Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Use shared scooters in old town areas for cheap short hops; bring your own helmet and be mindful of area restrictions (16:52)
- Tip 2Fixing your phone can be fast in big cities; carry local SIM or arrange repair on site while you explore (20:11)
- Tip 3Cross at busy streets via underground passages to stay safe in Kashgar's busy traffic scene; watch for changing pedestrian rules in crowded markets (27:24)
In this episode Itchy Boots travels through Topa to Kashgar, Xinjiang, where she tackles a handful of practical and cultural hurdles. The day begins with a realization about fuel buying rules in China, where paying with a Chinese ID card is required and some stations still prefer cash. She notes that in Xinjiang, life operates on Beijing time, so offices and shops open late and shut early, which shapes the day’s plan. Her mission is to obtain a Chinese driver license for herself, a process that turns out to be surprisingly smooth: no driving test is needed, and the Dutch license is exchanged for a Chinese one after filling out forms. A new Chinese plate is issued for her motorcycle Frankie, a vintage bike that’s technically too old for regular riding in China but is permitted because it is not locally plated. As she navigates Kashgar, Itchy Boots observes the city’s ancient Silk Road heritage, the lively bazaars, and the Uyghur culture, including the distinctive dress, language, and mo
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Itchy Boots lands in Kashgar after a morning fuel run where Chinese payment methods and bike rules surprise her. She learns she can fill up directly at some stations and that cash is rare, with AliPay and WeChat commonly used. The plan for the day is to obtain a Chinese driver license in Kashgar and then explore the old city. She notes the time zone peculiarity of Xinjiang and how it shifts daily life to later starts and finishes. Frankie, her vintage motorcycle, passes the inspection despite being 38 years old because it’s not locally plated. The hotel room reveals eight as a lucky number, and the driver license arrives in the mail while she eats pigeon and other Xinjiang specialties, like lamb kebabs and aubergine with sweet chili. She and Bing test a shared scooter to reach a far-off phone repair shop, learning the modest costs to ride and the scooter’s color-coded restrictions. In the bazaar, Itchy Boots notes the Uyghur culture, dress, language, and the Id Kah mosque’s status as a tourist site with worship restrictions. The day ends with reflections on the ancient city’s beauty and her hopes for the next episode. Itchy Boots signs off, inviting viewers to like and subscribe.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Can I ride a vintage motorcycle in Xinjiang?
- A: Yes if it has foreign or non-Chinese plates, but domestic rules prohibit bikes older than 13 years from regular riding; Frankie, being 38, is only allowed because it isn’t locally plated.
