Planning a self-drive road trip in China
If you are planning a road trip in China, you are in the right place. Here we talk about what a road trip is like, whether you can drive as a foreigner, and where and when to go.
What is a road trip in China like?
We have driven more than 20,000 km in China, and road tripping here was an amazing and unforgettable experience. In 2023 we packed our two young children into a car and drove around China for a year. Everything on this site comes from our experience during that year and from the many trips we have run since.
Why did we love so much?
The landscapes are a big part of it - driving through stunning landscapes from bamboo forests to grasslands, deserts and mountains. And what you see along the way. We drove through ancient Chinese villages, saw many Buddhist temples with their golden roofs and through engineering wonders like suspended bridge and tunnels.
We also loved that it feels like an adventure every time, but at the same time, travelling in China is very comfortable: great roads, charming hotels to stay at, authentic local restaurants serving delicious regional foods, coffee shops with amazing views.
And we found that a road trip is a great way to meet people and talk with them as well, even if it starts with a translation app and a good laugh.
And then there is the freedom to stop anywhere we want, which for us is the biggest plus of all. Did you spot a pretty little village beside the road, a lovely place by a river with nomads and their sheep, or a Buddhist temple tucked away in the mountains?
Just stop the car and enjoy it.
This is something a bus tour cannot provide. And that's also why self-drive trips is so popular among locals.
Dragon Roads founders on a road trip with kids in Gansu in 2025.
Is it for everyone?
Honestly, no. A road trip in China is a safe and memorable adventure that you will not forget. But we want to be 100% upfront: it is for people who enjoy immersing themselves in a new culture and enjoy trying new things, from new food to new digital way to pay. , b by themselves and explorstoppggoing alone to a new spot exploring tyrying local using a away from touristsic hitsotspots However, with planning, guidance and support from a company like Dragon Roads, a self-drive trip in China is a far easier experience that most people imagine. n And after such an immersive experience, you will go home with a much deeper understanding of China than if you had only seen the touristic areas hotspots of China - and nothing in between.
Kids were playing near Lugu Lake in Yunnan.
Can I drive in China as a foreigner?
Yes, you can, and on the licence you already have. The one extra step is a temporary Chinese driving permit, which the traffic police issue after you land. At the Shanghai and Beijing airports it takes about 30 minutes, and there is no driving test. The guide below walks you through it.
Where should I go, and when?
China is about the size of Europe, so our advice is to pick one region and enjoy it properly, rather than try to see everything in one trip. Which region depends a lot on the month you can travel, and the good news is that there is always one in season.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of many countries can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. The guide has the country list and a change log, because these rules move often.
How long do I need?
Add the flights to the days for the region. From Europe or North America you land in Shanghai or Beijing, and most regions need one more domestic flight of two to five hours. We plan the first driving day short, and never straight off the international flight.
- A week: the east from Shanghai, or Inner Mongolia from Beijing with the domestic flight.
- Ten days to two weeks: Yunnan, Guizhou, Xinjiang or the Silk Road, with a day at each end for the flights and the permit.
- Three weeks: the northwest at a comfortable pace, or two regions with a flight between them.
Jet lag from Europe is six or seven hours, from the American east coast around twelve. Plan the permit visit for the day you land or the day after, and the pick-up after that.
Making a drone stop on a national road across Qinghai's vast, open land
Your planning checklist
- Get inspired. Look at the regions and the destinations, and see what makes you want to go.
- Pick your region and month. Match the region to the season, and stay clear of the Chinese holiday weeks: Best road trips in China: which region to drive, and when.
- Browse the trips. Our road trips show what fits in a week, ten days or two weeks. Open two or three and read the itinerary day by day: the distances, the stops, the hotels.
- Check the paperwork. The visa, and the driving permit.
- Work out the budget. The car, the tolls, the fuel, and what the rest of the trip costs: What does it cost to rent a car in China?
- Book, or ask us first. Two to three months ahead is enough for a normal trip, four to five for July, August or a holiday week. If you are not sure which region fits your dates, ask us. We are happy to look at it with you.
View from our room in a traditional Tibetan village hidden in western Sichuan.
Which region should I drive in each season?
In spring, the east from Shanghai, Yunnan or Guizhou, and Xinjiang and the Silk Road from late April, with warm clothes for the nights. In summer, Inner Mongolia for an easy first trip, or Xinjiang, Qinghai and Gansu for the big landscapes; the highlands of Yunnan and Guizhou stay cool. In autumn, the northwest, and October is the month: Qinghai and Gansu with the poplars, or Xinjiang before the Duku Highway closes. In winter, Yunnan or Guizhou for mild days and empty roads, or the east for short drives, but not the north or the northwest. The month-by-month table is in Best road trips in China.
When should I not travel?
The first week of October, the Chinese New Year holidays, and the first days of May, unless you book three months ahead and accept the crowds at the famous sights. The dates are in Best road trips in China.
How far ahead should I book?
At least two to three months ahead. Hotels in the northwest and the north could sell out in summer.
Can I fly into one city and out of another?
Yes. Most of our routes are loops from one airport, which keeps the rental simple. Where a one-way rental makes a better trip, we check the fee and build it in.
Can foreigners stay in any hotel in China?
No. Not all hotels in China take foreign guests, usually because the staff aren't familiar with the registration process. Every hotel on our routes does. The detail is on Hotel stays in China.
Will altitude be a problem?
For most people, it's a headache on the first evening above 3,000 m, and nothing more. Our routes climb slowly unless otherwise specified.
What about travelling with children?
We did the whole country with two. Inner Mongolia and the east are the easiest first trips: short drives, hotels with pools, grasslands to run on. Bring or buy a child seat; the rental company will not have one. If you travel with us, we will arrange the child seat for you.
Our summer trips in Northern Xinjiang include a camping experience near Xiannv Lake.
Next step
Once the trip is chosen, the next stage takes you from the booking to the first drive.
The Plan guides
Continue the journey
