Before Departure:
1. Vehicle Selection
High-end off-road vehicles are the top choice, excelling in rugged terrain but with high fuel consumption that increases travel costs; popular family cars like Jettas and Santanas offer strong power, stable performance, ideal speeds, relatively low fuel consumption, and easy maintenance—they’re very “durable” and generally meet the needs of long-distance road trips; among popular family cars, the Citroën Fukang offers higher driving comfort but is less durable, with greater engine strain on poor roads and fewer repair options in underdeveloped areas; more premium family cars like Guangzhou Honda and Passat have impeccable comfort and engine performance, but like the Fukang, are only suitable for travel in developed regions due to limited repair accessibility; micro cars, including minibuses, are slow, have low ground clearance, and offer poor ride comfort, making them suitable only for short trips. Additionally, in recent years, some car rental companies have introduced RVs specifically for road trips. These mobile homes truly offer a home on wheels, complete with mini living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, generally accommodating six people comfortably. Though daily rental fees are high, they can be offset by savings on accommodation. However, such an overly comfortable environment may somewhat reduce travelers’ firsthand experience of local life—a bit of a pity.
2. Route Planning
Before designing a route, some geographical knowledge is needed. Buy a national travel map to get a general idea of the locations of provinces and major scenic areas. Route planning depends on the length of the holiday, as well as seasonal factors, personal stamina, and interests. In summer, cooler northern regions are preferred; in winter, warmer southern areas are chosen; spring should avoid regions with continuous rain. Otherwise, extreme heat, severe cold, and wet weather increase safety risks for both people and vehicles, while autumn offers relatively more flexible options. For first-time road trippers, daily travel distance should be within 300 km, while seasoned road trippers shouldn’t exceed 500 km per day on average—don’t let the rush of travel compromise its quality. Holiday days × daily distance (300–500 km) × 70% (impact of mountainous roads) × 70% (impact of loop routes) = distance between the destination and starting point. On the map, draw a circle centered on the starting point with the calculated distance as the radius—the scenic areas near the circumference are the farthest you can reach during the holiday. Then, based on your preferences for different landscapes, regional cultures, and seasonal considerations, choose one as the main route for your road trip.
3. Itinerary Planning
After determining the final destination, thoroughly research possible scenic areas or places of unique cultural and geographical interest along the way—plenty of such information is available online. Then sketch out a loop route covering these spots, avoiding repeated paths as much as possible. At this stage, purchase a more detailed road atlas, such as the four-volume set *China Highway Traffic Atlas* published by China Cartographic Publishing House, which is extremely detailed and even includes city traffic maps for smaller cities. When choosing roads, follow the principle of “take national highways over provincial ones, and provincial over rural dirt roads” to minimize the impact of poor road conditions. On long trips, highways save time and energy, but travelers miss out on local culture—decide flexibly based on time and preference. Some road condition info can be found in the latest road atlases and online. Based on this, start drafting a relatively detailed travel plan, including road codes between destinations, mileage, visiting times for attractions, daily accommodation locations, etc. If using GPS (Global Positioning System), try to look up the latitude and longitude of each place as a precaution. If time allows, read up on local history, geography, and customs before departure—more knowledge makes the trip richer.
4. Travel Statistics Table Design
To facilitate organizing your trip and recording visited attractions upon return, it’s best to design a table before departure, print several copies, and keep them in a hardcover folder in the car for easy access, with the front-seat passenger responsible for recording.
A complete record table should include the following items: date, departure time, departure location and coordinates, arrival time, arrival location and coordinates, daily odometer reading, road number, road conditions, toll fees, fuel type, fuel price, specialty foods, food prices, accommodation, price per room, sanitation, attraction name, ticket price, parking fee, repair costs, car wash fee, remarks. This information helps you recall your journey upon return and, with slight organization, can serve as reference material for future travelers.
5. Travel Companions
For short trips, the number of travelers or vehicles isn’t a big concern. For long trips, to avoid fatigue driving and reduce costs (by splitting fuel and toll fees), it’s best to have 3–4 people in a car (limited to five passengers), with at least two drivers taking turns every hour or every 100 km. This ensures one person focuses on driving while the other checks maps, corrects the route, and records data in the passenger seat. The resting driver can fully relax in the back. Ideally, someone in the group has basic medical knowledge, and another (or the same person) knows basic car repairs. If traveling in a convoy, vehicles should be similar in condition, with each car prepared to operate independently in terms of equipment, personnel, and mindset to avoid holding others back or paralyzing the entire group in emergencies.
6. Vehicle Maintenance
Before departure, give your vehicle a full service and thorough inspection to eliminate any potential issues. The three filters must be replaced, and engine oil should preferably be changed. Tighten all chassis bolts and inspect tires, brakes, battery, etc. The two front tires are especially critical—blowouts at high speeds are extremely dangerous, and don’t forget to check the spare tire. Basic maintenance and inspection before departure are usually inexpensive and ensure quality, whereas breakdowns during the trip often require reliable repair shops only found in cities, which are scarce in rural areas. Additionally, long-trip vehicles should have a complete anti-theft system, such as alarms and gear locks, to prevent trouble.
7. Car Accessories
Even the best cars can’t avoid problems in harsh conditions, and genuine auto parts are hard to find in underdeveloped areas. Thus, preparing some easily damaged parts before departure is essential. Based on my experience, these include: various bulbs, a pack of fuses, belts, timing belts, spark plugs, tire valve caps, exhaust pipe hooks (at least two), remote control batteries. Other essential road trip items include: a spare tire (preferably two; if venturing into marshlands like Ruoergai, at least three—no exaggeration), thick and thin wire, two jacks, repair tools, a portable air pump (the cigarette lighter kind), tow rope, tire patch kit, engine oil, fuel additive, fuel system cleaner, strong glue, explosion-proof gasoline can (30L), car fridge, maps, and extra clean water for the radiator.
8. Necessary Documents
If you don’t want to pay off certain difficult police officers, the following documents are essential: purchase surcharge, road maintenance fee, insurance, driver’s license, vehicle registration. And don’t forget to process the little red book for the purchase surcharge—tear out one page along the dotted line. Didn’t you see it says to submit it to a relevant department for record? Not torn? Sorry, that’s a 200-yuan fine. As for that “relevant department,” I think it’s safest to just fold it and carry it with you.
9. Must-Have Items Checklist
(These are items I brought on my 30,000-km westward road trip—almost every one was useful)
Car Essentials: See “Car Accessories.” Also, keep a spare set of car keys in a safe place to avoid trouble if you lose the main ones en route.
Camping Gear: Compass, car compass, tent, sleeping bag, moisture-proof mat, waterproof ground tarp (picnic cloth), portable gas stove and fuel, camping cookware and utensils (mess tin, chopsticks, spoon, fork), detergent, lighter, folding shovel, multi-tool, rechargeable flashlight, flashlight, bucket, basin, spare rope, plastic bags in various sizes.
Food: Drinking water (water container), juice, milk, canned meat, canned fruit, fresh fruit, biscuits, compressed biscuits, jelly, chocolate, various pickles, salt, instant noodles, tea, chewing gum.
Daily Necessities: Nail clippers, water bottle, toothpicks, toilet paper, wet wipes, hat, sunglasses, inflatable pillow, warm clothing, ample regular clothes, paper underwear, scarf, slippers, umbrella, binoculars, cash, credit card, ID card, small photos, marriage certificate, newspaper.
Personal Medications: Water purification tablets, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, stomach medicine, berberine, vitamins, throat lozenges, band-aids, muscle rub, oral ulcer medication, iodine, thermometer, eye drops.
Toiletries: Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, facial cleanser, cotton balls, comb, skin lotion, lip balm, sunscreen, towel, foot towel, shower cap, rubber bands, mirror, sewing kit, laundry powder, disposable gloves, shoe freshener.
Auxiliary Items: DSLR camera, tripod, film, macro lens, digital camera and cables, AA and AAA batteries, voice recorder and cables, phone and charger and batteries, laptop and power adapter and converter, GPS, multi-plug extension cord, postcards, gift ballpoint pens, notebook.
Defensive gear: stun baton, long and short knives.
(It’s best to choose items that are lightweight, compact, and easy to carry)
10. Tips for Loading Items
Out of personal preference, you may want to bring as much equipment as possible, but the space in your vehicle is limited. Therefore, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons and make choices from the listed items. Additionally, for essential gear, try to minimize the amount you carry based on trip needs. For example: use sealed, clean small medicine bottles to hold laundry detergent, salt, dishwashing liquid, etc.; basins, buckets, and tableware can be selected in matching sizes and shapes so they can nest together to save space. If possible, sleeping bags, clothes, and similar items can be packed into special vacuum bags—once vacuum-sealed, their volume can be reduced to a fraction of the original. Of course, when loading the car, space should be arranged rationally: all equipment, except for items used frequently such as laptops, cameras, maps, and snacks, should be stored in the trunk to free up interior space for rest during the journey. In the trunk, less frequently used items should go at the very back; repair tools should be placed in the most easily accessible corner; fuel cans should be placed on a flat surface and secured to a part of the vehicle body with wire; daily essentials such as toiletries, changes of clothes, and necessary medications can be packed in a travel bag for convenience when staying at accommodations; other small items, such as canned drinks and toilet paper, can be stuffed into the gaps between luggage.
During the Journey:
11. Always Inquire About Road Conditions
When you’re unsure about the road ahead, ask the following people for information anytime and anywhere to adjust your itinerary promptly, ensuring you can “rise with the sun and rest at sunset,” and avoid driving at night as much as possible: road maintenance workers, police, drivers, auto repair shop workers, gas station attendants, passersby, restaurant staff, hotel staff (listed in descending order of accuracy regarding road conditions). When encountering poor road conditions, even if it means driving on rough roads, don’t improvise your route—trust that local routes are chosen for good reason.
12. Clothing
Since road trips cover large areas and you might pass through regions with vastly different climates within a single day, your clothing should cover all four seasons. To minimize bulk, each piece of clothing should be wearable alone or layered with others for warmth. Ideally, choose open-front garments, as pullovers can be troublesome to take on and off. Considering the difficulty of washing clothes on the road, opt for disposable underwear when possible, and choose outerwear that’s dirt-resistant. Pay attention to sun protection—use sunscreen with SPF 25 or higher, and don’t forget to apply it to the backs of your hands, otherwise, after several days of continuous driving, they’ll look quite bad.
13. Food and Drink
Your vehicle should carry some high-energy foods and vitamin-rich drinks to replenish energy. To prepare for situations where restaurants aren’t available, bring simple cooking equipment, ready-to-eat meals, and some seasonings. Freshwater storage is essential—the car needs to drink too in critical moments. The most economical approach is to prepare a 5–10 liter beverage container. Each night before bed, boil a kettle of water, then bottle it in the morning. This ensures hygiene and saves money. It’s recommended to try local specialties in every area you visit, but pay attention to hygiene and wipe utensils with disinfectant wipes when possible.
14. Accommodation
Bring a tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag for emergencies. But for safety and rest recovery, try to stay in accommodations rather than camp. If the bedding in a lodging is unhygienic, the sleeping bag can solve the problem. Also, bringing a sheet and pillowcase is a good idea. If your budget allows, choose government guesthouses in county-level towns—they generally offer relatively reliable service and safety. Rooms with air conditioning often have issues like ineffective heating (or cooling) and weak airflow. Try removing the air conditioner’s dust filter panel yourself—it can make a noticeable difference.
15. Tips for Driving on Highways
When driving on highways, avoid speeding. Always use your lights to signal when overtaking. In rainy, snowy, or foggy weather, stick to the slow lane, turn on your fog lights, and prevent collisions. On highways without central dividers, be mindful of oncoming traffic and reduce speed when passing. During high-speed passing (above 120 km/h), due to airflow blockage, two closely passing vehicles can experience strong mutual attraction—keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. In urban areas, avoid excessive speed, especially to prevent collisions with pedestrians. To avoid getting distracted during long drives, chewing gum or snacking can help.
16. Tips for Driving on Mountain Roads
Always check your brakes before driving on mountain roads. When going uphill, shift down one gear to increase the car’s power. When turning, be cautious of oncoming traffic and honk if necessary. When going downhill, use a low gear and rely on engine braking to control speed. Avoid prolonged braking, and when navigating sharp turns, avoid crossing into the opposite lane—it’s dangerous if an oncoming vehicle appears.
17. Tips for Driving on Poor Road Conditions
On muddy or thawing roads, reduce speed and drive carefully. Use wooden boards or stones to fill the road if necessary. When driving over raised surfaces, to prevent bottoming out, steer diagonally, return the wheel after the front wheels clear the obstacle, forming a “Z” pattern. Fast in sand, slow in water: drive fast on sand to avoid getting stuck; cross water slowly and scout the path. Desert roads have soft foundations—try to drive in the middle of the road and never drive over the edge while turning, or you risk veering off the road.
18. Daily Vehicle Inspection
Before setting off each morning, inspect the tires, check under the vehicle for leaks, and open the hood to examine the radiator, engine oil, battery, and brake fluid. Every time you park, also check the tire condition promptly. Refuel when you’ve used about two-thirds of the tank, and try to use PetroChina gas stations. Add fuel additives or fuel system cleaners if needed to maintain optimal vehicle performance.
19. Vehicle Repairs
Those traveling by car should have basic car-repair skills to handle minor issues yourself, such as changing tires, replacing light bulbs or fuses, and fixing exhaust hangers. When performing these tasks—especially in remote areas—others in the group should stay alert to prevent robbery or theft. For problems requiring professional repair, it’s best to use high-quality spare parts you bring along.
20. Environmental Considerations
Be environmentally conscious. Use phosphate-free laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, and opt for large-pack wet wipes instead of individually wrapped small packets. Choose vehicle supplies with minimal packaging to reduce waste. Dispose of any generated trash properly by taking it to designated disposal sites.
Returning:
21. Vehicle Maintenance
After the long journey, your hardworking vehicle should receive a full maintenance check to prepare it for future adventures.
Epilogue: In truth, self-driving is a wonderful way to travel. As for your beloved car, there’s no need to be overly precious about it. I once asked a Xiali taxi driver who drives over 10,000 km a month—and a self-driving trip is no different. Driving around the Earth is only 40,000 km. Cars are actually quite durable consumer goods—not just urban transport tools. We should make better use of them. Owning a car makes you realize that China isn’t very big, and the world feels much smaller.