Compared to abroad, hitchhiking in China might be a bit more difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy overseas either. It’s just that in other countries, hitchhiking is a more socially accepted practice. In foreign countries, it’s generally easier for both the hitchhiker and the driver to establish a basic level of trust, which I believe is the fundamental reason. However, as the living standards of Chinese people continue to improve, more individuals are beginning to seek spiritual fulfillment. As such, hitchhiking is bound to gradually gain popularity in China too — after all, it’s a really interesting way to travel. Everyone wants to see different sights, so why limit yourself to a single method? That’s why here I’ll briefly share a few hitchhiking tips.

1. Hitchhiking gesture: thumb up — universally recognized.

You can wave it back and forth to catch the driver’s attention. Most people probably already know this gesture, but the goal is simply to attract the driver’s eye — just make sure it’s not an offensive or rude gesture.

2. Know your map.

Study the map and do your homework. Know the towns and villages you’ll pass through. It’s rare to get a ride all the way to your destination; oftentimes you’ll need to hitch in segments, with drivers possibly only taking you to a certain town.

3. Where to hitchhike?

General roads (national, provincial, county, or rural roads): It's best to hitch a bit away from towns, where there are more cars and fewer people. The closer you are to populated areas, the harder it is to get a ride — drivers also tend to be more cautious. Highways: You can ask drivers at gas stations, try hitching at highway entrances, or cross the toll gate to a fork in the road. But don’t wander too far — the traffic is fast, and pedestrians aren’t technically allowed on highways. Drivers may drop you off at a highway exit, but you can walk to the next entrance and start hitchhiking again. Just don’t go too far — safety first.

4. How to talk to the driver?

Smile and say: “Hello, I’m headed in the direction of xxx, could I get a ride? / Could you take me part of the way?” Mention the general direction, not too far — usually just say the next nearby county or town. If you’re starting in Chengdu heading toward Tibet, you could say: “I’m going in the direction of Ya’an, could I get a ride?” Don’t start by saying, “Master, I’m going to Lhasa, could I get a ride?” … Why not explain? Before getting in the car, always confirm whether they expect payment. Rideshares usually don’t involve money, but you should chat with the driver to keep them company. In short, once you're in the vehicle, interact more with the driver to boost their impression of you — it won’t hurt, trust me.

5. What kind of outfit makes it easier to hitchhike?

Backpacker or student look — the easiest to get rides. Drivers will be more interested when they see your attire. Showing up with a suitcase and waiting on the roadside will likely only get you a long-distance bus. Make sure you look clean — no one wants to pick up a dirty backpacker.

6. Hitchhiking combinations.

One person is definitely the easiest to hitch with — even if the car seems full, they’ll often manage to squeeze out a seat.

A couple — one male and one female — is the perfect combo. The girl acts as the driver’s magnet to stop the car, while the guy keeps the driver company and looks after the girl during the ride.

Two girls are also very easy to hitch with. Driving can be pretty boring, so picking up two girls to chat with is a nice bonus.

Two guys can be a bit more difficult — drivers are often hesitant to stop. Groups of more than two become even harder to hitch with, and even if the driver is willing, there might not be enough seats.