Getting around China by private car

China’s high-speed rail network is excellent between major cities, but a private car earns its cost on multi-stop days — airport transfers, day trips outside the city centre, or itineraries that mix two or three destinations in one region.

Vehicle choice matters more than people expect: a sedan is fine for two travellers with light luggage, but a family of five with suitcases is more comfortable in an MPV or van. Larger groups should size up to a minibus rather than split across two smaller cars.