Driving from Malaysia to China, Road Trip to China By Car From Malaysia

Travelling to China by car is an exciting prospect for many adventure-seeking tourists, because it offers the freedom to explore the country at your own pace and offers access to parts of the country that can be difficult to reach via public transport. Many people opt to either start from Malaysia, or pass through the country en route to China. However, it is fair to say that a road trip to China by car from Malaysia also presents some challenges, such as the distance involved, the potential need to ship your vehicle, and China’s laws on foreign drivers. Here, you will find valuable information about the preparation that will be required and some of the most efficient routes.

Regardless of whether you live in Malaysia, are starting your road trip there, or are using it as a rest point along the way, you will need to prepare extensively for your journey. In particular, two of the main challenges you will face are China’s approach to foreign drivers and China’s approach to vehicles registered in foreign countries. When it comes to the first challenge, it is important to understand that the Chinese government does not allow visitors to drive on its roads using a foreign driving licence or an international driving permit. Instead, if you intend to drive in China, you will need to apply for your own Chinese driving licence. For most visitors, the process here has become easier in recent times and it should be possible to apply for a temporary licence, without needing to pass any tests. You will need a valid licence from your own country and a translation copy. Working with a tour operator that has first-hand experience of the process is highly recommended.

With regards to bringing a foreign-registered vehicle into China, the process can be complicated, so expert assistance is advised here too. You will need to have an up-to-date MOT and pictures of your vehicle from the front, back and sides. When you arrive at the border, you will be required to collect and attach Chinese number plates. You will also need an approved tour guide to accompany you. Make a clear itinerary, so that you know which provinces you intend to drive in during your stay, as you may be asked questions about this. It is also important to check specific requirements for each province, as some parts of China require special travel permits.

Feasibility of driving from Malaysia to china with own car

Is it possible to travel from Malaysia 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 Europe.

How to drive into china with Malaysia-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 Malaysia

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 malaysia.

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur
Address: Level 5 & 6, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Business Hours: Monday-Friday. Closed on Saturdays,Sundays and Public Holidays.
Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Call: 603 2176 0888
Fax: 603 2161 2234
E-mail: klcentre@visaforchina.org

Visa Office in Penang
Business Hours: Monday-Friday. Closed on Saturdays,Sundays and Public Holidays.
Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Address: Ground Floor,17 Lebuh Bishop,10200 Georgetown,Pulau Pinang
Call: 603 2176 0888
Fax: 604 2519 785
E-mail: penangcentre@visaforchina.org

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kuching
Address: 2nd Floor，Wisma Naim 21/2 Mile, Rock Road, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Business Hour: Monday – Friday (except holidays)
Visa application: 9:00 – 15:00（urgent application 10:00）
Payment and collection: 9:00 – 16:00
Contact information
Tel: 082-259885
Fax: 082-256885
E-mail: kuchingcenter@visaforchina.org

Road Trip from Malaysia to China

When driving from Malaysia to China, the most efficient route will depend on whether you are starting from Peninsular Malaysia or East Malaysia. If it is the former, the best basic route is likely to be travelling through Thailand and Laos, before arriving in China. An alternative would be to travel through Vietnam or Myanmar instead of Laos.

If you are travelling from East Malaysia, you will need to ship your vehicle first. You could ship to Peninsular Malaysia and follow the route above, but it may be easier to ship your car to Thailand instead. Your decision on the most efficient route will, of course, also be affected by where in China you are hoping to travel to.

Make sure you check visa requirements for each country you pass through along the way. It is likely that a road trip to China by car from Malaysia will span thousands of miles, especially if you are heading to Beijing or Shanghai. You should plan out where you will stop to rest, and give yourself plenty of time to actually make the journey.

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

Route 1(Entering China from Laos): Malaysia-Thailand-Laos-China

Route 2(Entering China from Myanmar): Malaysia-Thailand-Myanmar-China

Route 3(Entering China from Vietnam): Malaysia-Thailand-Cambodia or Laos-Vietnam-China

*In Myanmar and Vietnam you will need local tour operator and tour guide, so costs of Route 2 or Route 3 will be higher than route 1.

Road Trip from Malaysia to India

Route 1: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – (Entering Nepal from Tibet) – Nepal – India

Route 2: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – Pakistan – India

Road Trip from Malaysia 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

Route 4: Malaysia – Thailand – Laos – China – Russia – Other European countries (This route will take longer than other routes)