69-year-old veteran travels China with paralyzed wife in camper van for 17 years

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.

A tour operator has launched a three-day self-drive tour along the scenic 'Thousand Li of Mountains and Seas' route in Shandong province. The itinerary includes stops at Shijintan Beach in Haiyang, the Naxianghai resort in Weihai, and the Dongpuwan campsite. The tour costs 980 yuan per person and includes two nights' accommodation (tent and camper), two breakfasts and two lunches, and tickets to a sea carnival.

The Volvo V90 Cross Country is all-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive, making it suitable for long-distance travel on rough roads. The 2025 model starts at 447,900 yuan for the Zhiyuan version and 556,900 yuan for the Zhizun version. Annual maintenance costs are about 23,000–25,000 yuan, including fuel (9,420 yuan) and insurance (6,500 yuan), saving 3,000 yuan per year compared to similar SUVs. Ground clearance of 201 mm and cargo volume of 551–1,517 liters provide off-road capability and space. Recommended for families with a budget over 300,000 yuan, but not for city driving due to its width of 1,903 mm.

Sales of campers in China reached 7,376 units in 2025, up 85.61% year-on-year, driven by prices between 10,000 and 25,000 USD and relaxed regulations that do not require separate toilets or kitchens. In Guiyang, Guizhou province, a conversion industry cluster is emerging: one local workshop completed over 200 orders in 2025, offering custom solutions at 15–20% lower costs than coastal regions. Provincial authorities have included camper tourism support in their development strategy through 2030.

The article names three locations in China for grassland camping in 2026: the surroundings of Jining District in Ulanqab (a motorhome camp with 18°C and 15 minutes to a tertiary hospital), Gongbaolag Grassland in Taipus Banner (flat terrain and county hospital linkage), and the Ulanbutong Scenic Area (Red Cross station with AED and oxygen equipment). For families with children, Taipusi is recommended; for young couples, Ulanqab; for the elderly, Ulanbutong. The article provides data on costs (100 yuan per day for a motorhome spot in Ulanqab), distances to hospitals, and camp facilities.