From the Navel of Esaan to the Mae Nam Khong. (Day 1-2)

Ride to Laos, get a Chinese Visa in Thailand

Thailand isn't the largest country in the world, but the distances involved are still pretty significant when you're doing it on two human-powered wheels.

This was my set-up for a five day trip.  Covering 740km and including one day of relaxation in the middle, I couldn't wait!

The destination: Nakon Panom Province, the town of Renu Nakon.  My friends had planned out another day of volunteering and made all the arrangements, I just needed to get there.

15.4kg (including 1L of water), good balance between possible-length-of-trip and mountain-climbing-comfort.  The bike itself weighs exactly 9.0kg, and my weight on Day 1 was exactly 71kg.

The Belly-Button of Esaan - Maha Sarakam Province

I live in the province of Maha Sarakam, what Esaan people refer to as the "belly-button of Esaan."  It is right in the middle of the large bulge that is North-Eastern Thailand, its an area of about 200,000 square kilometers.  Almost entirely made up of rice fields, corn fields, sugarcane and cassava, this is the laid-back home of the people who make up the majority of Thailand's farmers.

The plan was to get back out for some serious riding, and I always love the idea making something like this (the single day of volunteering) the central focus of a bigger adventure.  Using my friend's home in Renu Nakon as the turnaround point, I immediately started looking at maps, finding out which roads I had not yet used, and built a nice big loop out to the border of Laos and back.  On the first day here, I wanted a solid warm-up, and so I had fun thinking of myself as setting out for a mini Giro d'Italia, one of the largest professional races of the cycling year, a race which had just started the week before.  For the first day's riding, I felt strong, and managed to keep up an average of over 34kph over the mostly flat Sarakam local roads.  Not bad for a solo ride, but would the good legs hold up for the rest of the week? :)  I was ready to find out!

How to get a Chinese Visa in Khon Kaen

I couldn't go straight to Nakon Panom, as my Chinese visa needed collecting in Khon Kaen first.  I enjoyed the last full night of sleep in my own bed for a week, and made it out on the road by 630am (a very late start for me).  Now I had two and half hours to get to KK before the consulate opened, and I wanted to have time for a coffee there first :)

So great to have a tailwind from my front door, right to the gate of the Consulate.  I made it there in just 1 hour 43 minutes, wasn't even riding at anything but an easy Endurance pace, but it might be the fastest I have ever gone!  It was a good tailwind... and it helped me straight to Amazon for a morning coffee and the oatmeal from my bag.

As far as visa info goes, I was coming to collect my visa, which means that I had already been approved.  To get approved however, takes more than a bike ride.  Here are the important details.

Remember - These are details for How to get a Chinese Visa in Thailand.  Some details may be specific to Thailand.

- You need a single profile photograph, the place I went even had a size that said "For Chinese Visa."
It is approximately 2' x 1.5' inches, but the measurement listed was accurate even to the millimeter.  If you are not wanting to be bringing a pair of scissors, then ask for the 'Chinese-visa size photo.'

-You need your passport, with at least 6 months validity still remaining, and 2 full blank pages.

- 4,560 Baht in cash.  This is the same price from 1 Day up to 10 Years.  The lengths listed on the application include a place for 'Other ___________,' and you can write 10 Years in this space.

-Visa application form, download a copy from the Consulate site (.pdf file here).  You are going to need your travel dates and hotel dates, and there is a page to list the info of a friend in China.  I am sure it was helpful that I do have a friend there, but this part is not required.
     Note:  Normal Tourist will be applying for the Type 'L' visa.

-You need a photocopy of your entry stamp into Thailand, and the page with the TM6 entry card, and the page showing your work visa.

-You need proof of employment in Thailand.  I brought photocopies of my work permit.

-You need proof of onward travel.  Print off copies of your plane tickets to and from China.
     Note: Of course, many people cycle to and from China, never boarding an airplane, and all of them have to work to persuade the visa officer that they can handle themselves.

-You need an itinerary for lodging all the days you will be there.
     Note: Agoda is full of hotels that don't require money up front.  If you want to use these hotels or not, Agoda sends a neat set of .pdf files that can be easily printed for this requirement.

-Last requirement, a ledger from your bank account showing the balance.  The requirements do not say what country the bank account needs to be from.  Their website says that you need "enough money for the trip."

-Recommended, but not required, is a letter of intent.  Mine went something like, My name is, Passport Number, I would like the type L tourist visa in order to visit China for the purpose of Tourism.  I will be traveling on these days, and I will be visiting these towns.  I will be paying for this trip on my own.  Thank you - Sincerely, Name.

-You need to check the website that the Consulate itself will be open :)
http://khonkaen.china-consulate.org/eng/  Government offices observe any and all holidays...