route map
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Tour overview
This cross-border motorcycle journey explores a completely different side of China, combining the diverse cultures and landscapes of Yunnan, Guizhou and western Hunan.
Enter China with your own motorcycle through the Mohan–Boten international border crossing from Laos and begin the adventure in tropical Xishuangbanna.
Ride north towards the spectacular Yuanyang Rice Terraces before crossing into Guizhou, where dramatic karst mountains and minority cultures dominate the landscape.
Continue through the famous Xijiang Miao Village and historic Fenghuang Ancient Town before reaching Zhangjiajie, home to some of China's most extraordinary sandstone mountains.
After exploring Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain, the journey continues through the scenic roads of western Hunan via Furong Town and the Aizhai region towards Tongren.
The return journey adds another major highlight: Huangguoshu, one of China's most impressive waterfall regions.
From Huangguoshu, follow historic mountain roads past Qinglong and the famous 24-Zig Road before returning to Yunnan through Qujing and Mojiang.
The final stages cross Pu'er tea country and tropical Xishuangbanna before returning to Mohan to complete the motorcycle exit formalities.
Day by day
1Mohan Border → Jinghong
Complete immigration, customs, temporary motorcycle entry, vehicle inspection, temporary registration, driving documentation and insurance procedures at the Mohan–Boten border. Once completed, enter China and ride through tropical Xishuangbanna to Jinghong.
2Jinghong → Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Ride north from tropical Xishuangbanna through the mountains of southern Yunnan towards the Honghe region. Arrive near the Yuanyang Rice Terraces in the afternoon and stay close to the main terrace viewpoints.
3Yuanyang → Xingyi
Leave the rice terraces and continue northeast through southeastern Yunnan towards Guizhou. The landscape gradually changes from mountain terraces and river valleys to the dramatic karst formations around Xingyi.
4Xingyi → Xijiang Miao Village
Cross the mountainous landscapes of Guizhou towards the ethnic minority regions of Qiandongnan. Arrive at Xijiang Thousand-Household Miao Village in the evening and enjoy its spectacular wooden architecture and night views.
5Xijiang Miao Village → Fenghuang Ancient Town
Spend some time exploring the Miao village before riding east towards western Hunan. Arrive in Fenghuang Ancient Town in the afternoon and enjoy an evening walking beside the Tuojiang River among traditional stilt houses and historic streets.
6Fenghuang → Wulingyuan
Enjoy a relaxed riding day from Fenghuang towards the Zhangjiajie region. Arrive in Wulingyuan around midday or in the afternoon, with time to begin exploring this extraordinary mountain landscape.
7Wulingyuan Exploration → Zhangjiajie City
Spend most of the day exploring the Wulingyuan scenic region, famous for thousands of sandstone pillars, deep valleys and dense forests. In the late afternoon, ride the short distance to Zhangjiajie City.
8Zhangjiajie – Tianmen Mountain Day
Enjoy a full sightseeing and recovery day in Zhangjiajie. Tianmen Mountain is the main focus, with access subject to local cable-car, shuttle and visitor-management arrangements.
9Zhangjiajie → Furong Town → Aizhai → Tongren
Turn the return journey into one of the most enjoyable road days of the tour. Ride through western Hunan via Furong Town, stop for lunch and sightseeing, then continue across scenic mountain roads through the Aizhai region before entering Guizhou and reaching Tongren.
10Tongren → Huangguoshu
Ride west across Guizhou through rolling karst mountains, valleys and rural landscapes. This is mainly a long-distance riding day, arriving near Huangguoshu in the evening to prepare for the following day's sightseeing.
11Huangguoshu Waterfall – Exploration Day
Spend a full day exploring the Huangguoshu waterfall region. Depending on local arrangements, visit Doupotang Waterfall, Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxingqiao, using the scenic area's internal transport system where required.
12Huangguoshu → Qinglong 24-Zig Road → Qujing
Continue west towards Yunnan, stopping in the Qinglong area to view the famous historic 24-Zig Road. After sightseeing and photography, continue through mountain roads into Yunnan and arrive in Qujing.
13Qujing → Mojiang
Ride south across the Yunnan Plateau through mountain country and river valleys. Temperatures gradually become warmer as the route approaches southern Yunnan, arriving in Mojiang in the afternoon or evening.
14Mojiang → Pu'er → Mengla
Continue south through Yunnan's famous tea-growing country. Pass through Pu'er and increasingly tropical landscapes before returning to Xishuangbanna and reaching Mengla for the final night in China.
15Mengla → Mohan Border – Exit China
Ride the final short stage to Mohan. Complete the required motorcycle temporary-entry cancellation, customs exit procedures and immigration formalities before crossing the Mohan–Boten border and completing the expedition.
Important tour information
- Cross-Border Motorcycle Entry: This itinerary is designed for riders temporarily bringing their own foreign-registered motorcycles into China. Rider and motorcycle documentation must be reviewed before arrival.
- Mohan Border Formalities: Entry procedures may include immigration, temporary customs importation, vehicle inspection, temporary Chinese registration and permit, compulsory motor insurance and temporary Chinese driving documentation.
- Long Riding Days: Days 2, 3, 4 and 10 involve substantial riding distances and require good motorcycle experience, physical endurance and time management.
- Motorcycle Road Restrictions: Expressway access for motorcycles varies by region. The final route will use national, provincial and local roads permitted for motorcycles under the regulations in force at the time of travel.
- Yuanyang Rice Terraces: The appearance of the terraces varies significantly with the season. Winter and spring generally offer flooded reflective terraces and frequent cloud scenery.
- Historic Towns & Villages: Vehicle access may be restricted inside Xijiang Miao Village and Fenghuang Ancient Town. Motorcycles will be parked in designated areas when required.
- Zhangjiajie Scenic Areas: Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain operate their own internal visitor transport systems. Motorcycles cannot be used throughout the scenic areas.
- Aizhai Historic Road: Access to sections of the historic mountain road may change. The itinerary focuses on scenic riding, viewpoints and photography rather than guaranteeing full motorcycle access to the old road.
- Huangguoshu Scenic Area: The major waterfall sites are connected by designated scenic transportation, which may be mandatory.
- Qinglong 24-Zig Road: The historic road is primarily included as a cultural and photographic stop. Motorcycle access to the original road depends on local management arrangements.
- Motorcycle Preparation: Riders should service their motorcycles before entering China and carry essential tools, tyre-repair equipment and commonly required spare parts.
- Route Flexibility: Border procedures, weather, road works and local traffic regulations may change. The tour leader may adjust daily routes or overnight stops while preserving the core travel experience.
Prices
Choose your motorcycle. Prices are per person.
Fixed group dates can have their own tour fee — see Group departures. What's included
Ways to ride this route
Join a group
Fixed dates, a tour leader up front and riders from around the region beside you.
Add to any trip
Ask for a quote
Ask for a quote
Ask for a quote
What's included
Included
all fees related to bringing vehicles into China, a support vehicle for the entire journey, hotel accommodations, attraction entrance tickets
Not included
meals, transportation costs in the event of vehicle breakdown, fuel expenses, or any other expenditures not explicitly mentioned under "included costs."
Questions riders ask
How to Join Our Boutique Group Trips
1.We regularly update our schedule with the latest travel dates for each year. You can browse our available itineraries, select the one that suits you best, and get in touch with us to sign up. Once your booking is confirmed, simply make your own way to our designated meeting point—we’ll take care of everything else.
2.For your trip, you'll need to prepare your own equipment, such as cycling gear and a helmet, for safe driving.
How to Customize Your Own Itinerary
1.If you have your own group and require a custom travel itinerary, please contact us to arrange a tailored service.
2.We offer a range of options, including support vehicles, photographers, maintenance technicians, motorcycle ride leaders, and translator-guides.
3.If you have specific itinerary requirements for entering China by private vehicle, we can also provide customized arrangements.
How do I apply for a temporary Chinese driver's license?
1. We require an image of your home-country driver’s license in order to translate it and prepare the necessary documentation.
2. Currently, this service is available in Kunming, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Urumqi.
3. Regarding vehicle pickup in Chengdu: due to recent policy adjustments, it is no longer possible to process temporary driver’s licenses there. You must obtain your temporary license elsewhere; therefore, we recommend securing it in advance before traveling to Chengdu to pick up your vehicle.
4.The process for obtaining a temporary driver's license typically takes about two hours to complete.
5.Service hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.