Converting a car into a camper: from 300 to 1000 yuan with risks

Nine Chinese ministries, including Commerce, Culture and Tourism, and Finance, jointly issued a notice on measures to stimulate the automotive aftermarket. The plan includes building high-quality camper campsites near tourist attractions and cities, upgrading utilities (electricity, water) and medical rescue services, and improving signage. Authorities will also develop tourism routes linking sports events with travel, such as the 'Travel along with the competitions' premium routes.

A 7-day motorhome itinerary for Lushan Mountain (Jiangxi) in May 2026 has been outlined. The loop starts and ends in Nanchang, covering 800–1000 km. Per-person budget is 2500–4000 yuan (including fuel, meals, accommodation, and tickets). Key risks include difficulty booking vehicle entry permits and driving hazards in fog.

Dongfeng Fengxing launched the 2025 Lingzhi New Energy with a starting price of 8.99 million yuan (after limited-time trade-in: from 9.98 million yuan). The vehicle features a 3m wheelbase, over 5m length, and offers a pure electric version (420km range, 35-minute fast charge) and an extended-range version (combined range 1023km). Cargo volume is 4.3 m³, rear seats fold into a double bed. Pure electric cost is 0.08 yuan per km, cheaper than subway.

The AITO M6 (starting at 259,800 yuan) and M7 (from 279,800 yuan) offer different trade-offs for camping. The M6 features a flat bed of 2282 mm, 48 storage compartments, and a 202-liter front trunk. The M7 provides up to 2252 liters of cargo space and a six-seat option, but the rear seats do not fold flat. Price difference reaches up to 40,000 yuan.

The factory of Qilang RV Equipment Co., Ltd. in Yiyang County, Luoyang, Henan Province, is operating at full capacity due to increasing orders for domestic smart motorhomes. The company reports a steady stream of orders, indicating strong market demand.

A man driving a vehicle worth over 500,000 yuan on an international road trip with his son had his car remotely locked for 30 hours, disabling all smart functions. The manufacturer stated the lock is used to prevent resale or theft and may reoccur when crossing multiple borders.