China is divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions.
We explored China twice in our own vehicle, 8 weeks in total. And once as fly in tourist. Unfortunately, China and Tibet still have many restrictions for self-drive overlanders. The only way to explore China in your own vehicle is with a guide (We called them spies or minders) Everything is strictly controlled and monitored; China will not allow you to travel on your own in your own vehicle.
Tibet is even worse here the authorities enforced severe restrictions on the freedoms of religion, expression, movement, and assembly. Tibetans who speak out over issues such as mass relocation, environmental degradation, or the phasing out of the Tibetan language in primary education are met with repression and jail.
We were told, Chinese citizens willing to travel overseas, need to obtain an exit permit from the Chinese government and must submit an application to the appropriate authorities. Residents considered a threat to national security, or not a member of the communist party are prohibited from leaving China.