Aside from ensuring you have a passport and visa, as well as insurance that covers China, the main preparation that is required involves obtaining a valid driving licence and registering your vehicle. Actually doing so can be complicated, however, which is why it is important to work with an experienced tour operator.
China is not currently signed up to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which means you cannot simply turn up with an international licence and drive in the country. For most travellers, a temporary Chinese driving licence will be sufficient, although longer stays in the country may require you to acquire a full licence.
The country also has strict laws about bringing vehicles into the country. You will need photos of your vehicle from different angles, there is a substantial amount of paperwork involved and you will also need to fit temporary number plates to your car or bike. Some regions, including Tibet, also require separate travel permits.
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Is it possible to travel from Sweden 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.
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:
Chinese travel agencies usually ask for following Materials and documents
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 is place for applying china visa in sweden.
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Gothenburg
Add: Folkungagatan 14-18, 41102, Gothenburg, Sweden
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.
Tel: 031-7305866
Fax: 031-7305867
E-mail: [email protected]
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Stockholm
Karlavägen 108, Stockholm, Sweden
By Subway: The red line subway toward Ropsten and get off at Karlaplan station.
By Bus: Bus 4, 42, 56 and 76 get off at Radiohuset.
Postal Address: CVS Center AB, Box 242 33, 104 51 Stockholm
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.
Tel: 08-12201166
Fax: 08-12201167
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Generally, the most efficient route for a drive from Stockholm, Sweden to China will require you to loop around the eastern edge of Sweden and then through Finland, before arriving into Russia close to the city of St. Petersburg. From there, you will need to travel east through Russia and then south, taking you through Kazakhstan.
The next phase of the journey will largely depend on where in China you wish to travel. The most common options involve travelling through either Mongolia or Kyrgyzstan, although you can also access China from Kazakhstan itself. Some of the neighbouring countries are also possibilities, but will tend to extend your journey time.
It is important to check visa requirements for each of the countries you enter along the way. You will need a visa for Russia, in particular, but Kazakhstan can usually be passed through without a visa, as long as you are not intending to be in the country for more than 30 days. It is also crucial to be aware of any political tensions.
The total distance for your journey is likely to be more than 6,000 miles and could even reach 7,000 miles, depending on your precise route, start point and end point. You will need to make sure you have sufficient time to make the trip, while also giving yourself time to rest and enjoy your surroundings along the way.
The following are the most commonly used routes for Sweden-China:
Route 1(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): Sweden-Finland-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China
Route 2(Entering China from Mogolia): Sweden-Finland-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin-Uud-China
Route 3(Entering China from Kyrgyzstan): Sweden-Finland-Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China
Route 4(Entering China from Pakistan): Sweden-Finland-Russia-Azerbaijan-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
Route 1: Sweden-Finlnd-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang)-Pakistan-India
Route 2: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-China (Xinjiang, Tibet)-Nepal-India
Route 3: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Azerbaijan-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
Route 1: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Kazakhstan (or Uzbekistan)-Kyrgyzstan-Turkut Port or Irkstan Port-China-Laos-Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
Route 2: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Mongolia-Bulgan Gol or Zamiin-Uud-China – Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
Route 3: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China – Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
Route 4: Sweden-Finland-Russia-Azerbaijan-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.
We help our customers drive to china and cross china with car or motorbike. We organize road trips with automobile and motorcycle clubs. With our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, we also provide following services for your Automotive Events: drive or ride event, media event, test drive, support for automotive show, customer relation and brand image production.
+86 28 8503 0959
Mon - Fri 9.00 - 18.00
No 51, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041 China
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