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

The idea of a road trip to China is appealing to many people, with Europe serving as a common starting point. If you are hoping to drive from France to China, you are likely to need assistance from a tour operator that has experience in planning such a journey, and you will also need to be prepared for some difficulties along the way.

Firstly, China has strict laws about foreign drivers bringing vehicles into the country and driving on Chinese roads. While these laws do not completely prohibit foreign travellers from driving in the country, they are intended to make it difficult and China is not a signatory of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which complicates matters.

Secondly, the journey itself is long and requires travel across many national borders and even across continents. However, with careful preparation, it is perfectly possible to explore China via road, travelling from France.

Assuming you are planning to travel to China in your own vehicle and then take that vehicle into the country, there can be significant paperwork involved and it is advisable to work with a tour operator for this. A good tour operator, like Road Pioneer, will be able to assist you with the process, ensuring you do not overlook key aspects. In particular, you will need to obtain a tourist visa, complete all of the paperwork to temporarily import your car or motorcycle to China, and obtain a valid Chinese driving licence. For most visitors, a temporary licence will suffice, but some visitors may need a full licence, which will require you to pass a theory test. You will need photos of your vehicle from all angles, an up-to-date MOT, a valid licence from your own country and an official translation copy. You will also need to acquire temporary Chinese number plates, which will be fitted to your vehicle. Finally, you must check regulations within each of the individual Chinese provinces you intend to visit.

Feasibility of driving from France to china with own car

Is it possible to travel from France 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 France-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, Contrôle Technique, 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 France

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 France.

• Paris
• Marseille
• Strasbourg
• Lyon

Road Trip from France to China

Away from the logistical side of things, another potential obstacle when planning a road trip from France to China is the distance involved. Even taking the fastest route, your journey will usually require more than 100 hours’ worth of driving time and this does not include the time you will need to spend resting and recuperating.

A basic route is to head east from France, through Germany, Poland and Belarus, before heading into Russia. Then, travel south, through Kazakhstan and pass through either Kyrgyzstan or Mongolia, before reaching China itself. You will need to check visa requirements along the way, especially with regards to Russia. There are other routes possible, especially for travellers who have a keen interest in some of the surrounding countries, but these routes will be longer. Furthermore, these routes can also become significantly more complicated, as some of these countries have very strict laws of their own, so you should think carefully before deviating too much.

If you are driving from France to China, basically Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan are ideal countries for entering China. These two countries are the choices of most people. You should consider the political situation and visa policy when choosing a route. Following are example routes of driving from France to China.

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

Route 1(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China

Route 2(Entering China from Mogolia): France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin-Uud-China

Route 3(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): France-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China

Route 4(Entering China from Pakistan): France-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please refer to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel security tips)-Pakistan-China

Road Trip from France to India

Route 1: France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang)-Pakistan-India

Route 2: France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang, Tibet)-Nepal-India

Route 3: France-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please refer to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel security tips)-Pakistan-India

Road Trip from France to South East Asia

Route 1: France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China-Laos-Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 2: France-Germany-Poland-Belarus-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin-Uud-China-Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 3: France-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China-Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 4: France-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Bulgaria-Turkey-Iran-(Many governments will advise their citizens to stay away from the Iran-Pakistan border, please check the latest travel security tips from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)-Pakistan-India-Myanmar-Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.