Chinese cars – the way to go!

Chinese cars are not the old third world cars that some people imagine.

In fact most of the cars on the road are quite new.

In Chengdu and Chongqing I saw Toyotas, Fords, and Volkswagons amongst others on the road.

Many well known international car manufacturers have established plants in China.

The Ford Motor Company has a large plant in Chongqing. In fact many of the expats in Chongqing are associated with the automobile industry.

The Chinese auto industry is growing. You can see this by the number of modern cars on the road.

Hiring a car or minibus for short trips is a great way of getting about.

When you hire the vehicle, you hire a driver with it. You can share the cost when you have a small group of people.

The larger hotels (like the Holiday Inn) have their own minibuses which can be hired. You don't even have to stay at the hotel to do it.

For example, a group and I hired the Holiday Inn minibus and driver to take us to a scenic location called Black Mountain (which is a gorge) near Chongqing.

It was a 2 hour drive there. The driver dropped us off at the entrance and picked us up at the other end of the Gorge at the end of the day.

The cost was about 800 yuan for a group of eight. That's not bad when the cost is divided per person. One great advantage is the driver knows where to go - so you don't have to find your own way often with language difficulties.

Travel agents will arrange cars and drivers for you as well.

Friends of mine hired a car and driver to travel from Chongqing to Chengdu (about 400 kms), drive them around on the weekend and return to Chongqing.

It is an excellent way of getting around in comfort and not too expensive either!