Kalajun scenic area: motorhome and caravan entry rules

Motorhome owners often cite dumping the black water tank (toilet waste) as one of the most unpleasant tasks. The process requires hygiene precautions and the use of specialised chemicals to break down waste. The article describes typical difficulties and offers practical tips to minimise odour and mess.

Nine Chinese ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, jointly issued a notice that separately addresses motorhome camping. The document outlines measures to improve traffic conditions, enhance supporting services, and promote industrial upgrading. Jiangsu Province, a major motorhome production and sales hub, already operates dozens of campsites. In Yizheng City's Chenji Town, known as the 'motorhome town,' 708 units were sold in the first five months of 2025, generating 360 million yuan in revenue. Authorities also plan to establish 40 pilot cities for automotive consumption reform, with motorhome camping as a key focus.

The article reviews five Chinese scenic areas with official RV campsites: Longyang Gorge (Qinghai), Guangwu Mountain-Nuoshuine (Sichuan), Puzhehei (Yunnan), Xiangshawan (Inner Mongolia) and Thousand Island Lake (Zhejiang). All campsites are equipped with standard water and electricity hookups, sewage dump stations and EV charging piles. The Longyang Gorge campsite holds a 4C certification from the China National RV and Camping Association.

The Fourth China RV Family Happiness (Grassland) Carnival will be held from August 7 to 9, 2026 at Tianbao Nasutu Grassland Tourist Resort (Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, 4A, about 230 km from Beijing). Early bird tickets are 299 yuan per vehicle (until July 31), rising to 599 yuan from August 1. Benefits include four-day free admission, welcome ceremony with hada and kumis, RV parade, cooking exchange, bonfire party, lucky draw, and discounts on attractions.

The Mercedes Marco Polo is a factory-built camper based on the V-Class, developed with Westfalia. The price difference over a standard V-Class is 300,000–500,000 yuan, while a DIY conversion costs 150,000–250,000 yuan. The factory version includes an electric pop-up roof, a full kitchen with sink, stove and fridge, and an MBAC control system. Benefits include higher integration, retained factory warranty and better resale value. For users who camp more than 10 times a year, the premium pays off in 3–5 years through time savings and reliability.

On June 10, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the 409th batch of vehicle announcements, including 65 new models of recreational and camping vehicles from 55 manufacturers. Among them, 49 are motorhomes (46 self-propelled and 3 trailers), including 11 new energy models (3 fully electric). Additionally, 16 camping vehicles were presented, with 4 new energy models (3 fully electric).