Trans-China Laos to Kazakhstan

Tea Horse Route to Silk Road 2026
  • Introduction
  • Itinerary
  • Date & Pricing
  • Reviews
  • Map
  • Photo Blog
    Fully supported motorcycle tour through China, We start from Laos/China border, follow the ancient tea horse trading route and venture into Tibetan region and pay a visit the most westward Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan Pass. An epic Motorcycle tour through China riding through some of the world’s best scenery ranging from tropical rain forest, towering sub alpine gorges and valleys, high altitude Tibetan plateau to temperate arid semi desert on a 6,000 kilometer journey through China. Traversing several largest rivers in Asia including the Mekong, the Yangtse, the Yellow river. En route visiting five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, encountering a dozen of ethnic groups and their unique cultures and architectures. Visiting some of most fascinating cities of China like Dali, Lijiang, Shangri_la, Dun Huang and Urumqi. Our adventure brings us to the second largest shifting desert in the world - Taklamagan. Riding along the fabled Silk Road we shall be visiting a whole different world and we finally find ourselves in Horgas, the border crossing to Kazakhstan.
    Day to Day Itinerary


    Day 1  Aug. 12  Wednesday  Laos - China
    Met by your guide at Mohan in the morning, border formalities and brokering at customs . We do the bike inspection in the afternoon, ride to Puer city,. The ride is easy on highway, we will try to check in hotel before dinner.
    (Ride 276 km) Alt. 800m


    Day 2  Aug. 13  Thursday  Puer to Dali
    Take the highway to Dali, scenic and easy day to get used to Chinese traffic. Overnight at the hotel in Dali Old City. Dali old city has a history of over 2000 years, is interesting for strolling around at night. 
    (Ride 437km)  Alt. 1890m


    Day 3  Aug. 14  Friday  Dali to Lijiang
    We departure for Lijiang , pass by the landmark of Dali- Three Pagodas, pictures and we ride take a side trip to Shaxi tea Horse tradiiing village, in the afternoon continue trip to lijiang. The mountain ride is another highlight of the day. We arrive in Lijiang in early afternoon. Lijaing old town is the UNESCO world heritage which attracts crowds of visitors all year around. You will have enough time strolling in the old town and rest.
    (Ride 166km)  Alt. 2400M

    Day 4  Aug. 15  Saturday  Lijiang to Shangri_la 
    We will leave Lijiang and ride to the third deepest Gorge in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge. It’s one of highlights of the trip, we will ride further into the gorge to beat the crowds. After lunch we will continue to Shangri_la County or Gyelthang, is where the Tibetan and Chinese worlds meet. Until recently, it was the northernmost open point for foreign travelers in Yunnan. ShangriLa is now a modern city at the edge of the vast Tibetan plateau. Again you will be delighted to spend your night in the Zukezong old town. 

    (Ride 180km) Alt. 3270M


    Day 5  Aug. 16  Sunday  Shangri_la to Batang

    Ride to Yangtse river, through the Dingchu Gorge, amzing gorge that takes us into the heart of the Khampa Tibetan region. Stop at Derong for lunch, afterwards ride to G318 Road.

    (Ride 360km) Alt. 2600M


    Day 6  Aug. 17  Monday  Batang to Derge
    Follow the Yangtse river, we stop at Gato monastery, splendid monastry built in the hidden valley. We the ride over the pass to Derge County, visit the famous Gerge Printing Monastery located in the Khampa Tibet region.

    (Ride 280km) Alt. 3300M


    Day 7  Aug. 18  Tuesday  Derge to Yushu

    Ride to the heartland of Amdo Tibet, the ancient tea horse trading route. Yushu is famous for its largest Mani Stone piles in the world and strong Tibetan Religious culture.
    (Ride 330km) Alt. 3650M


    Day 8  Aug 19  Wednesday  Yushu Rest Day
    A vast highland of rolling hills, covered by endless grasslands, under the deep blue sky with white clouds. Everlasting silence until the horizon and beyond it interrupted only by scattered Tibetan nomadic families with their yak herds. We shall visit Jyekundo Dondrubling Monastery and Gyanak Mani Stones Temple.


    Day 9  Aug. 20  Thursday  Yushu to Maduo
    We say goodbye to Yyushu and ride Through Tibet Plateau to Maduo, claimed to be the source of the Yellow River.
    (Ride 330km) Alt. 4300M

    Day 10  Aug. 21  Friday  Maduo to Xining
    Ride on highway to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, start to see different Muslim culture and food.
    (Ride 470km) Alt. 2800M

    Day 11  Aug. 22  Saturday  Xining to Zhangye
    Ride over Qilian mountain, nice fields and flowers, arrive in Zhangye to visit it's Giant Wooden Buddha. The Hexi Corridor on the silk road.

    (Ride 345km) Alt. 1200


    Day 12 Aug. 23  Sunday  Zhangye DunHuang

    Ride to Dunhuang, we will stop at the westmost great wall of China at Jiayuguan hanging all, we can ride to Dunhuang, the oasis on the silk road, enjoy the sunset on the Sand Dune.

    (Ride 345km) Alt. 800m


    Day 13  Aug. 24  Monday  Dunhuang Rest Day

    Optional visit to Mogao grottoes-UNESCO site, bike services if needed

    Day 14  Aug. 25  Tuesday  Dunhuang to Hami
    Ride to Hami, into the new territory, namingly Xin Jiang.
    (Ride 410km) Alt. 500

    Day 15  Aug. 26   Wednesday  Hami to Urumqi
    Ride to Urumqi, the capital city of Xin Jiang, there is a chanc to service the bikes or visit local Bazzar.

    (Ride 545km) Alt. 1200m


    Day 16  Aug. 27  Thursday  Urumqi to Horgas

    Ride to the border city, get ready for the crossing

    (Ride 650km) Alt. 1200m


    Day 17  Aug. 28  Friday  Horgas to Almaty
    Border formalities and customs clearnce. You then exit China to Kazakhstan, you may reach Almaty in the same day.


    Tour starts on August 12, 2026 
    China/Laos border ( Boten )

    Tour ends on August 28, 2026
    Kazakhstan/China border (Horgas)


    Tour Cost on your own motorcycles: 
    USD2850/rider

    Book before Dec. 31, 2026: USD2700/rider

    Singleroom Supplement: USD500/person 

    Pillion/Passenger: USD1300/person 

    ----------------------------------------------- 

    INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:


    --Permit
    --Chinese driving licenses
    --Temporary number plates
    --Customs clearances (in and out)
    --Custom Deposit
    --Third party liability insurance for motorcycles
    --Pre departure PDF fact sheet
    --Detailed printable PDF road book
    --Electronic road book daily
    --English Speaking guides
    --Support van for luggage and passenger seats
    -- First aid kit, Bike tools and air compressor
    --Trailer for emergency breakdowns
    --Hand picked high quality hotels in twin sharing
    --Chinese and Western Breakfasts
    --RideChina T-shirt
    --China stickers


    PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDED:

    --Lunches and dinners
    --All entry fees to parks and monasteries, etc...
    --Fuel and toll fee if any
    --All services not mentioned
    --Tipping or gratuities to guides and drivers
    --Mandatory international travel insurance



    Hello Jia, We've arrived safely at home in Moscow. Say hello to Mr. Wong and his family and once again thank you for the best motorcycle trip in our life!

    Regards,

    Alexey - Russia


    Compatible
GROUP SIZE

Minimum 8 participants

START/FINISH

Laos/Kazakhstan

DURATION

17 day, 15 riding days, 2 rest days

TRIP GRADE

Intermediate

ROUTE

Total distance 6000 km, daily rides 350-650 km. Mostly on asphalt roads

LODGING

Excellent Hotels

HIGHLIGHTS
Tropical forest, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri_la, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Kham Tibetan Region, Yangtse and Yellow River.Chinese Architecture and gardens, Rarely visited mountain tribes

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