Drive from Australia to China, Road Trip to China by Car from Australia

The idea of a road trip from Australia to China, using your own car, motorcycle or other vehicle, presents a number of major challenges. Firstly, there is no direct driving route from Australia to east Asia, because Australia is an island. On top of this, China also has strict laws governing the use of foreign-registered vehicles on its roads. However, none of these obstacles are impossible to overcome and a drive from Australia to China can provide you with an amazing sense of adventure and the ability to explore China the way you would like to. In this article, we look at some of the possible routes for your trip, as well as the paperwork and other preparation that will be involved.

The first and most significant challenge when it comes to getting your car or motorcycle from Australia to China involves shipping your vehicle across the ocean and into Asia. Factoring in distance, cost and ability to drive to China, your best options here are likely to be to ship your vehicle to either Peninsular Malaysia, or Singapore. Regardless of which of these options you choose, you will need to travel through southeast Asia, usually passing through Thailand and Laos, before crossing the border into China. Most likely, this will mean driving through Mengla County, in the Yunnan province, which is situated in the south west of the country.

There may be potential to deviate from this basic path. For example, it is possible to bypass Laos and travel from Thailand to Myanmar, which also offers access to the Yunnan province. Some travellers may also wish to see other countries in the region, such as Vietnam, en route. However, this basic path is likely to be the most efficient option, while still providing you with the ability to enjoy time on the road and explore both southeast and east Asia. You will need to check some of the specific travel requirements for each of the countries you travel into along the way, such as whether you need a visa or entry card, and what information or data they need from you.

Feasibility of driving from Australia to china with own car

Is it possible to travel from Australia to China or South East Asia by Motor vehicles? Yes, this is possible. Every year there are people who have done it. They drive normal cars, motor homes, old timer, trucks, buses, vintage cars, pure electric vehicles, and even ride motorcycles to China, India or Southeast Asia.

How to drive into china with a Australia-registered vehicle?

Because China is not a party to the United Nations International Treaty on Land Transport, international driving licenses are not recognized in China. using ATA Carnet or Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) to temporary import the used vehicles of tourists into China is not currently feasible. Tourists’ vehicles need to be registered after entering China and they must obtain temporary Chinese number plates to drive on the road. Therefore, tourists driving in China and driving on Chinese roads usually need to complete the following procedures

Therefore, foreign tourists who want to drive own car/motorbike into China and drive on Chinese roads usually need to complete the following procedures:

• Passport (valid for six months)
• Chinese tourist visa (It is recommended to apply in in your own country, of course, it is also possible in a third country, but if possible, apply in your own country)
• Temporary import of vehicles into China (via a China Travel Agency)
• Apply for a temporary driver’s license in China (via a China Travel Agency)
• Apply for Chinese temporary number plate (via a China Travel Agency)
• Need local guide (via a China Travel Agency)

Chinese travel agencies usually ask for following Materials and documents

• Passport, valid for at least 6 months
• Chinese tourist visa
• Vehicle registration certificate
• Vehicle inspection report (TÜV, MOT, DEKRA, ContrôleTechnique, ITV etc.)
• National driving license (no international driving license required in China)
• Vehicle photos
• ID photo of the driver (people who want to get Chinese temporary driver license)

Apply china visa in Australia

You can apply for a Chinese tourist visa(L Visa) in your home country, or you can apply for Chinese tourist visa in a third country on the road. If conditions permit, we always recommend that you apply in your home country. To apply for a Chinese visa in your home country, you need to ensure that your visa is still valid when you reach the Chinese border. Following are places for applying china visa in Australia.

• Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Canberra
• Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Sydney
• Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Melbourne
• Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Brisbane
• Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Perth

Road Trip from Australia to China

With your basic route mapped out, you need to also consider the extensive preparation work that goes into organising a road trip from Australia to China. For instance, you must contend with country’s laws on foreign-registered cars, motorbikes and other vehicles, along with China’s non-acceptance of international driving permits or foreign licences.

As China is not signed up to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, or any other similar agreement, you will need to obtain a valid Chinese driving permit. Working with a tour operator with local contacts, as well as knowledge of the country, language and legislation, it should be possible to obtain a temporary licence.

On top of this, however, you will also need to register your vehicle, so that you can actually import it. Again, working with a local tour operator can greatly reduce the complexity of this process. You are going to need evidence of an up-to-date MOT, as well as images of your vehicle, and you may also be questioned on the specifics of your trip. During your time travelling around China, a Chinese tour guide will also have to accompany you.

Finally, individual areas within China could require specific travel permits, so you will need to have a clear idea of where you intend to travel and then check the requirements for each province, region or city.

The following are the most commonly used routes for Australia-China:

Route 1(Shipping your vehicle to Malaysia): Malaysia-Thailand-Laos-China

Route 2: Shipping your vehicle directly to china

Road trip from Australia to india

Route 1(Shipping your vehicle to Malaysia): Malaysia-Thailand-Laos-China-Pakistan-India

Route 2(Shipping your vehicles to Malaysia): Malaysia-Thailand-Laos-China -(entering nepal from tibet) – Nepal – India

Route 3(Shipping your vehicles to Thailand or Myanmar): Thailand – Myanmar – India

Road trip from Australia to Europe

Route 1: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – Mongolia – Russia – Europe

Route 2: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan-Russia-Ukraine-Other European countries

Route 3: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey-Other European countries

*You can ship you vehicle to Malaysia, thailand or china, then continue to europe.