Police Checkpoints And Escorts In Xinjiang

So yesterday, police checks did get quite annoying.

We went through 2 police checks easily, then the third – nothing major but we had to be escorted through this section. It took 1 hour for a car to arrive…a little frustrating as time was ticking and we still had 45 miles to go. Due to this wait we might’ve been cycling in the dark, but whatever – these things happen. ⁣

The escort followed us for 25 miles. At one point I pulled into a restaurant to use the toilet. The escort dedicated to seeing us through this town for our safety whizzed straight past us despite us waving him down. We shrugged it off, used the toilet then continued on. Our escort obviously realised they’d lost us and doubled back. We managed to wave him down this time and he continued to follow us until the next police check, police check 4.⁣

This check took well over one hour and we have absolutely no idea why. To be honest I think the police simply didn’t know how to process our passport. Time was ticking and it was apparent we were cycling in the dark. In an attempt to speed things up I asked if everything was okay and told them we had to cycle another 2 hours before we got to Changji, I said I was anxious about us riding at night – we’re not really, but on the whole we’d prefer not to do it. The police assured me they were nearly done and thanked us for our cooperation. There were ever so polite and kind.⁣

Finally we could go. Once we left the police check the sunlight hours were against us. We layered up because it was so cold and continued to Changji. The police had told us to head to “garden hotel”, but no one knew where it was.⁣

In Changji there was a hotel named “The Family Inn” I figured I’d “pop in” and see if we could stay. It’s got an English sign, this bodes well – or so I thought.⁣⁣

I was given a price and I spoke to 7 people before I was told there were no rooms – aka. no rooms for foreigners. It was dark, late and freezing. My patience was wearing thin.⁣⁣

We met more police in the street who endeavoured to help us. They gave us pretty good directions to “Garden Hotel” and wrote a note, so if we couldn’t find the hotel, a policeman would help us. Super cute. ⁣⁣

Finally we found “Green Hotel” which accepted foreigners. This must be it we thought. Green/garden – it could be lost in translation and it was as directed by the officer. ⁣⁣

They did take foreigners and the price was £45. The woman on reception agreed she’d help us get our bikes into a safe place – and not left outside in the car park with the mopeds. ⁣⁣

Just as we were on the brink of sorting that out 3 BUSLOADS of people walked in and took priority over my one booking, no exaggeration. I was told to “wait a moment”. ⁣⁣

Two women on reception dealt with the mayhem that was 100 Chinese tourists checking in and I was left by the wayside. It was 22:00. This was not happening.⁣⁣

I marched outside and had a rant to Stew then grabbed my bike and started wheeling it into the hotel and told him to do the same. Afterall we had been told our bikes didn’t need to stay outside. ⁣⁣

My front wheel scraped the inside and 3 people came over. ⁣⁣

I thought that might spring some staff to action.⁣⁣

I explained innocently the receptionist said she’d help with bikes and they would stay inside and not in the car park. ⁣⁣

A young gentleman helped us and took our bikes to an outhouse near guards who work 24/7. We unloaded our bags and checked in. Finally it was done.⁣⁣

Turns out we weren’t at Garden Hotel, the hotel wasn’t called Green Hotel either. We stayed in Yuanlin Hotel. At this point who cares, a bed’s a bed!⁣⁣

The wifi didn’t work, but the beds were so comfortable and breakfast was delicious. Checkout was at 2pm so thankfully we could rest up in the morning and cycle just 30 miles to Ürümqi. ⁣⁣

[Part 2/2]