Guides to driving yourself across China

Dragon Roads is a licensed travel agency with offices in China and Canada, founded in 2026 by a Sino-Swiss team that knows the country inside and out. Every itinerary we offer has been driven, tested, and refined by us personally — not pulled from a brochure. Learn more on our Read more page.

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

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

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.Full answer

Renting a car in China is actually a lot simpler than you might think — the local car rental industry is large, mature, and well-organized. For international travelers planning a road trip in China, the top recommendation is eHi Car Services (Yi Hai), the Chinese partner of Enterprise — and the choice of most of our clients. eHi offers an English website, a full English app, and even an English-speaking hotline. If you book your road trip with Dragon Roads, we'll walk you through every step — from installing the app to handing back the keys.Full answer