Self-Drive Routes in China

National classic routes for driving your own car into China — distance, duration, season and costs for every itinerary. Pick a route, then let us handle the customs paperwork.

G318 Sichuan–Tibet Highway

Sichuan · Tibet

G318 Sichuan–Tibet Highway

The classic Chengdu–Lhasa highway across high passes, deep river valleys and Tibetan plateau towns. The route every self-driver in China dreams about.

2140 km 10–14 days Apr – Oct Challenging

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Duku Highway (Dushanzi–Kuqa)

Xinjiang

Duku Highway (Dushanzi–Kuqa)

Xinjiang’s most scenic mountain road — snow peaks, alpine lakes, forests and grasslands in a single day. Open only in the warm season.

561 km 4–6 days Jun – Oct (road open window) Moderate

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Qinghai Lake Loop

Qinghai

Qinghai Lake Loop

China’s largest saltwater lake wrapped by grassland, canola fields and mountain passes — an easy loop ideal for first self-drive trips.

700 km 4–6 days Jun – Sep Easy

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Southern Xinjiang & Taklamakan Loop

Xinjiang

Southern Xinjiang & Taklamakan Loop

Kashgar’s old town, the Taklamakan desert highways, ancient Silk Road oases and the Pamir edge — the deep Xinjiang loop for experienced drivers.

3500 km 15–21 days Apr – Oct Challenging

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G219 Border Highway (Xinjiang–Tibet)

Xinjiang · Tibet

G219 Border Highway (Xinjiang–Tibet)

The highest border highway in the world from Yecheng to Lhasa — passes over 5,000 m, plateau lakes and the Ali region. For serious overlanders only.

2500 km 15–20 days Jun – Sep Challenging

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G7 Beijing–Ürümqi Expressway

Beijing · Hebei · Inner Mongolia · Gansu · Xinjiang

G7 Beijing–Ürümqi Expressway

The expressway that cuts straight across northern China — deserts, grasslands and wind farms in one long westward drive.

2540 km 5–7 days May – Oct Moderate

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Western Sichuan Loop

Sichuan

Western Sichuan Loop

Snow peaks, grasslands, monasteries and hot springs within a 6–9 day loop from Chengdu — the most accessible taste of western China.

1300 km 6–9 days May – Oct Moderate

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Silk Road: Hexi Corridor (Lanzhou–Dunhuang)

Gansu

Silk Road: Hexi Corridor (Lanzhou–Dunhuang)

The ancient Silk Road corridor — Danxia landforms, the Great Wall at Jiayuguan, and the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang.

1100 km 6–8 days Apr – Oct Easy

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Northeast China Border Loop

Heilongjiang · Inner Mongolia

Northeast China Border Loop

Forest highways along the border rivers from Harbin to Mohe (China’s north pole village) and across the Hulunbuir grasslands.

2800 km 10–14 days Jun – Sep Moderate

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Hainan Island Loop

Hainan

Hainan Island Loop

A relaxed coastal loop around tropical Hainan — beaches, seafood, rainforests and hot springs. The easiest first route after entering China.

600 km 5–7 days Nov – Mar Easy

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Distances and durations are typical values for planning; adjust to your own pace.