3. June

Today was B-day, crossing into China. Had a bit of issue on the Laos exit, after I had thrown away the little TIP with the QR code. Took a while but they somehow figured out to exit my motorcycle from the system without the little sticker.

I had been prepared on the checks on the China side, but when you have to unpack everything and they literally going through every t-shirt, underwear, phone, Computer, and you have to pay out everything onto an Asphalt ground, it is a bit over what you imagined. Worst, all in the burning sun. Our agent told us, because the Malaysian group yesterday was not compliant, and the complete group of 18 drivers and bikes got rejected, they got super strict with all others now. It took three hours for three in our group by two officers, all standing in a brutal clear burning sun. After that we had to gather our things from the ground and pack d it back to the individual bags for socks and underwear and t-shirts and pants and then everything back into the luggage, which took me at least another 20 minutes.

Immigration and custom was comparable fast and er went out within 40 minutes or so.

We then drove  ca 35 km to a small town police station where we will get our official Chinese number plate and driving licence.

After that we are off on our own to get to our hotel on Puer. There I need to pack things properly again so they fit into the bags properly.

So yes, we made it so far and soon we will be on our own working out the navigation options and how to get to the hotels in the best way.

We made it to the other side

18:53 (China time)

I arrived in Puer at the Holiday Inn Cafe hotel, after a really amazing drive up from the border on perfect highways and at least 30 Tunnels or more. Driving up from the border is like driving on a highway through a botanical garden in a mountainous region. Everything is lush green and you simply keep rolling on almost empty highways. This was certainly a great start.

After lunch in a small village with a small police station I got my (three months) driving licence, which will allow me hopefully to drive back with it. It was also the time to say good bye to the two from Indonesia, as they wanted to stay in Mohan, a town closer to the border, as they were really tired.

The rooms of this hotel are better than it looks from outside. And the receptionist was very helpful to find a bike parking place, as bikes are not allowed in the hotel carpark. So now it stands in the hallway to the reception. Works for me.

Now I will need to unpack and repack all my luggage after the border check turned it upside down. But hey, we made it.

And yes, I urgently need a shower

And then it’s time to find something to eat.

Here is my AI generated evening briefing for tomorrow:

🌙 EVENING BRIEFING — C1-2 | Thursday, 4 June 2026

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📍 Puer → Jingdong
📏 302 km | ⏱ 4h 22m | ⛰ Max ~2,200 m pass
🌍 China — Yunnan Province
🍜 Lunch: Jinggu

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🏨 HOTEL
Yinsheng Tea Mansion Resort Hotel (Jingdong Bus Station Branch)
🔖 1578947208265675
Alt: Vienna Hotel (Jingdong Bus Terminal)

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🗺 NAVIGATION
• Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y1fPpXtRtAngQ9739
• Kurviger: https://kurv.gr/hfYZH (GPX)
• Garmin: https://kurv.gr/Gzprb

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☀️ WEATHER FORECAST

📍 PUER (start — ~1,300 m)
🌡️ High 29°C / Low 13°C
🌧️ 82% rain — moderate rain likely, 5.9 mm forecast
💨 Wind: 4-8 km/h, SW → S
👁️ Visibility: 2-10 km (morning fog reducing to 2 km before sunrise, improving after 8am)
💧 Humidity: 54-97%
☀️ UV: Extreme (11.5) — midday sun strong through breaks

📍 JINGDONG (end — ~1,700 m)
Expected similar — southern Yunnan rainy season
🌡️ Expected 20-28°C range (higher elevation slightly cooler)
🌧️ Afternoon thundershowers likely (pattern consistent across the region)

⚠️ Pre-planned forecast (from roadbook): 20-28°C, 78% RH, afternoon rain likely ⏺ Matches well
⚠️ HIGH ALTITUDE NOTE: Passes reach ~2,200 m — expect cooler temps, fog, slippery roads above 1,800 m
⚠️ Yunnan June alert: Heavy rains already caused landslides and road blockages in Nujiang and Diqing this week (northern Yunnan). Southern routes generally less affected, but vigilance required.

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🚧 ROAD CONDITIONS

Route: G323 (Puer → westward) → S222/G214 (Jinggu → Jingdong)

✅ No major closures reported on this specific route
⚠️ Yunnan June context: Seasonal flooding/landslides reported in Nujiang & Diqing (northwest Yunnan). Direct Puer-Jingdong route on secondary provincial roads — paved but single-lane sections possible.
⚠️ Roadbook warns: Landslide risk on rural mountain stretches. Road quality varies on provincial route. Some sections may be muddy/slippery after rain.
⚠️ Fuel: Fill in Jinggu town before heading north. Rural stretches sparse.

Verdict: No critical issues, but expect regular June mountain conditions — wet patches, potential minor slides, variable road quality on S222/G214.

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📖 ROADBOOK NOTES

DAY 2 | 4 June 2026 | Puer → Jinggu → Jingdong

ROUTE: G323 westward from Puer, then provincial roads S222 / G214 northward through Jinggu to Jingdong. Secondary national/provincial road territory — paved throughout but occasional rougher sections serving forestry and tea industries. Mountain passes between valleys reach 1,800-2,200 m.

CULTURE: Jinggu is the Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County — over 26 ethnic groups. Dai culture transitions to Yi influence northward toward Jingdong. The Wuliang Mountain Nature Reserve begins at Jingdong — avg elevation 1,800 m, highest peak 3,371 m, 91% forest coverage.

TEA HORSE ROAD HISTORY: Jinggu lies on secondary Tea Horse Road branches connecting Pu’er tea heartland to Yunnan-Tibet corridor. Ancient tea gardens on Wuliang Mountain supplied caravan trade for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Jinggu: Mengwofo Temple Twin Towers — “tree in tower, tower in tree” (banyan trees growing through old Buddhist towers). Also Mangyu Grand Canyon, Xiaoheijiang Forest Park.
• Jingdong: Gateway to Wuliang Mountain Nature Reserve. Look for “老树茶” (old-tree tea). Yi cuisine — try Tuo Tuo Meat (坨坨肉), Yi buckwheat cakes, rice wine.

PRACTICAL TIPS:
🏍️ Start by 07:00-08:00 — mountain passes before 11:00 to beat convective cloud buildup and afternoon rain
⛽ Fill fuel in Jinggu — rural stretches sparse northward
🛣️ Single-lane stretches possible. Road may be muddy after rain
⚠️ LANDSLIDE RISK: June is peak season. If blocked road encountered, wait for clearance — do NOT attempt off-road bypass on unknown terrain