Foreign travellers who land in China and pick up a rental car often find the paperwork is the easy part — the first few hours on the road are where the real surprises hit: Google Maps will not open, gas stations take QR codes, and nobody seems to take cash. This article covers those day-to-day issues.

1. Navigation: what app works in China?

This is the first wall most travellers hit. Google Maps, Waze and the international version of Apple Maps do not work inside China — the map simply stays blank. Install these before you drive:

  • Amap (Gaode / AutoNavi): the most popular driving app in China. It has an English interface, voice navigation, live traffic, and clear labels for gas stations and service areas. Search "Amap" in the app store.
  • Baidu Maps: also has an English mode; stronger on public transport, slightly weaker on driving than Amap.
  • Maps.me / Organic Maps: download offline maps of Yunnan and Sichuan before you go. In mountain areas like Shangri-La and Deqin, mobile signal disappears for long stretches and offline navigation is the only thing that works.

Tip: your home App Store region may not show these Chinese apps. The easiest fix is to buy a Chinese SIM card, insert it when you land, and download Amap / Baidu Maps from the Chinese app store. Or message us and we will send you the install files over WeChat.

2. Phone payment: can a foreign credit card be linked?

This used to be almost impossible. Since 2024, both WeChat Pay and Alipay accept foreign Visa / Mastercard. The process:

  1. Install WeChat or Alipay;
  2. Register with your passport or a Chinese phone number;
  3. In the wallet section, choose "add foreign bank card" and follow the steps;
  4. Once linked, you can scan QR codes at most convenience stores, gas stations, toll booths and restaurants.

If linking does not work out, have two backups:

  • A credit card that works abroad: major Sinopec / PetroChina stations and highway toll booths accept Visa / Mastercard;
  • Cash ¥1,000–2,000: small towns, tiny restaurants and small parking lots still only take cash or local WeChat.

3. How do I buy gas?

Yunnan is covered by PetroChina and Sinopec stations, and our cars run on 92-octane petrol. The process is simple:

  1. Pull up at a pump;
  2. Tell the attendant "92, full" or quote an amount (e.g. "¥200");
  3. Pay inside the shop — scan a QR code, swipe your card, or pay cash.

You do not need to get out or lift the fuel cap yourself; the attendant handles everything. On Yunnan highways there is a service area every 50–80 km, so top up when the tank drops below half.

4. How do I pay tolls?

Yunnan highways mostly use manual lanes or ETC. Rental cars usually do not have ETC devices, so just follow the green "manual" signs:

  • Take a paper ticket when you enter;
  • Hand the ticket back when you exit, and pay (QR, cash or credit card);
  • Kunming to Dali is around ¥150 one way; Dali to Lijiang another ¥80 or so.

Do not follow the ETC lane — the barrier will not lift for you.

5. Parking

Scenic spots, hotels and shopping malls all have formal parking lots, typically ¥10–20 a day. The old towns of Dali and Lijiang block foreign-plated cars during the day, so park in the designated outer lot and walk in. Ask your hotel which entrance to use.

6. What if I lose mobile signal?

Most Yunnan highways have 4G, but the northwest (Shangri-La, Deqin) often drops out. Two solutions:

  • Download the Amap / Baidu offline map pack before you go;
  • Ask us for our Yunnan self-drive road-book PDF, which marks every gas station, service area, hospital and emergency contact.

7. Do not forget: the Chinese temporary driving licence

Everything above assumes you are legally allowed to drive in China. China does not recognise the International Driving Permit, and no foreign driving licence is valid on Chinese roads on its own. If you assume "my home licence plus a translation is enough", a traffic stop counts as driving without a licence under Chinese road traffic law:

  • Fine of ¥200–2,000;
  • Up to 15 days of detention;
  • If you have an accident, insurance refuses to pay — you cover everything yourself;
  • Serious cases affect future Chinese visas.

This temporary licence is not something you can obtain yourself at the vehicle management office. Under Ministry of Public Security rules, it is only issued to foreign tourists on a self-drive tour arranged by a licensed travel agency. We handle the application: send us your passport, visa and home licence, you do not need to be present, and we hand you the permit at pickup. Cost: ¥1,500.

Without this permit, the navigation, gas and toll tips above are pointless — sort the licence first, then drive.

8. Emergency contact

Breakdown, traffic ticket, Tibet permit, anything else: message us on WeChat qxzj7557 (WhatsApp +86 137-5915-5671). We are online around the clock and can arrange rescue, translation or police help.