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'''China''' is the most populated country in the world. Hitchhiking is not common at all and hardly anyone speaks English. People seem to understand the ''thumb'' though. StillThat said, often the most common signal for hitching in China is to extend your arm out straight with your drivers will try hand flat and then to drop you at a bus or train station though. Your best bet is to signify that you want to get out as soon as they are leaving the highwayyour hand down slowly.

Often your drivers will try to drop you at a bus or train station though. Your best bet is to signify that you want to get out as soon as they are leaving the highway. People's driving style is not too safe. Expect people to honk, drive while holding a phone, overtaking while going uphill, or combinations of these. Buckle up if you can. But still, driving style is much safer than in Russia and neighbour neighbouring countries. Chinese don't exceed speed limit much and they ''do'' buckle up, unlike Russians. :) Hitching is treated as a very different concept from that of the Western concept. First, its rarely free. Many car owners in rural areas supplement their income by picking up hitchhikers. In the rural area's, its sometimes the only way to get around. Until recently, there were few private cars, and even today, most of the rural population lacks a vehicle. Thus, they hitch to get around for short distances. However, around cities and between cities of great distances, hitching is not advised. Not that it is dangerous, but it is painfully slow and generally won't get you to your destination, if its more than 100km. Plus, the bus and rail system is efficient and relatively cheap.  In summation, hitching is not the safest optin, but its not really more dangerous than anything else in China. It involves a different hand gesture than the thumbs out, and its best if hitching is confined to rural areas for short distances. If you really want to go hitching to experience the people, try and get outside the city and pick a random location that has nothing touristy. That'll fill you up on the real China quick.