Self-driving adventures are becoming increasingly popular around the world. China, with its vast landscapes, diverse cultures, and unique mix of history and modern life, is one of the most rewarding destinations for overlanders. In many countries, crossing borders by car or motorcycle is relatively straightforward. However, due to China’s complex customs procedures and entry restrictions, many travelers hesitate to bring their vehicles into the country—or even exclude China entirely from their overland journey. What a pity for such an extraordinary destination.

At China Auto Tours, we make driving in China with your own vehicles simple. Our experienced team handles all the paperwork, border procedures, and vehicle logistics, so you can focus entirely on enjoying your overland journey across China.

How to Plan a Self-Drive Tour in China with Your Foreign Vehicle

Bringing a foreign-registered vehicle into China requires partnering with a licensed travel agency like China Auto Tours. Our team will guide you through the process, which typically includes:

• Route filing and documentation
• Securing special permits for regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet
• Temporary import/export customs clearance and vehicle deposit payment
• On-site inspections at the port of entry
• Applying for a Chinese temporary driver’s license and temporary number plates

Beyond the services listed, we can provide support for vehicle maintenance, parts, and equipment shopping upon request.

  No matter what type of vehicle you drive — whether it’s a 4×4, camper van, truck, or motorcycle — as long as it is legally registered, it can be brought into China.

Border Crossing Options

You can enter China with your own vehicles through a number of land borders, sea ports, and other entry points.

  To make it easy for you to explore, you can click on the underlined names to see the full list of available ports and their locations.

• Land Borders: With Nepal, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China)
• Sea Ports: Including Tianjin, Weihai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Dalian, and other major coastal gateways.
• Railway/Airport Ports: Including Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing

Solo Travel or Group Options

Because China does not fully open its borders to foreign vehicles, the cost of entry procedures can be high for solo travelers. To make overlanding more accessible, we organize group tours, allowing like-minded adventurers to share costs and experiences.

• Benefits of joining a group:  Lower cost per vehicle, meet new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
• Considerations:  Group travel requires flexibility, cooperation, and compromise.

Customized Routes: If you prefer to travel solo or with close friends, we can also create a fully tailored itinerary just for you.

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  Ready to plan your adventure? Choose one of the options below: