About Dragon Roads
Dragon Roads is a licensed travel agency for China road trips, founded by a Swiss-Chinese family who drove more than 20,000 km across the country.
We are a multi-cultural team of travelers, designers, techies and certified travel agents based in Shanghai, China and Montreal, Canada. We specialize in making self-drive travel in China seamless for international visitors who want to discover China beyond the big cities.
We believe it's never been a better time to explore China, its culture, people and amazing landscapes. Our mission is to help travelers worldwide to explore China independently and gain a deeper first-hand understanding of one of the world's most influential countries.
The intersection of the Tian Shan and Kunlun Mountains in Wuqia County, the westernmost point of China's road network.
Meet the Founders of Dragon Roads
In 2023, a Swiss-Chinese couple packed up their two young children and set off on a year-long road trip across China. Florian, a tech entrepreneur, and Zhihui, a former BMW designer had lived in the country for over a decade, but this journey would take them far beyond the places they knew. Over tens of thousands of kilometers, they traveled through hundreds of towns and villages - many for the first time - discovering landscapes, cultures, and daily rhythms far beyond the places they once knew.
The trip deepened their appreciation for China's landscapes, rhythms, and people. Most of all, it reminded them how special it is to discover a country by car: at your own pace, off the usual path, with room for detours and real encounters.
Now, with Dragon Roads, they hope to make that kind of exploration possible for others. They aim to help international travelers go beyond the big cities and into the countryside, mountains, and communities that make up the living fabric of China.
Reindeer Tribe, Inner Mongolia, China
Dragon Roads is a Licensed Travel Agency
You are protected. Dragon Roads is a travel agency licensed in Canada (license 703759). Every booking you make with us — regardless of where you live — is backed by a government-run consumer protection fund (FICAV). We are bound by Canadian consumer protection law, audited annually, and all client funds are held in a dedicated trust account.
We serve clients worldwide. Whether you're joining us from North America, Europe, Asia, or anywhere else, you benefit from the same consumer protections and quality of service.
Dragon Roads operates in both Canada and China. We take care of your planning and payments from our Canadian office, and our China team provide local support from the moment you arrive.
Learn more about your protection
Why Choose Dragon Roads?
Trusted Worldwide
Every booking is held in a regulated trust account and covered by FICAV — a government-administered consumer protection fund that reimburses travelers in full if any booked service isn't delivered as promised. We serve travelers worldwide as a fully licensed Canadian travel agency (#703759).
Drivers, Not Desk Planners
We've personally driven every route we offer. That means we plan around the things maps don't show: which passes close in winter, where to fuel up in remote areas, which viewpoint is worth the climb, and which lunch stop is worth a 30-minute detour.
A Team on the Ground in China
During your trip we're one call or message away 24/7 for translation, rerouting, breakdowns, or last-minute changes. Before you go, we walk through every document, app, and detail so you're fully prepared.
Cancellation Protection
Plans can change. Rebook once with no change fees when requested 45+ days before departure, or cancel and receive a partial refund plus travel credit under our Cancellation Protection terms.
Flexible Itineraries
Make the trip yours before booking. Add nights, change the pace, choose hotels from our catalog, or ask us to build a custom route for you.
Wonderful Hotels
We handpick hotels that surprise you with quality, character, and warm welcomes from their owners. From regional cuisine to memorable settings, each stay brings genuine local charm.
Why Self-drive Trip in China
Discover the magic of China—its ancient past, modern wonders, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes—through a journey shaped by your own perspective.
Our Company Values
Expertise
Every member of our team has lived in and explored China extensively. This isn't just a job for us — it's a passion. Our advisors are not only deeply familiar with the roads less traveled but are also eager and equipped to bring your unique road trip vision to life, no matter how ambitious.
Fair Pricing
We believe in complete pricing transparency — no hidden fees, ever. From car rentals and accommodations to attractions and scenic trails, we connect you directly with high-quality, locally priced options. You'll experience the real China without paying a "foreigner premium."
Reliability
From the moment you start planning your trip with us, to the day you return home, our team is available to assist you — whether it's helping with itinerary adjustments, addressing unexpected challenges on the road, or simply answering your questions. You can count on us!
Simplicity
We thrive to make your experience as simple and smooth as possible. We handle the complexities, so you can focus on the drive, explore, and enjoy. Our itineraries are thoughtfully crafted for international travelers, ensuring a smooth, stress-free adventure from day one to your final destination.
Discovery
You're free to plan and adjust your itinerary as you like. Explore lesser-known places and hiking trails we've selected ourselves, from hidden natural spots to landscapes that show China as it is today. Start planning your trip with our Trip Planner.
Immersiveness
Our trips bring travelers as close as possible to the everyday experiences of local people. You can stay in carefully selected boutique hotels and have opportunities to connect with China's artistic traditions and living culture—offering a genuine and immersive way to experience the country.
Responsible Travel
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. We design authentic, low-impact journeys that benefit local communities, protect natural environments, and respect wildlife—ensuring your travels leave a positive footprint across the places you explore.
Discover What a Self-Drive Adventure in China Feels Like
Swipe cards to explore details.
FAQs about self-drive trips in China
China covers 9.6 million square kilometers of extraordinarily varied landscapes and cultures — and most of it lies beyond the cities. Self-driving is the best way to take it all in at your own pace: you stop where you want, stay as long as you like, and shape the trip around your interests and budget rather than a tour schedule. It's also the fastest-growing way young Chinese travelers explore their own country, so you'll be joining a vibrant, modern road-trip culture.
Yes. You drive in China on the licence you already have. The one extra step is a temporary Chinese driving permit, issued against your licence after you land. There is no driving test and no medical exam. In Beijing or Shanghai it takes about 30 minutes at the traffic police office at the airport, with a few documents. We make sure you arrive with everything ready.
Full answer: The temporary driving permit: can foreigners drive in China and how to get one?
Most of our travelers don’t speak a word of Chinese! We’ve designed this entire journey specifically for non-Chinese speakers. While the language barrier used to be a hurdle, China has made massive strides in welcoming international travelers, and today you’ll find that major infrastructure, road signs, and tourist hubs are clearly marked in both Chinese and English. We ensure you’re fully equipped before you even land with the right tools, including English-language navigation (Amap), WeChat for seamless payments, and translation apps. Once you’re on the road, you’ll have reliable online support from our team for any on-the-ground logistics or translation assistance whenever you need it.
Full answer: What Chinese do I need to know for a road trip in China?
Citizens of 40+ countries can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — you may not need a visa at all. Policies change, so check your eligibility before booking. If you do need a visa, the process is straightforward — we recommend applying about a month before your trip. As a general rule, your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining beyond your travel dates. Need help? Get in touch and we'll guide you through it.
Self-drive China for international travellers is all we do — and with us, it’s simple. We review every itinerary against your actual travel dates — season, climate, local conditions — and tailor the journey around what we find, steering you away from the routes that look great on a map but don’t work in practice. We book what needs booking, so you won’t be turned away. We walk you through everything before you fly, from network to payment setup, so nothing surprises you on arrival. And we know every hotel we recommend — down to the parking and the breakfast. Then, once you’re on the road, we provide step-by-step guides for the day-to-day logistics, and our team in China is always reachable — questions, help, local tips, anytime.
By law, as a licensed Canadian travel agency (license 703759) operating under the Consumer Protection Office (OPC), all client funds are strictly held in a designated trust account. This ensures your money is always safe and available exclusively for your travel bookings. Furthermore, by working with Dragon Roads, you are also automatically protected by the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (FICAV), which provides full reimbursement should you not receive the services you paid for due to the financial failure of a service provider.
There is always a region in season. June to September for Xinjiang, the Silk Road and Inner Mongolia; spring and autumn for Yunnan, Guizhou and the east near Shanghai; winter for Yunnan and Guizhou. Avoid the first week of October, the Chinese New Year week and the first days of May, when the whole country travels.
Full answer: Best road trips in China: which region to drive, and when
