On this page we attempt to make available the experience of individual bicycle tourists who travel to China (you can share your experiences here).
Table of Contents
Beijing Biking Tour
Explore Beijing city by bike. We will cycle along the Chang'an Street to Tian'anmen Gate, and arrive at the famous Forbidden City to visit this magnificent imperial palace that was home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Then we move on to Beihai Park and Jingshan Park to see Chinese royal gardens. The hutong area is next with it many alleys and courtyard houses. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, kindergarten, tea house, and local people's houses. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel.(Exclude Attractions Fee of Beihai Park and Jingshan Park) Note: The bike hire shop is nearby the Donghuamen Gate, about 10 minutes' walk from Wangfujing street.
Tracy, June 21, 2010Best in 4 days, Tibet tour packages
Day 1
Destination: Entrance City to Lhasa
Inter-city Transfer: Flight not included
Service Provided: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lhasa),
Day 2
Destination: Lhasa
Service Provided: The Potala Palace, The Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
-The Potala Palace: The Potala Palace, which is now on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics, is the most valuable storehouse in Tibet. It is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. The Palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scripture, Buddha figures, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry treasured up, they are of great cultural and artistic value. In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.Perched upon the Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet.
-The Jokhang Temple: Constructed in the 7th century AD to house the statues of Buddha that princesses Bhrikuti from Nepal and Wen Cheng from Tang Dynasty China brought as gifts for their future husband, King Songtsan Gampo. The temple has been enlarged many times over the centuries and now also houses statues of King Songtsan Gambo and his two famous foreign brides. However, the original statue of Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha that Princess Wen Cheng brought from Chang¡¯an over 1300 years ago is definitely it¡¯s most sacred and famous possession, and is perhaps the most venerated religious artifact in all of Tibet. The temple, a splendid four-floor building facing west under a gilded rooftop, is located on Barkhor Square in the center of the old section of Lhasa.
-Barkhor Street: The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled.
Day 3
Destination: Lhasa
Service Provided: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, The Carpet Factory, Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
-Sera Monastery: It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place.
-Drepung Monastery: Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong).
-Norbulingka: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.
--The Carpet Factory: The highland of Tibet is the actual home of the oriental carpets. By visiting Carpet Factory you will have a general idea how carpets are produced.
Day 4
Destination: Lhasa to Departure City
Inter-city Transfer: Flight not included
Service Provided: Hotel to airport Transfer (Lhasa), Breakfast
Bicycle Shipping..and TSA (Airport Security)
I have had very bad experience shipping my bicycles as baggage on an airplane internationally (to Bangkok). Both times, the bike went on Northwest. The problems, however, weren't due to Northwest baggage negligence. The problem is with TSA, the airport security people. I have a bike hard case and have the TSA approved locks on the bike case. Each time I've shipped the bike, the locks have been removed, some not put back on, the clasps on the bike hardcase are now all broken (thanks TSA!) and I have to strap the top of the box together to keep the top in place. They will remove the straps, not tighten them tight again, and as a result, there is damage to the bike inside. I shipped a brand new Surly touring bike to Bangkok from Colorado last January, and upon arrival, the handlebar tape was completely off, the front and rear deraillers were bent, and you could tell that they had taken the bike completely out of the box and had no idea how to get it in there again, as it was more or less pushed in, with paint rubs everywhere. I tried filing a claim for damage, but the airlines said it was TSA damage...ever try getting anything out of TSA..those bastards are just worthless. So I've had very bad experience shipping my bikes on the plane. I've not tried shipping a bike internationally say with FedEx or UPS and don't know how expensive it is. But it is becoming very expensive to ship a bicycle through as baggage. Northwest now charges $130 one way from destination in US, then another $130 after you connect to your international destination...and that is ONE WAY EACH TIME!!! Funny thing is that when I get to Asia, and connect with say China Air, Thai Air, Philippines Air, or almost ANY OTHER ASIAN AIRLINE...there is no charge for shipping the bike...and..best of all...they don't open the bike box. You tell them what's in it, they run it through the xray and it's on the plane. None of this stupid ridiculous opening of the box in the U.S...after they run it through their billion dollar xray scanning state of the art equipment. I'm just disgusted with shipping a bike in the U.S. through an airport. They don't give a damn about your bike or your baggage.
Len, June 07, 2008All about bike travel
Take a look at our adventure! Inorbitt is all about bike travel. Buses, trains, trucks, and bikes we used them all in this classic adventure. Police road blocks couldn’t stop an inorbitt adventure. Organized on the web as a free to join, open to everyone, cycle adventure.
Hong Kong to Goa for the millennium, via Tibet and the illegal route from Yunnan to Lhasa. See the pictures, read the adventures and find out how to do it yourself.
China Southern - Worst Airline on the Planet
It's a bad airline to start with. Often delayed, crappy service. I brought my bike up to the counter, early with a smile on my face. And the person at the counter just said "no bikes", as if I had many options. After half an hour of furious negotiations, they agreed to let me take it on, doing me a 'favor' they felt. Of course, I had top pay 600 RMB to take my bike to Kashi from Beijing due to overweight fees. If you have the chance fly Xiamen or Hainan Airlines, much better.
anton, September 09, 2006Bicycle padded airline Bag
Still the best product out on the marketplace is the Bicycle Travel Bag from ROME Bike Bags, CA 310-791-6366, they ship the same day for procrastinators like myself who needed a bag in a hurry. The bag was used for a trip to france and was easily stored in a locker at the train station when I was riding. ***** Great price $129, give them a cal, I think the website is www.bikebags.com ask for Sandy.
Brian, May 26, 2006Where to rent a bike in Beijing?
The best way to explore Beijing is biking!
Ride a bike and get around anywhere of Beijing!
Riding a bike not only can catch more view, have more fun, but also can keep fit, lighten the traffic jam, protect the environment and
save energy sources.
"Kingdom Bike Rental" is No.1 service provider in China; we deliver high quality bikes of any kind to hotels in Beijing.
Head Office Located in Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing, Beijing. Website is http://www.bicyclekingdom.com/
Travel with passion!
Cathay Pacific
Living in China I'm used to corruption, but I was thrown for 6 when told that I had to pay 3,000 RMB to take my bike to Oz Up until now it's always been 800 RMB; about 80 Euros while in Ireland it cost 25 Euros return (when I only had 20 Euros and asked if he wanted US money, he said not to worry and took the 20). In the end I managed not to pay anything. BUT on the way back I was forced to pay AUS$390. There seems to be no rhyme or reason, but having travelled all over with my bike, never have I been forced to pay such an exorbitant fee. I am really scared now about again finding out at the last minute that I have to buy another ticket just for my bicycle, especially when coming to a country like China which could make up any rule and steal my money without any recourse.
Keir Heath, February 08, 2006Hong Kong, China
There is an Airport Express train from the airport to Central on Hong Kong Island (with stops along the way). We checked our bike in at Central MTR station the evening before our flight saving having to carry it all the way out to the airport the next morning.
Alistair Morris, September 18, 2004Kunming, China
The airport is apporximately 6km out of the centre of town. The taxis on show were all small cars unable to take a bike. Eventually someone offered us a lift in a van (for a price). However cycling in would be easy - just head north, road was not too busy.
Alistair Morris, September 18, 2004Chengdu Airport
We cycled from the centre of Chengdu to the airport fairly easily.
Head SW from near Sam's Guesthouse across the river. Eventually you'll see signs for the airport expressway. If you follow these you come to a road that runs under the expressway. As a cyclist you are not allowed on the expressway. As you near the airport the side road rises up to the expressway and a toll barrier (they won't let you through).
Instead, just before joining the expressway take a road off to the right (signposted to an elementary school). This then runs parallel to the expressway, then drops underneath to a T junction. Turn L up the hill, R at the next T junction an you are at the airport - approx. 19km
China Eastern Airlines
Had no problems with a tandem unboxed. A man was assigned to wheel it off, and it was returned undamaged at Xi'an airport without problem.
We were flying on a Boeing 737. No extra charge. The only difficulty was fitting it in the Xray machine - just needed a bit of dismantling.
Xi'an Airport
Xi'an Airport is about 40km out of town on an expressway, probably prohibiting bicycles. We took the regular airport bus into the centre of town. It is a full sized Western style bus and there was no problem fitting the bike in the luggage compartment
Alistair Morris, September 18, 2004Trans-Siberian (Ulaan Baatar to Moscow)
We were told there was a luggage carriage on our train, but there was none. We travelled first class which gave enough space for 6 bags and the tandem (split with SandS couplings) in the compartment.
There is an overhead storage which is about 165x30x100cm (wxhxd) which took our whole tandem, wheels and all. 2 solo frames would probably fit with the wheels going somewhere else. There is loads of space under the seats for bags. If you are 2nd class you might have to fight to get the overhead space for the bikes and as first class was only 140US$ it was definitely worth it.
We did not fill in a Mongolian customs form declaring the bike on entry (came in overland from China) and this was not a problem on exit.
We made sure that the bike was declared on the Russian declaratsia although customs were not impressed with this and no one questioned us as we flew out from Moscow.
Xinjiang Airlines (Kyrgyzstan to Urumqi/China)
No box required. Just wrap your bicycle tubes into carton and empty the tires. No problems.
raymond thuring, August 24, 2004China Southern Airlines
No box required. Just wrap your bicycle tubes into carton and empty the tires. No problems.
raymond thuring, August 24, 2004Train Uzbekistan
We took the train from Tashkent to Bughara (US$18,- for a four persons coupe for 12 hours). One bicycle we placed in the luggage area above and one on the upper bed. The luggage went into the luggage area under the benches.
We bribed the conductor that no other ‘non-ticketed’ persons were allowed in our cabin who got on the train on the way. I also stayed in the door opening til the train left, to make sure no people without a ticket would get in our coupe (just asked them if they had a ticket).
On request of the train master we removed the wheels from the bicycles. We heard a story by two French girls (without bicycle) who took the train to Nukus the conductor said their ticket was not in order and they had to leave the train immediately (actually he wanted a donation), but the others said they just should keep sitting on the train. Often if you’re bullied, just smile and most of the times they can not hold up their act for a long time.
Bus -- Kyrgyzstan
Your bicycle inside the luggage area is not a problem (if not already full). Complete Yurtas (=Nomad tents) are transported in the back side of the bus and your bicycle can easily go on top. Remember that, like in most public transport, you pay extra for the bicycle/luggage.
Our experience is 1 bicycle = 1 person (when you are with 2 bicycles it can also be 1 person). Sometimes it takes some persuasion from the ticket office that the bus driver needs to take you and your luggage. Expect to pay the bus driver separate as well (hey, he's got children too!)
Kyrgyzstan
In Bishkek we arranged a van through the ticket office to pick us up from the guesthouse and to bring us to the airport. Of course, like in Uzbekistan, a MTB fits easily upside down in the back side of a taxi. Bring some straps to tie your bicycle your own way.
raymond thuring, August 23, 2004Bus China
The sleeper bus or minibusses will just put the bicycle on the roof. Sometimes you have to do it yourself (preferable). Bring some straps (normally used for backpacks and you will find them in any outdoor shop) to make sure you can worry about the driving of the (sleeper)bus driver instead of your bicycle.
Sleeper busses can be very comfortable, especially for the long haul. Don't be surprised if you smell all the feet of the persons in front of you or if you hear the sound of squatting on the ground (in your shoe?) or puking out of the window because of the drive style.
Kunming, China
Taking a taxi (with two bicycles) from the airport can be a bit difficult. They will charge you a lot and the taxi drivers think two mountainbikes will not fit in one taxi. Later it seemed that all taxis used their meter, without any (Asian) hassle.
raymond thuring, August 23, 2004Urumqi airport, Xinjiang province China
Finding transport here is a bit difficult. If you pay too much it's easy. There are not so many taxis, but stick to a reasonable price (check Lonely Planet) add some for the bicycles. Take out the wheels of your bicycles and they fit in the trunk (trust me, not different then the rest of Asia).
Raymond Thuring, August 23, 2004Bangkok to Amsterdam
We flew back home from BKK to A'dam, with China Airlines. We had 10 kg overweight, but the cycles did not fit the weighing platform so they did not notice.
We did NOT pack our bicycles but just rolled them into the check-in hall. They didn't complain much. Even the pedals or handlebar were not taken off or turned. We just took out the air of the tyres.
The bicycles arrived without any damage in Amsterdam.
Regards,
Bert,
March 2004
Tandem Cycle Touring - Malaysia, Thailand, China, Mongolia, New Zealand
Freewheelers is a non-commerical website on tandem cycling in UK, New ZEALAND, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Mongolia (still in progress). Contains route description and country info, equipment ratings, travelogue.
Alistair Morris, February 29, 2004Dragonair Airline
Dragonair will take bikes unboxed at no extra cost except for going overweight (we were recommended to keep below 50-55kg for 2 to not be charged).
It is possible to check the bike in at Central MTR in Hong Kong
CHINA'S TRAIN T-69/T70 Bejing-Urumqi (Xinjiang)
Hi to all you are interested in cycling in China. I used the train from Bejing to Urumqi and than to Kashgar and back. In Bejing we didn't know anything about traveling with a bike so we came to the railway station and then with a lot of problems we got in to the train. (We had "bed" tickets)
The bikes had to go as cargo and we paid 25 kg per bike according the China railways (could be around 20 USD). It was same whan we used the train from small village to Kashgar. At least, both ways bikes went with us, but with quite a lot of problems.
On the way back from Urumqi to Bejing I had normal "sitting" ticket and I had my bike like parts under the chair. Free, without problems. Great.
China Airlines (Amsterdam to Bangkok)
I've flown China Airlines Amsterdam-Bangkok three times with a bike. No problems on any of the trips. On each flight I put the bike in a cardboard box for the outward flight (get one free from a bike shop), but left it naked for the return flight. No hassle, no fee, and no excess baggage charge despite being significantly over the limit on one trip.
Pete Jones, January 31, 2003Thai Airlines and China South West
I've just returned from Melbourne-Chengdu, Kathmandu-Bangkok, Bangkok-Melbourne with Thai and Chengdu-Lhasa with China South West Airlines.
Each time, I checked in four panniers weighing over 30 kilos in total. Plus the bike (unboxed) weighing another 13 kilos. And 10 kilos or mmore of hand luggage. Never had any problems with excess baggage or charges.
At a few of the airports, they tried to put the bike through their x-ray machine. Of course it wouldn't fit so they gave up. Most of them made me let the tyres down.
China Airlines
At SFO I had to check bike in through Oversize Luggage station.
At the China Airlines counter they decided not to charge me when I said it was a bicycle.
From BKK, they decided not to charge me extra only after I insisted that I hadn't been charged extra on the flight to BKK.
Touring with a folder in Russia, Tibet, China ...
Dear George,
I read your bike travel page with the great interest. Thank you for making such interesting web page. I also travel a lot, but on folding bicycle. If you wish you may reprint some of my stories on your web page. I am sure many people will find them interesting and funny.
My trip reports are published by 2 web sites:
Thanks
Alex
Train travel in Taiwan and China
Just a quick report on trains in China and Taiwan.
In Taiwan and China travel with a bike on a train usually means that you must travel separtately with up to three day delay waiting for your bike to come as freight.
You can easily avoid this by travelling by bus/ coach where bikes go in the luggage hold or on teh roof. However in China as bus is slow and uncomfortable this is far from ideal. Trains are also preferable in Taiwan on the East coast.
If you put the bike in a bike bag with both wheels and the handle bar removed you can usually get the bike on board the train with you without extra charge.
Hong Kong, China
The best way to get into or out of the airport is the Airport Express, a high-speed train linking the new airport with Tsing Yi, Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) and Hong Kong (Central). Cost is HK$90 one-way, HK$160 round-trip to Central, and the ride takes about 25 minutes.
When checking in at the Airport Express station when leaving HK, your bike (and bags) will be checked on your flight and you won't have to handle it from there. (The bike and baggage travel in a separate car on the train, loaded behind a wall by station personnel).
When getting off the plane upon arrival to HK, you'll collect your bike and wheel it onto the train at the airport. Go to the last car on the right, since it has more room for the bikes.
Storage is available at the airport, but it's expensive, about HK$240 for a big bike box for 2 days.
Cathay Pacific would take the bike bare (removed pedals, turned handlebars), and handled it well.
Everyone seems very concerned about letting all the air out of the tires, a personal peeve (I guess you don't need to pass physics to work for an airline these days). Be prepared to tell them that you've done your part to avoid having a catastrophic explosion in the cargo area of a jumbo jet due to the 5 psi overpressure on your dangerously overinflated tires.
Touring in China
Since I deal with people coming from the US and Europe to cycle in China, I thought it would be useful to post your site. If you have a spot for my site, I would appreciate a link on your site.
Sincerely,
Peter Snow Cao
BikeChina Adventures Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Everywhere is walking (or biking) distance if you have the time. -Steven Wright, comedian (1955- ) adapted by Peter Cao
China Airlines
I used a custom aluminum medal hard case (silver color) to pack my bike.
Check in on San Francisco (SFO) airport with China Airlines, flying to destination Ipoh, Malaysia. Airline just asked me what in it, I reply sports equipment, they let me check in as checkin luggage. When I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the airline found out my bike case was delayed at Taipei. I continued my flight from KL to Ipoh, Malaysia. They rushed me the case next day to Ipoh and I just picked it up from the airport, custom was easy, they ask what's in it, told them it's a bike I used for training/exercise and will bring in back to US after I done with the trip.
My dad (from Ipoh) drives a Jeep SUV, so transport the bike to my house in Ipoh was no problem.
On the return trip from Ipoh back to SF also problem free, check the case in at Ipoh airport all the way to SF. Case arrived unharmed in SFO airport.
So, transporting the bike was relatively problem free except the 1 day delay when it arrived to Ipoh.
Ipoh is a relatively small town (300,000 population), 2 flights a day Ipoh - KL (capital of Malaysia).
Kwan Low
Thai Airways and China Airlines
Travel-experience with Thai Airways and China Airlines
Together with my friend Henk Burgler I flew twice from Amsterdam to Bangkok. The first time we went with Thai Airways. We only had to put our bicycles in a carton box and they allowed us 30 kg package. In Bangkok (also in Hanoi) we offered our bicycles naked and it was no problem. Unforunately Thai Airways doesn't fly on Amsterdam longer, so this year we choose China Airlines. This is a good company too, we only had to put our bicycles in a carton box or wrap in plastic. We bought a 'plastic bicycle bag' and used it without problems. China Airlines accept only bagage till 20 kg, however it was allowed to carry almost all our bags as handluggage.
Greetings Bauke Hoogland
China, Thailand, Laos
OK here's a few more bits for your site - I'll leave you to put them in their respective places. In a week or two there will be a full SE Asia trip report up at the following link - www.trackster-man.co.uk (there's a bit of stuff there already):
Kunming Airport, Yunnan Province, China - the airport is an easy ride out from the city centre, adequately signposted, maybe 1/2 an hour's ride. It wasn't necessary to box up the bike (for a Thai air flight to Chiang Mai), just the usual handlebar/pedal/tyre business. If you want to smuggle a couple of kilos of hash out of China inside your frame this is the airport to do it from - the x-ray machine's too small to fit the bike through so it just got waved through security!
Chiang Mai Airport, N. Thailand - again, no problems. Easy, signposted ride, no need to box up. You can check your bike through all the way to its final destination (in my case, Manchester UK via Bangkok and Amsterdam), saving hassles en route. There are no shower facilities at Chiang Mai airport but you can get a shower at Bangkok - the Dayrooms in Terminal 1, although it'll cost you $10 for the privilege.
Land crossing: Thailand to Laos via the Nong Khai-Vientiane Friendship Bridge - you are ABSOLUTELY not allowed to cycle over the bridge. You have to put your bike on the bus at a cost of 10B and there are NO exceptions. Paperwork at each end is minimal. The checkpoint at the Thai side is right on the edge of Nong Khai. On the Laos side you've got a 16 mile ride to Vientiane's city centre once through customs.
Land crossing: Laos to China via Boten-Mohan - the 11 mile dirt road from the Boten turn-off to the border is very bad, chewed up by the cross-border lorries. The tarmac starts again at the border post, and is OK once into China. Paperwork on the Lao side was minimal - a passport stamp and a cheery wave goodbye. The guards at the Chinese checkpoint were a bit bemused when I turned up, wanting to see proof of onward flight tickets etc; just keep smiling and you'll be OK. There are no money changing facilities in Mohan (China) but there is a hotel - I'm sure you could change money on the Black Market, although I rode through to Mengla, the first major town 37 miles to the north. When leaving Laos you won't be able to get rid of any unwanted Kip (Lao currency) because it's worthless.
Bus journey, Jinghong to Kunming - the bike went on top of the bus for free and arrived undamaged (I tied it down myself). However, be VERY WARY at Kunming bus station - I had one of my panniers stolen while I was on the roof of the bus getting the bike. The ride through from Jinghong to Kunming would have been superb but I was suffering from hamstring strain; there are enough towns and roadwork camps en route that accommodation shouldn't be a problem if you're not carrying camping gear.
Flying with bikes - my tuppence-worth - the only time I've had a bike damaged in transit was when it was in a box: if it's boxed up it's just another piece of luggage and gets treated as such, buried beneath the suitcases. If it looks like a bike it gets treated with more respect. What I do is turn the bars round, remove the pedals and deflate the tyres - the tubes and bars sometimes get a bit of cardboard wrapped around them (which you can rescue from a dump or get from any shop). The advantage of this approach is that you can ride to the airport with the cardboard bungied onto the rack. It's a 5 minute job reassembling your bike in the arrivals hall at the other end and you can just ride away - no taxi touts, box storage logistics etc. Even when the bike's prepared for its journey you can still wheel it around with the panniers on, rather than messing about with trolleys.
Cheers Pete Jones
-----------------------------------
Don't believe the hype www.trackster-man.co.uk
Hong Kong, China
Dear George,
Looks fine, but I believe Hong Kong got a new flag, when it was taken over by China. The flag you have used includes a Union Jack in one corner, and I believe the Chinese insisted on a new flag for this reason. As far as I remember the new flag is mostly red, with a white flower-like symbol in the middle. (Sorry, but I can't draw it).
I know your site is mainly about access to planes and trains, but this info may be important to people who travel in the area. (Hong Kong is a major access-port to mainland China):
Access to Hong Kong from mainland China is also difficult. The possible entry methods I know of are:
Border city Shenzhen: (right north of Hong Kong) All roads through a security area are closed to cyclists. Therefore, the only way to cross the border at Shenzhen is to walk and then take the train to Hong Kong. However, the train itself does not allow bicycles, and you must therefore send it as seperate luggage. The price (nov 99) was 56 $HKG, and it only took a few hours. The only place you may receive the bicycle is at the end of the train line, which is downtown Kowloon. (For most purposes this is fine).
Wuzhou: (River town 2-300 km north/west of Hong Kong) Every other day a ferry connects this mid-size town with Hong Kong. I brought my bike without problems. The ferry-ride is non-stop and takes about 7 hours. They handle your bike all the way, but the service level is high. In my case they tied the bike down at the front of the boat. If it's a windy day, you may want to check that they do it properly as the first hour across the bay is through open waters.
Guangzhou: (a few hours north of Hong Kong) Supposedly you can take a long distance luxury bus from Guangzhou (buses leave about ½-1 km south of the train station). This is a non-stop bus directly to Hong Kong. (I have not tested this option, but was told at the station it would work). You may also (which I did) take a non-stop bus to Shenzhen, walk across the border and send your bike with the train. The ferry which used to connect Guangzhou and Hong Kong/Macau does not operate anymore.
Macao (Island west of Hong Kong) Supposedly you can take one of the frequent ferries from Macao to Hong Kong and bring your bike without any problems.
Ernst
Hong Kong, China
You're on a island that only has two ways into HK proper. One is to take public transportation, the train, bus, and even boats will tolerate a bike if not too large a project to get it in.
If you really want to ride out, the only way is through the local village of Tung Chung, at the airport itself. One dangerous road up a 700 meter hill is all there is. Buses and trucks come dangerously close to killing everyone on board as they weave past each other on a narrow road. Then there are more hills on the other side. I think it is too much to even consider after a long flight.
Take the train, no fee or hassle and don't even consider riding away from the new airport
Duane Brosky, May 28, 1999