RV troubles in China: campsite shortage and conflicts with authorities

Jinan Haizhou Special Vehicle Co., Ltd. submitted the Zhonghaizhou ZHZ5143XLJ motorhome for approval in the 408th batch of China's MIIT announcement on June 10, 2026. The vehicle measures 5998 mm in length and 2550 mm in width, meeting blue-plate standards and drivable with a C1 license. It features air suspension, ZF ABS, and sleeping accommodations for 2–5 people. This marks the company's entry into the RV market from its commercial vehicle background.

Weiertefen unveiled the Kaiyue Ningjie A68 motorhome at the CMS show in Wuhan on June 17, 2026. Based on a CATL extended-range skateboard chassis, it features a 68 kWh battery that charges from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes. The motorhome has dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 285-liter fresh water tank, and a 4.2-meter interior living space. Starting price is 468,000 yuan, with a purchase tax exemption for new energy vehicles.

CATL introduced the Xinlan chassis at the CMS Wuhan 2026 expo, designed specifically for electric motorhomes. The chassis features a low-floor height of 450 mm, 200 mm lower than traditional models, and improves space utilization by 20%. It offers 230 km of pure electric range and over 800 km total range. CATL announced a 100,000 km real-world test across six routes including Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Tibet, with open test drives for users.

At a conference in Alxa, Inner Mongolia, the China Tourism Vehicle and Vessel Association released a report on the development of the RV, caravan, and camping market for 2023–2024. According to the report, in 2023 the market entered a phase of stable growth with slowing pace, intensified competition, and shrinking profit margins. The share of young drivers (18–35 years old) exceeded 50%, and the total number of RV and caravan trips reached 36 billion person-trips, accounting for 73.6% of all domestic tourist trips. Key trends: cost control, youth orientation, development of lightweight and flexible campsites, and digitalization and intelligent services.

A Citroën C5 X owner used the vehicle for overnight camping. Folding the rear seats creates an uneven surface due to a protrusion, requiring a thick blanket to level it. Two adults can sleep in the back, with luggage moved to the front seats.

Authorities in Shuicheng, Guizhou province, have published a detailed guide for RV parking in the city and its surroundings. The document covers five official parking sites, their locations, available services (water, electricity, restrooms), and fees. Prices range from free parking to 20 yuan per day, with monthly payment options available.