Great Crossing · Own motorcycle
From Yunnan’s rice terraces to the northern grasslands.
The ride
From Mohan through Yunnan, Sichuan and central China, reaching the Mongolia exit at Erlianhaote. Rice terraces, old towns, the Leshan Giant Buddha, Xi’an and the northern grasslands.
4,500 km is the subtotal of 17 listed motorcycle stages, not the complete journey distance. Sightseeing and the final border exit are not fully quantified.
Laos, China & Mongolia
Approved China vector geography; tour connections and visit contexts are schematic. Roads © OpenStreetMap contributors via Geofabrik · ODbL · China road extract · Neighbor context extract. Neighbor land, rivers and foreign boundaries: Natural Earth (public domain).
Destination, featured-visit and stated-pass references.
Day references, not a terrain profile. Stated heights are approximate; missing figures remain unavailable. No missing heights are estimated.
Surrounding geography: Natural Earth (public domain). Road context © OpenStreetMap contributors via Geofabrik · ODbL · Scoped context road extract.
Day by day
Accommodation and visitor access can change. We’ll confirm current arrangements when planning your journey.
Mohan – Mengla: Enter China at Mohan border, after custom formalities ride to Mengla, 45 km, 1 hour. Car check, obtain your temporary drive license and vehicle tag etc. 1N at Jinglan Hotel
Mengla – Jiangcheng: provincial road, 58km+185km. 1N at Mancheng Hotel
Jiangcheng – Yuanyang: provincial road, 305km. After arriving in Yuanyang visit the village of Hani-Minority in Qingkou. 1N at 3*Yunti Hotel
Yuanyang – Jianshui (85km): In Yuanyang visit Laohuzui terrace. Then ride to Jianshui. Sightseeing in Jianshui – Residence of Family Zhang in Tuanshan, Twin-Dragon-Bridge, Chaoyang Tower, old city and Konfucius Tempel. 1N at 3*Huaqing Hotel
Jianshui – Shilin (Stone Forest) – Kunming: highway and second-class road, 290km, 6 hours. 1N at 4*Jinjiang Hotel
Kunming – Zhaotong: 399km. 1N at 3*Hotel
Zhaotong – Leshan: 403km. 1N at 3*Jiazhou Hotel
Leshan – Chengdu: visit Giant Buddha in Lingyun Temple. Ride to Chengdu, 177km. 2N im 4*Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou
Chengdu: visit Qingyang Temple, Broad Lane and Narrow Lane (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi) and drink tea in Renmin Park.
Chengdu – Panda Breeding Base – Sanxingdui Museum – Zitong: 188km. 1N at 3*Hotel
Zitong - Jianmenguan Pass – Guangyuan (Thousand Buddha Cliff): 162km. 1N at 4*Guangyuan International Hotel
Guangyuan – Hanzhong – Foping: 337km. 1N at 3*Hotel
Foping – Xian: 196km. 2N at 4*Tianyu Gloria Hotel
Xian: Visit Terra-Cotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Ancient City Wall.
Xian – Linfen: 380km. 1N at 3*Hotel
Linfen – Hukou Waterfall - Pingyao Ancient Town: 177km. 1N at 2*Dejuyuan Hotel
Pingyao – Taiyuan – Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) in Hunyuan – Datong: 395km. 1N at 4*Datong Hotel
Datong (Yungang Grottos) – Hohot: 245km. 1N at 4*Hotel
Hohot - Erlianhaote (= Ehrenhot): 473km. 1N at Haifeng Hotel
Erlianhaote exit into Mongolia. Service ended.
Riding details
The published route enters from Laos at Mohan and ends with exit formalities at Erlianhaote toward Mongolia. This is an own-motorcycle itinerary. Discuss pricing, support and any arrangements beyond the Chinese borders with us before planning your departure.
Border formalities, motorcycle access to named road corridors, accommodation and current service arrangements require confirmation.
In pictures
Scenes from this journey and Greatway’s wider travels in China, including places beyond this itinerary.
Greatway Collection
Dates & enquiry
Tell us your preferred dates, who is riding and the motorcycle you plan to bring. We’ll discuss the arrangements for your crossing.
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