Hakuryuu, while often referred to as the party's jeep, is actually a small, white dragon and a full member of the Sanzo party in Saiyuki Reload. In his natural form, he is roughly the size of a house cat, with a long, serpentine neck, two bird-like legs, and two membranous wings similar to a bat. He has white scales and hair, with distinctive red eyes. His other form is a dark green, fully functional jeep large enough to carry all four members of the group, which is the form he takes for most of their westward journey.

Hakuryuu was found in a forest in a weakened state by Cho Hakkai, who brought him home and became his caretaker and owner. He is a creature born from an experimental combination of science and youkai magic, which accounts for his unique abilities and physical traits. He is deeply loyal to Hakkai, who named him, and their bond is the strongest of his relationships. While he serves as the group's transportation, he is considered an integral member of the team, carrying the other four men on his back.

In terms of personality, Hakuryuu does not speak, but he demonstrates clear affection and loyalty to his companions. He is calm and generally tolerant of the bickering and chaos that often surrounds the Sanzo party. He is shown to be playful, particularly with Son Goku, who is very fond of him and enjoys playing with the small dragon. Hakuryuu also displays a sense of worry and responsibility for the group, as seen when he goes to look for Goku after the boy falls from a cliff. He initially did not get along well with Sha Gojyo, but gradually warmed up to the half-youkai. Genjo Sanzo appears the least outwardly connected to him but holds respect for the dragon, appreciating his role as their transport and understanding when he needs rest. Hakkai is the person Hakuryuu is most loyal to, and their relationship is central to his character. In a deeper layer of his background, it is revealed that Hakuryuu is the reincarnation of Goujun, the Dragon King of the Western Sea and a commanding officer of Heaven's army, who was the direct superior to the past lives of two of his current companions.

Hakuryuu's primary role in the story is to provide the Sanzo party with essential transportation across the vast distances of their journey, but he is more than just a vehicle. He is a constant, silent companion whose presence adds a layer of warmth and loyalty to the group. His motivations are simple: to support Hakkai and the rest of the party, often resting when needed and using the food he eats in his dragon form to convert into fuel for his jeep form. His notable abilities are his dual-form transformation between a small dragon and a jeep, as well as the ability to breathe fire in his dragon form. He has a varied diet, preferring meat, but has a strong dislike for all types of onions.