East Asia
37 curated road trips
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IconicHokkaido Flower RouteThe classic Asahikawa–Biei–Furano flower drive follows Route 237 and country loops through patchwork hills, Shikisai-no-Oka, the Tokachi-dake foothills, and Nakafurano's lavender fields without adding distant Sapporo or Obihiro transfers.EV-friendly
LegendaryShimanami KaidōSix islands linked by six bridges across the Seto Inland Sea, Japan's most celebrated drive arcs from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Ehime, past lemon groves, castle ruins, and views so perfect they feel composed rather than found.EV-friendly
LegendaryG318 Sichuan-Tibet HighwayChina's most legendary road climbs from Chengdu's basin through 14 mountain passes above 4,000 m, across four mighty rivers, and into the thin air of Lhasa, the world's highest capital. Called "the most beautiful road on Earth" by Chinese drivers.Permit required
IconicTaiwan Island LoopA current ten-day clockwise circuit with every major transfer visible: Taipei to Hualien, the East Rift Valley to Taitung, the South Link to Hengchun and Kenting, Kaohsiung, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, and back to Taipei. Hualien receives a strong coast-and-culture day instead of promising closed Taroko attractions, while Kenting, Alishan, and the lake retain the island loop's classic highlights.EV-friendlyLoop / circuit
NotableJapan's Shortened Golden Route by CarA deliberately shortened ten-day first-timer route from Tokyo to Osaka by car between cities. It preserves two Tokyo days, a real Hakone day, a south-side Fuji and Nagoya transfer, three balanced Kyoto days, one full Nara day, and two Osaka days. It does not claim to be the complete two-week rail Golden Route or include Hiroshima and Miyajima.EV-friendly
LegendaryMongolia: Classic Gobi CircuitThe complete clockwise Gobi circuit from Ulaanbaatar through Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Tsagaan Suvarga, Yolyn Am, Khongoryn Els, Bayanzag, and Ongi, returning through Kharkhorin to the capital. Twelve days give the desert's headline landscapes enough time, keep camel riding at the dunes, and explicitly account for the long overland return and vehicle hand-back.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsLoop / circuit
IconicArxan & Hulunbuir Grassland LoopA true eastern Inner Mongolia circuit from Hailar to Arxan's volcanic forest, then through the Morigele grasslands, Ergun wetlands, Enhe and Shiwei, Moerdaoga forest, Heishantou, Manzhouli, and Hulun Lake. Focusing on the classic Arxan–Hulunbuir region removes the enormous transfer from the unrelated Hohhot–Ordos desert cluster and gives every long leg, remote meal, and overnight a usable place in the schedule.Permit requiredLoop / circuit
IconicCentral Cross-Island Highway Access AlternativesThe historic Central Cross-Island Highway cannot currently be presented as a routine through-drive. This repaired itinerary offers two honest modules: a two-day western high-country trip from Taichung to Lishan and Wuling Farm via Puli, Highway 14A, and Dayuling, returning by the same verified public roads; and a separate one-day Hualien-side visit to the open Taroko Visitor Center and Qingshui Cliff coast. There is no drive between the modules and no recreational gorge transit.EV-friendly
IconicDali Lijiang Shangri-La RouteA six-day staged drive along northern Yunnan's classic Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Shangri-La line. A dedicated Lijiang day now includes Mu's Residence, the gorge day defines a short signed viewpoint walk and nearby overnight, and the final two days separate the climb to 3,200-metre Shangri-La from Songzanlin and Napa Lake sightseeing. The slower plan is safer, clearer, and more rewarding than compressing the route into four days.EV-friendlyPermit required
NotableDMZ and Gangwon Mountain RouteA five-day eastbound journey that follows one coherent line from Seoul through Paju's controlled DMZ Peace Tour, Chuncheon, Gangneung, Seoraksan and Sokcho, then returns to Seoul for a short, defined Bukhansan foothill walk. The route replaces hidden backtracking with realistic transfers and gives the national park its own day.EV-friendlyPermit required
IconicFuji Kawaguchi-Hakone-Odawara TraverseA focused three-day one-way journey from Lake Kawaguchi through Fujiyoshida and Oshino to Hakone, then down to Odawara. Day 1 concentrates on the strongest northern Fuji viewpoints, Day 2 makes a light transfer into Hakone without outlet-mall padding, and Day 3 follows the classic Hakone circuit by public transport for the Open-Air Museum, Owakudani, Lake Ashi cruise, and Hakone Shrine.EV-friendly
LegendaryG219 Kashgar–Lhatse Managed ExpeditionA transparent 19-day managed journey: a clearly separated three-day Pamir acclimatization loop returns to Kashgar, then the classic G219 sequence runs through Yecheng, operator-set high-road stages, Bangong Tso, Shiquanhe, Zanda's earth forest and Guge–Tholing heritage, Mount Kailash viewpoints, Lake Manasarovar, Saga, Lhatse, and a final Sakya Monastery extension. It removes the hidden Karakul detour, filler airport stops, generic remote restaurants, and any implied Kailash kora.4WD onlyPermit required
NotableHainan Island LoopA balanced six-day clockwise circuit from Haikou through Wenchang, Boao, Wanning, Lingshui, and Sanya, followed by Jianfengling rainforest and the quieter west coast through Baimajing and Danzhou. The pacing preserves the classic east-coast highlights, gives the rainforest its own overnight, and returns to Haikou without an unnecessary cross-island Baoting detour.EV-friendlyPermit requiredLoop / circuit
IconicHexi CorridorFollow the classic Hexi Corridor west from the Yellow River at Lanzhou to Zhangye's Giant Buddha, rainbow hills, and Mati Temple, then Jiayuguan's frontier fortress and the oasis of Dunhuang. The final two days pair the Singing Sand Dunes with one correctly sequenced, advance-reserved Mogao visit; distant Yumenguan belongs to a separate extra day west of Dunhuang and is not included in this efficient eight-day line.Permit required
Hidden GemHong Kong Island South & Shek OA correctly named two-day Hong Kong Island south-coast itinerary: one compact scenic drive from Central and Victoria Peak through Repulse Bay, Stanley, and Tai Tam, followed by a car-free Dragon's Back hike from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay and a relaxed finish at Shek O Beach.EV-friendly
IconicIzu Peninsula LoopA volcanic peninsula south of Tokyo where the Pacific crashes against black-sand beaches, hot springs rise from the ground mid-forest, and the road clings to sea cliffs past fishing villages that time left behind. One of Japan's great onsen drives.EV-friendlyLoop / circuit
IconicJeju Island CircuitA deliberately paced three-day circuit through Jeju's strongest east, south, and west-coast sights: Manjanggul and Seongsan Ilchulbong, a defined section of Jeju Olle Route 7, Jungmun's waterfalls, and Hallim Park with Hyeopjae Beach. The plan stays on paved roads, gives each coast its own day, and returns to Jeju City with time to spare rather than treating the island as a two-day checklist.EV-friendlyLoop / circuit
NotableKenting and the Hengchun PeninsulaAn efficient two-day Hengchun Peninsula circuit: old-town and west-coast highlights through Houbihu and Maobitou on Day 1, then the classic eastbound sequence from Kenting and Sail Rock to Eluanbi and Longpan on Day 2 before returning to the night market.EV-friendly
IconicKyushu Volcano RouteA seven-day volcanic traverse from Fukuoka to Kagoshima with proper time at Yufuin, Aso, Unzen, Kirishima, and Sakurajima. The route now reaches Unzen Onsen, its steaming hells, Nita Pass, and a real hot-spring experience; the following day is reserved for the ferry-and-motorway transfer to Kirishima. The final stage pairs Kirishima's active landscape with Sakurajima before crossing the bay into Kagoshima.EV-friendly
IconicNorthern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to KashgarThe classic northern-Tarim oasis drive links Ürümqi and the Turpan Basin with Korla, the Buddhist and Kucha heritage around Kuqa, an essential Aksu overnight, and two worthwhile days in Kashgar. UNESCO-listed Silk Roads components at Jiaohe, Kizilgaha, Kizil, and Subashi give the route a stronger historical spine than generic desert pull-offs.Permit required
IconicNoto Peninsula Recovery LoopA clockwise, recovery-aware circuit from Kanazawa through Chirihama and Shika to Wajima, Cape Rokkosaki, Suzu, Nanao, and Wakura, designed around businesses and cultural sites that have reopened while clearly acknowledging continuing reconstruction.EV-friendlyLoop / circuit
IconicOrkhon Valley Heartland LoopA six-day Kharkhorin loop through the UNESCO-listed Orkhon cultural landscape, with a measured Khujirt approach, a named camp near Ulaan Tsutgalan, separate full days for the waterfall and Tövkhön Monastery, and a conservative rough-track return.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsLoop / circuit
IconicQinghai Lake Circuit from XiningA genuine clockwise circuit from Xining reaches Qinghai Lake through Riyue Mountain, uses the officially managed Erlangjian and Heimahe viewing areas, follows the west and north shores through Gangcha and Haiyan, and returns to Xining. Chaka Salt Lake is deliberately excluded: it is a separate southwest extension, not part of the 360-km lake loop.Permit requiredLoop / circuit
NotableSanriku Coast: Hachinohe to HiraizumiA reverse journey down the official northern Sanriku corridor, from Hachinohe's fishing coast through Kitayamazaki, Jodogahama, Kamaishi, Rikuzentakata, and Kesennuma before finishing at Hiraizumi's World Heritage temples.EV-friendly
NotableSanriku-Akita Custom Tohoku SamplerA six-day custom regional sampler combining two excellent but distinct Tohoku drives: Matsushima and the Sanriku coast, then the Morioka-Lake Tazawa-Kakunodate inland corridor. Clearly exposed transfer days lead south to Hiraizumi for Chuson-ji and its Konjikido, then west to a separate Yamadera day. The result is a broad one-way Sendai-to-Yamadera journey, not a classic loop.EV-friendly
NotableShikoku Pilgrimage Road TripDrive the canonical Shikoku Henro in clockwise jun-uchi order from Temple 1 Ryozenji to Temple 88 Okuboji. The 12-day plan visits every numbered temple in sequence through Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa, with the long Muroto, Ashizuri, and southern Ehime transfers given their own realistic stages. It is an intensive pilgrimage rather than a general sightseeing loop: the temples, worship routine, coastal roads, and mountain approaches are the experience.EV-friendly
NotableSouth Korea South Coast: Busan to MokpoA coherent westbound journey along South Korea's southern shore, linking Busan's temples and beaches with Tongyeong's island views, Namhae's terraced coast, Hadong's tea country, Yeosu's waterfront, and Mokpo's mountain-and-archipelago panorama.EV-friendly
IconicWanxianshan & Guoliang Tunnel VisitA realistic two-day Xinxiang–Wanxianshan visit that drives only to the official entrance, then uses the scenic shuttle and walking paths for Guoliang Tunnel, the cliff-gallery viewpoints, Guoliang Village, Tianchi, and the Grand Canyon viewing deck.
NotableXi'an to Pingyao via Yan'an & HukouA focused historical drive from Xi'an through Huangling and Yan'an to the Yellow River at Hukou, then east to the complete UNESCO property of Pingyao Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple, and Zhenguo Temple. The seven-day plan gives the major sites real visiting time without the former Qikou detour or a padded second day of vague old-town wandering.Permit required
IconicYunnan Tea Horse Road HighlightsA focused drive through the classic northwest-Yunnan corridor: enter through Kunming, continue to Dali and Erhai Lake, overnight in the genuine caravan stop of Shaxi, explore Naxi Lijiang, then follow the Jinsha River past Tiger Leaping Gorge to the Tibetan cultural landscape of Shangri-La.Permit required
IconicZhangye Danxia to DunhuangA properly paced five-day Hexi Corridor journey from Zhangye's Danxia landforms and Giant Buddha Temple through Jiayuguan Fortress to Dunhuang's Mingsha oasis, reserved Mogao Caves, and a full west-desert day at Yumenguan, Hecang, and the Han Great Wall.
IconicBaeksu Coastal RoadKorea's classic short Yellow Sea drive, beginning with Beopseongpo harbour and the region's croaker-drying and gulbi food tradition before following the finest Baeksu cliff section from Daesin Lighthouse past the Sunset Exhibition Hall and 365 Health Stairs to a signed golden-hour viewpoint.EV-friendly
Hidden GemBusan–Jinju–Suncheon–Gwangju Cultural RouteA three-day westbound cultural route from Busan to Gwangju via Jinju's Nam River fortress, Hadong's historic tea landscape, and both halves of Suncheon's garden-and-wetland experience, using a realistic sequence and the full routed distance.EV-friendly
IconicGuilin, Longji & Li River to YangshuoThe coherent classic sequence starts with Guilin, makes the Dragon's Backbone terraces a northbound overnight and returns to Guilin, then follows the Li River one way through the signature karst landscape to Yangshuo for the Yulong River countryside. It no longer pretends a cruise passenger and their parked car can be in two places at once.EV-friendlyPermit required
IconicLake Khövsgöl from MörönA five-day Mörön circuit that uses the paved road to Khatgal, then slows down at Lake Khövsgöl for a weather-checked boat trip, a separate guided horse-riding day, and a locally driven western-shore stage through Jankhai to Toilogt before returning to Mörön.4WD onlyOff-road sections
NotableSeoul to Busan Cultural OverlanderA five-day north-to-south cultural journey with a real Seoul opening day, Suwon's fortress, a full Andong-Hahoe sequence, a dedicated Gyeongju heritage day, and enough time after the final transfer for Busan's hillside, market, and waterfront neighborhoods.EV-friendly
IconicZhangjiajie, Furong & FenghuangA six-day western-Hunan route gives Wulingyuan's sandstone forest two proper days, treats Tianmen Mountain as its own reserved excursion, then drives south through Furong's waterfall town and Dehang Canyon to finish at Fenghuang. The schedule preserves the region's headline sights without combining a canyon hike, road transfer, boat, and night walk into one implausible afternoon.EV-friendlyPermit required