We Make Road Tripping in China
Easy and Unforgettable
We believe exploring China by car is a truly unique and memorable experience.
But we also understand that organizing such a trip can be daunting, especially for international travelers.
Our team manages your travel logistics from start to finish. We handle all the planning - saving you days of research - while securing the best pricing and ensuring there are no surprises. Once you arrive in China, we are right there with you, pairing you with your own personal travel assistant for instant tips and support via call or chat.
We provide the security of a guided tour with the freedom of the open road.
To ensure your experience is seamless, we've structured our support into five clear stages:
1 Discovery.
Start with a free 20-minute consultation call even before you book with us. We'll answer your high-level questions, help you understand the local landscape, and select the perfect itinerary based on your travel style and interests. It's free, with absolutely no obligation!
2 Planning.
Use the Dragon Roads Trip Planner to customize your route and receive an instant, transparent quote. Our advisors then review your plan to verify logistical timing and road conditions, ensuring your itinerary is fully viable.
3 Booking.
Once you confirm your trip and pay the deposit, we take over the logistics. Our team books your hotels, domestic flights and activities requiring advance booking, securing all necessary reservations on your behalf.
4 Pre-Departure.
We provide step-by-step assistance to help you get your temporary driving permit in China and guide you through the car rental booking process. We also help you set up payment and other useful apps to make your trip that much more convenient and practical before you arrive.
5 Road tripping.
Our team in China is right there from the moment you arrive - navigate with confidence using a live hotline from our team based in China. We provide real-time support for on-the-ground needs such as rental car pickup and return, refueling, parking, and communication, alongside personalized recommendations for local dining and hidden gems.
All services above come standard with any trip package—no hidden fees, no add-ons required
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.
Schedule a free 20-minute callDragon 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
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
