After 131k I entered Yumen at 18.30, where I spent 2 hours riding 10k around town to be refused at 15 hotels. I was finally accepted at the too high price of USD 10 for a basic room with internet at the staircase. The owner looked at my passport but no registration, so I’m sure she insisted on the more expensive room to make the risk worth while. And since I had searched the whole town, it had started to rain, and it was getting dark, I had limited negotiation (will)power. A tough first day on all accounts except the visa – it can only get better.