How to Rent a Car in China
Explore China's breathtaking scenery at your own pace by renting a car and discovering hidden gems. eHi Car Services is recommended for their reliability and foreign-user-friendly services.
Last update: May 27, 2026
China is vast and breathtakingly scenic—truly a destination that rewards deeper exploration. If you'd like to avoid crowded tour groups, take full control of your itinerary, and discover hidden gems known only to locals, renting a car and driving yourself is undoubtedly the best choice. Free from rigid schedules and fixed routes, you can stop whenever you like—to take photos, rest, or explore off-the-beaten-path attractions that haven’t yet made it onto mainstream travel guides.
Recommended Major Car Rental Companies:
For self-driving in China, we recommend eHi Car Services (Yi Hai) or CAR Inc. (Shenzhou). These are China’s leading car rental platforms—comparable to international brands like Hertz in the U.S. Both companies own their fleets, ensuring well-maintained, reliable vehicles, professional and friendly service staff, and efficient, user-friendly rental processes that deliver a safe and worry-free driving experience. You can book a car up to 6 months in advance.
Rental payments (including deposits) must be completed via Alipay or WeChat, so please prepare these Apps in advance.
eHi Car Services (一嗨租车) - The letter "e" is pronounced the same as the number "1" in Chinese
Accepts registration with non-Chinese phone numbers
Offers an English app and an English website/app
Websites:
Chinese: https://www.1hai.cn Download the bilingual app (strongly recommended).
English: https://en.1hai.cn
Overview: One of China’s largest car rental chains, with coverage across major cities and popular tourist destinations. Features bilingual (Chinese/English) websites and is highly accessible for international travelers.
Read our guide: How to book your car with eHi?
CAR Inc. (神州租车)
Accepts registration with non-Chinese phone numbers
Offers an Chinese app (with screen translator) and an English website
Websites:
Chinese Website: https://www.zuche.com
English Website: https://g.zuche.com (currently only available for rentals in Beijing)
Overview: Another leading national car rental brand, with extensive coverage in major cities and airports across China. Offers a wide selection of vehicle models. Services are becoming increasingly accessible and foreigner-friendly.
International Brands (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc.):
These companies currently operate only in China's first-tier cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and are generally not available in most popular regions for road trips.
Note: Enterprise Rent-A-Car (and the broader Enterprise Holdings group) provides car rental coverage in China through its Chinese partner, eHi Car Services. Check out Enterprise's website.
We also recommend using eHi Car Services because Dragon Roads and its customers have consistently used eHi and are satisfied with their service. Additionally, you can book a car through their English-language app/website without needing a Chinese phone number.
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Child Safety Seat
Planning a self-drive trip in China with young children? Ensure their safety by preparing a child safety seat in advance, as it's a crucial requirement for all children under 4 or shorter than 1.4 meters.
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Applying for a temporary driver’s permit in Shanghai? You’ll need a certified translation of your driver’s license—and you can even get it online.
How to book your car with eHi?
Planning a road trip in China? Before booking your car with eHi (Enterprise’s official partner in China), make sure you have an active phone, valid email, passport, and temporary Chinese driving permit—and don’t forget to request an ETC-enabled car for seamless highway travel!
Ready to start your adventure?
The road to an unforgettable Chinese journey begins with a simple conversation. Whether you have a specific route in mind or just want to learn more about how self-driving in China works, we are here to help.
