Car rental in China

China is a country where ancient pagodas stand alongside skyscrapers, and rice terraces are just a few hours' drive from mega-cities of millions. Many interesting places are located beyond the main tourist routes and poorly connected by public transport. Renting a car in China allows you to create your own individual itinerary and see the country without depending on bus and train schedules and without spending heavily on taxis.

Why Rent a Car on Localrent

Online booking on Localrent eliminates the tedious search for a car on-site and allows you to choose a vehicle in advance that suits your plans. Here's why people choose us:

1. Wide selection of vehicles across different classes. You can find everything from economical compact hatchbacks to powerful crossovers.
2. Real photos. Many vehicle listings feature images of the actual car.
3. Convenient filtering. Quickly select a car by make, transmission type, year of manufacture, and required features.
4. Pay on location. Pay 15-20% when booking, the remainder when you pick up the keys.
5. No credit card required. Many rental options don't require a credit card deposit.

Localrent makes the rental process simple and secure, saving you time and effort.

What You Need to Rent a Car in China

Required documents to receive the vehicle:

• International passport
• Valid national driver's license
• Booking voucher

The rental company can assist you with obtaining these documents, though this service is charged separately.

Most rental companies set a minimum age requirement of 20 years and require at least 2 years of driving experience, though each vehicle has its own conditions.

Traffic Rules in China and Driving Specifics

Chinese drivers use horns very actively. Honking here isn't an expression of irritation but rather a way to signal your presence when overtaking, passing through intersections, or navigating blind spots. You'll need to get used to this and occasionally use it yourself for safety.

Pay particular attention to two-wheeled road users—scooters and cyclists. Their maneuvers can be unexpected and unpredictable, including riding in oncoming lanes or diagonally crossing intersections. Drivers don't always use turn signals, so be prepared for sudden lane changes.

At roundabouts, traffic moves counterclockwise. You may encounter non-standard traffic organization, such as left turns or U-turns being permitted from the right lane rather than the far left—watch for signs carefully.

Speed enforcement on roads, especially in cities and their surroundings, is carried out using numerous cameras. Speed limits:

• In populated areas: 30-50 km/h—pay attention to signs, especially near schools
• Outside cities: 90 km/h
• On highways: 120 km/h

Pay attention to your specific lane—in China, speed limits are often indicated for individual lanes rather than the entire road section.

Many signs use only Chinese characters, making them difficult for foreigners to understand on highways or interchanges. It's best to download offline maps in advance, load your route, and not rely solely on road signs.

Many highways are toll roads. Payment often requires local mobile apps like Alipay, and bank cards and cash aren't accepted everywhere.

Refueling in China

Payment in China is exclusively cashless and done after refueling. Cash is often not accepted at many gas stations, especially modern or automated ones. The primary payment method is mobile payments through Alipay or WeChat Pay. The station attendant will show you a QR code for payment. Simply scan it through the Alipay or WeChat app, enter the amount, and confirm the payment.

Some stations may be unstaffed. Payment there occurs only through mini-apps in Alipay or by scanning the QR code on the pump. Without a configured mobile wallet, you won't be able to refuel at such stations.

Parking in China

In most Chinese cities, parking is high-tech. You won't need to look for parking attendants or payment terminals—cameras track your arrival, parking duration, and departure. They automatically capture your license plate on entry and exit, calculating the parking fee.

These parking systems work as follows:

• Automatic recognition: cameras read the license plate on entry and exit
• Often there's a free period, such as 15 minutes
• On exit, the system determines parking duration and the amount due

The primary and often only payment method is through mobile apps Alipay or WeChat Pay. Cashiers or payment terminals simply don't exist at many urban parking facilities.

After entering paid parking and before leaving, check your mobile phone—reminders and payment links often arrive via SMS or notifications in Alipay.

Watch signs carefully, especially for street parking. Some streets have time restrictions or complete parking bans during certain hours.

How to Book a Car in China

On the Localrent website, specify your desired rental dates and pickup/return city. In the "Specify location" field, you can choose a specific location—airport, city district, rental office, or delivery service.

Next, follow these steps:

1. Use filters to select vehicle characteristics: transmission type, vehicle class, make, and other important parameters
2. Review listings of suitable models—examine photos, technical specifications, and payment conditions
3. Add necessary options like child seats, additional insurance, or additional driver service
4. Specify exact pickup/return time and location, enter your details and contact information
5. Pay the deposit online with a bank card—typically 15-20% of the total amount

After booking confirmation, you'll receive a voucher via email. When meeting the rental company representative, thoroughly inspect the vehicle and document all damages in the report. Sign the rental agreement, pay the remaining amount, and receive the car.

What to See in China During Your Road Trip

China has a well-developed road network, allowing you to reach many landmark sites by car. Routes depend on your starting city; here are the country's most notable places:

1. Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section. This well-restored section of the wall runs along mountain ridges 70 km from Beijing. It's known for its watchtowers and scenic views. A cable car takes tourists to the ridge top, and you can descend on special toboggans. Infrastructure here is better developed than at many other sections.
2. Karst landscapes of Yangshuo. The city of Yangshuo is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and serves as a starting point for exploring karst landscapes. Pleasure boats cruise the Li River, with characteristic limestone hills standing along the banks.
3. Zhangjiajie National Park. The park inspired the floating mountains of Pandora in the movie Avatar. Its main attraction is quartzite pillars reaching up to 200 meters high. Cable cars and glass observation platforms traverse the territory.
4. Giant Buddha of Leshan. This 71-meter stone statue was carved into the cliff during the Tang Dynasty. The Buddha sits facing the confluence of three rivers, with pedestrian trails laid along the mountain slope. Tourists can view the statue both from river boats and by descending the staircase along the cliff. Ancient temple complexes and caves with carved images are located near the Buddha.
5. Hainan Island. This tropical island in southern China has a well-developed road network. Main attractions include the Nanshan Buddhist complex with a 108-meter statue of Guanyin, Shimao Volcanic Park, and Wenchang palm groves. An expressway runs along the eastern coast with scenic exits to bays. Central areas preserve Li and Miao ethnic settlements with traditional craft workshops. For mountain region trips, choose a vehicle with an engine of at least 1.4 liters.

China's diverse landscapes and historical monuments allow for creating routes to suit any taste.

Where to Rent a Car in China

On Localrent, you can rent a car on Hainan Island in Sanya, as well as in other popular tourist destinations. Various pickup options are available—delivery to a specified address, airport pickup, or rental office collection.

Tips for First-Time Car Renters in China

Renting a car in China allows you to better explore this ancient country, but local roads have their specifics. Understanding these features will make your trip both interesting and safe.

Navigation

Install and configure local navigation apps in advance, such as Baidu Maps. International services often work intermittently or not at all. Many road signs are displayed only in Chinese characters, so voice navigation prompts will be extremely helpful.

Payment for Parking, Fuel, and More

Be sure to set up Alipay before your trip. The app supports multiple languages and allows you to link a foreign Visa or Mastercard bank card. With Alipay in China, you can pay for practically everything everywhere.

Be Prepared for Non-Standard Road Markings

China features unusual road markings whose meaning may not be obvious. For example, zebra stripes painted along the lane often indicate minimum safe following distance between vehicles rather than a pedestrian crossing. In complex situations, it's best to follow the behavior of local vehicles ahead of you.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in China