Drive to China, Driving through China

Can you drive to China as a foreigner tourist? Can you drive or ride a motorcycle to China? Yes, you can. Whether the vehicle is registered abroad or registered in China, the answer is yes.

Which kind of vehicles can be driven into China

If your car is registered abroad, which ones can be driven into China? 
Passenger cars, SUVs, camper vans, motorhomes, trucks, fire engines, electric cars, classic cars, motorcycles, racing cars…
According to our experience, almost all fully legal vehicles can be allowed to enter China.

How to Drive to/through China

Here we draw you a direct answer: you need a qualified Chinese travel agency to help you drive into China and help you drive legally in China, such as Adventutourchina.com.

You need to complete these procedures through a Chinese travel agency:

• Apply for a Chinese tourist visa so you can travel in China.
• Import your car or motorcycle into China temporarily so that your car can enter China via land crossing or seaport.
• Your car or motorcycle needs to be temporarily registered and registered at the location of the land or sea port.
  -Your car or motorcycle requires a temporary Chinese number plate (temporary license plate) so that your car can be legally driven on the road in China.
• You need to apply for a temporary Chinese driver’s license because China does not recognize IDP (international driving license), so that you can drive legally in China. 
  -You need a Chinese guide to accompany you throughout the whole trip, which is the Chinese government’s rules. This is also required and arranged by a Chinese travel agency.

Common routes and land crossings of Driving to/through China

If your destination is India or Nepal: 
Option 1: Iran – Pakistan – India. The scenery of this route is undoubtedly beautiful and attractive. However, you need to be aware of security risks in some areas. Perhaps visa is also a problem. Please note your government’s travel tips and safety warnings.
Option 2: If you want to avoid Iran and go directly to India or Nepal, then the Chinese route seems to be your only option. You can enter China from Kyrgyzstan and then into India via Pakistan, which usually takes 4-5 days. You will pass through the famous Karakoram Highway (KKH). The cost of transiting via China can range from $900 to $2,000, depending on how many vehicles you have in your team.

Option 3: Another option is that you can enter China from Kyrgyzstan and follow the G219 National Road all the way to Lhasa or the Nepal border. You will have the opportunity to see the mountains above 8,000 meters and some beautiful plateau lakes such as Gunrinpozi, Mount Everest and so on. You can extend your trip to Lhasa or enter Nepal directly from the Geelong or Changmu ports (temporarily closed).

Option 4: You can enter China via Kyrgyzstan, then pass the Silk Road into Golmud, via Lhasa and EBC to the Gyirong port, from which you can enter Nepal and then travel to India.

The G219 is one of the highest roads in the world. Driving on this road is not only a test of the vehicle, but also a test of the health of the participants.

If your destination is Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia or other Southeast Asian countries, here are some common routes below.

Option 1: Enter China from Mongolia, then all the way go south to Laos, Vietnam (requires permission and assistance from a local travel agency) or Myanmar (requires permission and assistance from a local travel agency).

Option 2: Enter China from Kyrgyzstan, follow the Silk Road to southern China, then enter Laos, Vietnam (requires permission and assistance from a local travel agency) or Myanmar (requires permission and assistance from a local travel agency).

If you want to drive from Asia to Europe, here are some common routes. 
Option 1: Enter China from Laos, all the way go north from Erlianhaote to Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and other places.

Option 2: From India to Europe, many people choose to drive the route through India-Pakistan-China (4-5 days) – Kyrgyzstan.
Option 3: Enter China from Laos (also can enter from Vietnam or Myanmar), then go into Kyrgyzstan or Russia, and go to Europe.

How to apply for a visa by driving a car to China?

We will assist you in applying for a visa to travel to China by car. We will provide visa invitations, itineraries and hotel lists. With these materials, you can apply for a tourist visa to China yourself or through the tourist intermediary. You can also apply in a third country or in your own country. We advise you to apply for a Chinese visa in your own country before you leave, because this is an easier way. If you are concerned that your Chinese visa in your country has expired when you arrive in China, please contact us and we will assist you in applying for a Chinese visa valid for six months.
Of course, you can also apply for a Chinese visa in a third country on the road, such as in Russia, Ukraine, Stan-States or Mongolia. However, if possible, we recommend that you apply in your own country.

Refuel your car while driving in China

• The common gasoline labels in China are #90, #93, #97, #98. Please note that different labels do not represent the quality of gasoline. They represent different octane values, the higher the label octane value, the higher the gas explosion resistance. In China, people usually choose gasoline #93 or #97, and prices usually fluctuate between $1 and $1.50 a liter.
• The diesel label in China is #0, or #-10. Prices usually fluctuate between $0.80 per liter and $1.20 per liter. If the temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius, you can add #-10 diesel, but it is usually sold only in winter. In the highlands, it is not always available to add #-10 diesel.
• Payment is usually made in cash or via WeChat/Alipay at petrol stations, where international credit cards are almost impossible to use.
• Refueling in Xinjiang and Tibet takes more time, as real-name registration is required with a passport or ID card.
• In Xinjiang, you need to swipe your Chinese ID card to enter the gas station.
• In some areas, you can’t drive a motorcycle into a gas station if you want to refuel your motorcycle. you need to stop outside the gas station and use a kettle to bring gasoline to your motorcycle to refuel.
• In Xinjiang and Tibet, take-out gasoline is not allowed. You can’t use spare gasoline barrels to take gasoline in both provinces.

Driving on the Chinese highway

-China’s highways need toll fee. For cars, SUV and MPV-type vehicles are usually charged about 7-8 dollars per 100 kilometers. 
-Driving on the highway is boring and not free, but it can save a lot of time. If you need to pass fast, China has a north-south and east-west highway. 
-China has a high rate of traffic accidents, and you will meet all kinds of drivers. Therefore, ensuring safety is your top priority when driving in China.

Riding a motorcycle on a highway in China

• Motorbikes are not allowed on motorways in all provinces.
• These places allow motorcycles on the highway, subject to displacement requirements:
  Hubei, Beijing, Hainan, Xinjiang, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Hunan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Anhui, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hebei, Shaanxi, Gansu, Tibet.

Standards for drink driving and drunk driving in China

Drink driving refers to the driving behavior of the vehicle driver with an alcohol content greater than or equal to 20 mg/100 ml and less than 80 mg/100 ml.
Drunk driving refers to the driving behavior of a vehicle driver whose blood alcohol content is greater than or equal to 80mg/100ml.
Penalties for drinking driving in China

• Driving a motor vehicle by alcohol drinking, fined 1000 yuan – 2000 yuan, 12 points and suspended driving license for 6 months;
• Driving an operation motor vehicle by alcohol drunk, fined 5000 yuan and 12 points, who is also punishable by detention of up to 15 days and may not be re-licensed for 5 years.

Penalties for drunk driving

• Driving a motor vehicle by alcohol drinking, revocation of a license, non-re-acquiring a driving license for 5 years, criminal detention and a fine after a judgment;
• Drunk driving of an operation motor vehicle, revocation of a driving license, non-re-acquiring a driving license for 10 years, non-driving of an operating vehicle for life, criminal detention and a fine after a judgment.