Drive your car into China via Khunjerab Pass

[junaidsmalik1]

I am planning to drive to China from Islamabad. I have been to Khunjerab (correctly: Koonzerav) before now I want to go into China till Kashghar driving my own car. Lets say I have the following documents

• Passport
• Home Driving License
• International Driving License
• Vehicle Registration

What is the procedure to get some sort of permission for my car so I can drive it into China till Kashghar?

&

Do I need a standard tourist visa for china or is there a overland pass for visiting Kashghar?

[talhawaleed]

i also need this information but i don't think, we have anyone here who would be able to provide info on this.

i have couple of times written to chines embassy in Islamabad but never received any response.

[junaidsmalik1]

Well, actually there are travel agencies who provide you with the permissions and a temporary license plate for China and stuff. But they charge a lot. I want to do the procedure myself. A good source for this would also be someone who works in NATCO Pakistan.

[mehran]

I have investigated this option online and in order to enter China on your own vehicle there are a number of steps to be taken.
- Getting carnet for vehicle.
- Hiring a Chinese guide through Chinese travel agency. Guide will accompany throughout visit. All expenses of guide are your responsibility including air tickets from guide's hometown to Pak China border and return, hotel, food etc.
- Registration, permission etc to drive in China. These will be handled by Chinese tour company at extra expense.

After going through these requirements by Chinese government I decided it would be better to go by bus to Kashgar and rent a car there for travelling within China (if allowed). Otherwise explore China by train

[talhawaleed]

thank you for the wonderful info, further,

• how can we apply for carnet
• any idea about the expense of Chines travel guide for a 5 day visit.
• seems like that we will have to trace a Chines tour company who would be able to provide rest of the info.

[mehran]

Carnets for your vehicle can be obtained from 2 organisations in Lahore and Karachi respectively (forgotten which ones but info is available online and in Pakwheels forums). They require you to submit 80-85% of the value of your vehicle and issue you the carnet. On return to Pakistan the amount is refunded.

Chinese tour guides info is also available online and costs are probably available on request. In my opinion it will be expensive as per day charges of guide, food, accommodation, air tickets to and from Pak China border to guide's hometown will be quite a bit.

Five days will be too less on road. In 5 days you will barely reach Urumqi (which is around 2000km from the border) in the far West of China. Minimum time should be 2~3 weeks after entering China.

Driving through China is not easy primarily owing to difficult procedures in place by the Chinese government. You will definitely need to hire the Chinese tour agency to sort out documents on your behalf as I have lived in China and i know a bit about their troublesome attitude and procedures. Good luck!

[junaidsmalik1]

The restriction of a mandatory guide cant be correct. I think its just a monopoly/online-propaganda of tour agencies. Logically thinking there could be no legal way in which private tour guides are your legal accomplices in a country.

[mehran]

Quite possible it's a ploy by the tour companies in China. But as far as international travel forum discussions are concerned, a Chinese tour guide is compulsory for driving your own vehicle in China. Rest I'm sure the Chinese embassy or consulate can confirm this requirement.