Northwest China — Big Landscapes and the Silk Road

Best for: Experienced drivers and travelers who want space, scale, and scenery.

Provinces: Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai.

This is where many of China's classic self-drive routes are. Landscapes shift quickly — one moment you're crossing a snowy mountain pass, the next you're in open grasslands, then forests, then sand dunes. Two standout routes:

  • Ili River Valley (northern Xinjiang): grasslands backed by snow-capped mountains, plus rich wildlife and plants.

  • Qinghai–Gansu Loop: Silk Road history, ancient sites, and a mix of desert, grassland, and mountain scenery.

The region is also culturally diverse — Muslim communities in Xinjiang, Buddhist heritage in Gansu, and Tibetan life in Qinghai. Food is simple and tasty (beef, lamb, noodles), and the fruit is excellent. Distances are long, but much of the scenery is right along the road.

Southwest China — Mountains, Gorges, and Ethnic Cultures

Best for: Nature lovers and culture explorers.

Provinces: Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan.

Snow mountains, deep gorges, hidden caves, and even tropical rainforests all in one region. It also has the largest concentration of ethnic minority groups in China — many still keep their own languages, clothing, and festivals.

Highlights include Shangri-La in northern Yunnan, Miao villages in Guizhou, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the Yubeng trail. The food is bold — this is the birthplace of hotpot — and Yunnan alone has over a third of the world's edible mushroom species. Because there's so much to see, we usually recommend focusing on one province per trip.

Note: Tibet cannot currently be visited independently by foreign travelers, but you can experience Tibetan culture on self-drive trips through Yunnan, Qinghai, and Sichuan.

North China — Grasslands and Nomadic Culture

Best for: First-time self-drive travelers in China, and families.

Region: Inner Mongolia (Hulunbuir Grassland).

Hulunbuir is one of the world's four largest grasslands and makes a great summer getaway thanks to cool temperatures. It borders the Greater Khingan forest and sits near Russia and Mongolia, so you'll notice a real mix of cultures. Food is generous northeastern Chinese fare, plus grassland beef, lamb, and dairy — and some surprisingly good Russian dishes.

Activities include horseback riding, forest hikes, and nights in traditional yurts. Roads are well connected and easy to drive, and it's just a 2-hour flight from Beijing.

East China — Ancient Towns and Easy Driving

Best for: Everyone — short drives, high comfort.

Provinces: Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui.

The Yangtze River Delta has excellent roads and more nature and history than many travelers expect. Old capitals, canal towns, bamboo forests, tea plantations, and mountains — all within a few hours of each other. Highlights: West Lake in Hangzhou, Anji's Sea of Bamboo, the water town of Wuzhen, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

The food is rich in rice, fish, and shrimp — fresh and regionally diverse. Summers are warm and humid, so locals often head to the nearby mountains to cool off. Best of all, you can start right from Shanghai without needing a domestic flight, which keeps things simple and flexible.

Which One Is Right for You?

  • First road trip in China, or traveling with family? North (Inner Mongolia - Hulunbuir).

  • Want big, dramatic landscapes and don't mind long drives? Northwest.

  • Love nature, food, and ethnic cultures in one trip? Southwest.

  • Short on time or flying into Shanghai? East.

Whichever region you pick, try to plan 2–3 months ahead for the best routes and vehicles. Safe travels — and if you'd like help putting a route together, we're happy to lend a hand.