Driving in China is one of the most rewarding — and most misunderstood — ways to travel the country. The roads are generally excellent. The scenery on the great highway routes (G318, the Yunnan small-loop, the Xinjiang northern loop) is extraordinary. The freedom of stopping where you want, when you want, in a country where much of the most beautiful scenery lies between population centres, is genuinely different from train-and-bus travel.
The challenge is the regulatory environment. Foreign driving licences are not valid in mainland China without a conversion process. This guide explains exactly what foreigners can and cannot do, and how to access self-drive travel if it interests you.
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Can Foreigners Drive in China?
The short answer: Yes, but not directly with an international driving permit.
China does not honour International Driving Permits (IDPs). Foreign driving licences are also not directly valid in mainland China. To drive legally in China, foreign visitors must obtain a Temporary Driving Permit (临时驾驶许可证).
Who can get a Temporary Driving Permit:
- Holders of valid foreign driving licences from most countries
- People who have been in China for fewer than 3 months
- Applicants passing a basic road rules test (questions are available in English and multiple other languages)
The process:
- Present your valid home-country driving licence at a Chinese DMV (交管所/车管所)
- Show your passport
- Pass a short multiple-choice test (typically 20 questions in English, requiring 12+ correct)
- Pay a fee (approximately ¥100–200)
- Receive a temporary driving permit valid for up to 3 months
The process typically takes half a day. Major cities have DMV offices accustomed to processing foreigners. The Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing offices handle the most foreign applications and have English-speaking staff.
Note: This permit allows driving in mainland China only. Driving in Hong Kong uses UK rules (left-hand drive) and requires a separate permit.
Practical alternatives: Many visitors who want self-drive flexibility hire a Chinese-licenced local driver (driver + car, approximately ¥600–1,500 per day depending on vehicle and distance) rather than going through the permit process. This is common practice for major road trip routes.
The Greatest Road Trip Routes in China
1. G318: Chengdu to Tibet (The Sichuan-Tibet Highway)
Distance: Approximately 2,150km from Chengdu to Lhasa Driving time: 10–14 days at a sightseeing pace Difficulty: High — altitude, mountain passes, limited services in remote sections
The G318 is consistently named among the world’s greatest drives. From Chengdu, the road climbs steadily through the Hengduan mountain range, crossing multiple passes above 4,000 metres, passing through the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and eventually descending into the Brahmaputra Valley before reaching Lhasa.
The route in sections:
- Chengdu to Kangding (approximately 7 hours): The first significant mountain crossing (Erlang Mountain tunnel now makes this faster). The Luding Bridge — site of a famous Long March battle — is a historical stop.
- Kangding to Litang (approximately 5 hours): The road climbs above 4,000 metres. Litang (4,014m) is one of the highest towns in the world. Tibetan culture becomes dominant here.
- Litang to Batang (approximately 4 hours): Crossing the border from Sichuan into Tibet requires the Tibet Travel Permit (see below).
- Batang to Markam and the Yunnan junction: The Jinsha River valley. Spectacular canyon scenery.
- Onwards to Lhasa via Chamdo, Riwoche, and Baxoi: Remote, dramatic, passes above 4,700m.
Tibet Travel Permit: To enter the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), foreign visitors require a specific Tibet Travel Permit in addition to their Chinese visa. Independent self-drive into Tibet is not permitted for foreigners — you must have an approved group tour (minimum 2 people with a registered Tibetan tour company). See our Tibet travel guide for details.
Altitude sickness: Ascending too quickly above 3,500 metres causes Acute Mountain Sickness in many people. The standard advice is to spend 2 nights at altitude before ascending further. Symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness) that do not resolve within 24 hours require immediate descent. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is commonly prescribed preventatively.
2. The Yunnan Small Loop (Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La)
Distance: Approximately 750km round loop from Kunming Driving time: 5–7 days at a sightseeing pace Difficulty: Moderate — altitude increases toward Shangri-La (3,200m), good road surfaces
This is the most accessible of China’s great road trip routes for a first-time driver. The Yunnan Loop connects four distinctly beautiful areas and can be done without the altitude extremes of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Kunming to Dali (approximately 4 hours): The highway is fast and modern. Consider a scenic detour via Lunan Stone Forest (World Heritage Site, approximately 90 minutes from Kunming) on the way.
Dali: Erhai Lake circuit (50km) is best driven at leisure over a morning, stopping at lakeside Bai minority villages. The old town is walkable; the lake rewards a slow drive with multiple stop points.
Dali to Lijiang (approximately 2.5 hours): Fast highway. Consider the longer scenic route via Jianchuan (ancient Bai village town) as an alternative.
Lijiang: The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain road (approximately 30km circuit) offers the best high-altitude views near Lijiang without the commitment of the Sichuan-Tibet road.
Lijiang to Shangri-La (approximately 3.5 hours): The highway follows the Jinsha River gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge — one of the world’s deepest river gorges — is accessible from the road for a 2–3 hour hike or viewpoint stop. Shangri-La (Zhongdian) at 3,200 metres requires one night of altitude acclimatisation.
Return to Kunming: Via Lijiang or direct highway from Shangri-La.
3. Xinjiang Northern Loop (Urumqi → Kanas Lake → Hemu → Kashgar)
Distance: Approximately 3,000km for the full northern loop Driving time: 10–14 days Difficulty: High — distances are vast, some roads unpaved, limited fuel stations in remote sections
The Xinjiang northern loop is China’s version of a Central Asian road trip — steppes, snow peaks, pastoral Kazakh and Mongolian communities, and the extraordinary landscape of Kanas Lake.
Urumqi to Kanas Lake (approximately 700km, 8–10 hours): The road passes through the Junggar Basin, entering the Altai Mountain foothills. Kanas Lake, at 1,370 metres in the Altai, is the most beautiful lake in Xinjiang — a deep glacial lake surrounded by Siberian taiga forest.
Kanas to Hemu Village (approximately 40km): This short drive on a partly unpaved road leads to Hemu — a Tuvan minority village in a valley of extraordinary pastoral beauty. Autumn (September–October) turns the surrounding forest gold; winter brings deep snow. One of China’s most photographed rural landscapes.
Hemu to Kashgar (approximately 1,500km via the highway network): The long southward return passes through Urumqi or cuts south through the Tianshan range. The desert highway crosses the Taklimakan — consider a drive along the Taklimakan Desert Highway (the world’s longest highway through shifting sand) for perspective.
Kashgar: A day’s rest and exploration of the Sunday Market and old city before the return.
Practical notes for Xinjiang driving: Checkpoints are frequent in Xinjiang; have your passport and permit documentation readily accessible. Fuel stations are sparse in remote areas — fill up whenever the opportunity presents. Offline maps (downloaded in advance) are essential as mobile data coverage is unreliable in the far north.
4. Guizhou Ethnic Villages Loop
Distance: Approximately 500km from Guiyang Driving time: 4–5 days Difficulty: Low-moderate — good roads, moderate altitude, no permits required
The least-known major road trip route in China and arguably the most culturally rewarding. Southeast Guizhou is home to densely clustered Miao and Dong minority villages — traditional communities with wooden tower architecture, drum towers, and cultural festivals.
Guiyang to Kaili: Base city for the Miao village region.
Kaili area villages: Langde, Matang, Qingman, Basha — each 30–60 minutes from Kaili on winding mountain roads. The silver jewellery and embroidery traditions of the Miao are genuinely extraordinary.
The Dong villages of Qiandongnan: Xijiang (the largest Miao village in the world — terraced architecture on a hillside), Zhaoxing (five Dong drum towers within a single village), and the covered wind-rain bridges.
Return to Guiyang: Via Huangguoshu Waterfall (China’s largest, genuinely impressive).
Car Rental in China for Foreigners
Most major Chinese car rental companies — including those operating as partners of international brands (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise) — have formal requirements that complicate rental for foreign visitors:
Requirements typically include:
- Valid Chinese driving licence OR temporary driving permit (see above)
- Chinese bank card or large cash deposit
- Some companies require the temporary permit to have been issued specifically in the city where you are renting
Practical recommendation: For most international visitors, renting a car with a driver (自驾游租车加司机) is a more practical approach than self-drive for the same cost or slightly more. The driver handles navigation, communicates at checkpoints and fuel stations, and knows the roads. This is how most foreign visitors access road trip destinations in China.
Where to arrange driver+car: Through your hotel concierge, through specialised tour operators, or through Chinese travel apps (Mafengwo, Ctrip). Always agree on the itinerary, stops, and total price before departure.
Essential Road Trip Practical Tips
Navigation: Amap (Gaode Maps) is the most reliable navigation app in China. Download offline maps for your route regions before departure. Phone signal in mountain areas and Xinjiang’s remote sections is inconsistent.
Fuel: China uses 92#, 95#, and 98# octane petrol. Modern rental cars use 95# standard. Fill up at every opportunity in remote areas. PetroChina and Sinopec stations are the most common.
Speed cameras: Extremely common on all major Chinese highways. Obey speed limits — cameras issue automatic fines and rental companies pass these to the driver. Speed limits: 120 km/h on expressways, 80–100 km/h on national highways, 60 km/h in towns.
Tolls: Chinese expressways charge tolls automatically via ETC (electronic) or manual lanes. Rental cars are equipped with ETC cards; the costs are deducted and billed with the rental.
Emergency: Call 122 for traffic accidents. The emergency number is 110 for general police assistance. The DiDi app has a safety feature that can call emergency services.
Checkpoints (in Xinjiang and Tibet): Carry your passport and all permits at all times. Be prepared for ID checks, vehicle searches, and phone inspections at checkpoints in sensitive regions. This is normal and routine — cooperate straightforwardly.
Road Trips That Don’t Require a Car Rental
For travellers who want the road trip experience without the driving complexity, China has excellent self-drive with guide driver options, and some routes are accessible by public transport with a road-trip feel:
Sichuan-Tibet Highway by motorcycle — local tour operators in Chengdu and Kangding arrange guided motorcycle tours that follow the G318 with experienced local riders; suitable for experienced motorcyclists.
Yunnan loop by hired driver — ¥800–1,200 per day for a private car with driver; fully bookable through Yunnan tour operators in Kunming or Lijiang.
Xinjiang loop by rented car + local guide driver — Urumqi tour operators specialise in this format; competitive pricing for the full northern loop.
Related guides: Yunnan Province Guide | Xinjiang Kanas & Hemu Village Guide | Tibet Complete Guide | Silk Road Route Guide