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

The idea of driving to China from Russia holds a strong appeal, but before setting off on such a journey, you will need to carry out research. After all, China has very strict regulations when it comes to foreign drivers and many of its laws have been designed to discourage foreign visitors from bringing their own cars and motorcycles in. With the right level of determination and preparation, a road trip of this kind is certainly possible, and the journey time is also more manageable than driving from many other parts of the world. Yet, the complications mean it is recommended that you work with a tour operator that has helped people to drive from Russia to China before. In this article, we offer some important information about preparing for your trip and planning your route.

Prior to embarking on your journey to China from Russia, you will need to complete a significant amount of paperwork, in order to adhere to China’s strict requirements. These requirements include obtaining either a temporary or full Chinese driving licence, finding the right insurance and acquiring all of the necessary travel permits. In recent times, it has become easier for foreign visitors to obtain a temporary driving licence, but this may not be suitable for all trips and will depend on the length of your stay. In the event that you need a full licence, you may be required to take a theory test. Most major cities in China allow you to take this in your preferred language.

On top of this, in order to bring your own vehicle into the country, you will need to have a clear itinerary, obtain temporary Chinese number plates and attach them to your car or motorcycle. Again, the process involved with this can be complex, which is why it is best to seek help from an experienced tour operator.

Feasibility of driving from Russia to china with own car

Is it possible to travel from Russia 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 Russia-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 Russia

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 Russia.

Consulate General	Consular Jurisdiction
Consulate General of PRC in Khabarovsk	Khabarovsk Territory, Primorsky Territory, Sakhalin State, Amur State, Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Consulate General of PRC in St. Petersburg	St. Petersburg, Leningrad State, Republic of Karelia, Murmansk State, Pskov State, Arkhangelsk State, Novgorod State
Consulate-General of PRC in Ekaterinburg	Chelyabinsk State, Chelyabinsk State, Tyumen State, Novosibirsk State, Omsk State and Krasnoyarsk
Consulate-General of PRC in Irkutsk	Irkutsk State, Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikalsky Krai, Khakassia Republic, Tuva Republic

Road Trip from Russia to China

The precise route for your drive from Russia to China will depend on where in the country you start, and where in China you intend to travel. However, the best basic route in terms of both ease and efficiency is to travel through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, before entering China via the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the north west.

An alternative to this involves bypassing Kazakhstan and travelling through Mongolia instead, before arriving in China. This opens up the possibility of entering China via the provinces of Xinjiang, Gansu or Inner Mongolia, depending on the areas of China you want to explore and the route you have in mind within the country itself.

Different routes are possible and some people do like to explore some of the other neighbouring countries along the way. However, these routes will tend to complicate your trip, especially as some of these countries have strict laws of their own governing foreign drivers and the use of foreign vehicles on their roads.

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

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

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

Route 3(Entering China directly from Russia-China border ): Russia – China. There are 3 land borders for crossing of traveller and the vehicle:

• Suifenhe Port (Heilongjiang Province)
• Huichun Port (Jilin Province)
• Manzhouli Port (Inner Mongolia Province)

Road Trip from Russia to India

Route 1: Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang)-Pakistan-India

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

Route 3: Russia-China-Pakistan-India

Road Trip from Russia to South East Asia

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

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

Route 3: Russia – China – Laos,Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.

Route 4: Russia – China – Pakistan – India – Myanmar – Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.