RV travel in China: infrastructure shortage and daily challenges

The average rental price for motorhomes in China has fallen by 20–30% year-on-year, with orders rising in popular tourist destinations. In Xinjiang and Yunnan, motorhome rentals increased by 50%. The government's 15th Five-Year Plan includes support for motorhome camping, and three cities (Yangzhou, Qingdao, Lanzhou) have been selected as pilot cities for auto consumption reform. Experts caution that buying a motorhome requires careful calculation: using it 30 days a year results in daily costs of about 2,200 yuan, comparable to a five-star hotel room.

Chery has introduced its first motorhome built on a light truck chassis, the Reve N6 Pro. Based on the Sinotruk Howo Tongshuai Pro platform, it features an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 200-litre fuel tank, giving a range of up to 1600 km. Dimensions are 5998×2550×3290 mm, allowing it to be driven with a standard B-class licence. Standard equipment includes a 400-litre fresh water tank, a 150-litre grey water tank, a 25.6 V 628 Ah lithium battery (approx. 16 kWh, expandable to 32 kWh) and 2480 W of solar panels. The recommended price is 378,000 yuan.

Chinese RV manufacturers face assembly issues with large bodies: leaks, misalignment, and excess weight. As an alternative to stamped metal and fiberglass (FRP), thick-sheet thermoforming is proposed. Zhejiang Liansu, with 12 automated lines, offers two options: one-piece forming for standard RVs (up to 4×2×1.1 m) and modular assembly for oversized shells. One-piece forming from ABS or PC+ASA eliminates leaks and halves fitting time; the modular version uses sealed locks and CNC machining with ±0.1 mm accuracy.

Lynk & Co started sales of the 07GT on July 23 in four trims, priced from 145,800 to 196,800 yuan. The car features an EM-P hybrid system, 200 km of electric range and 1,422 km total range. It can tow up to 1.6 tonnes and provides 6 kW of external power.

Chinese manufacturer Nomadisen has introduced a new off-road motorhome based on a Volvo chassis with six-wheel drive and a double cab. The model is powered by a diesel engine and is designed for rough terrain. Sales are expected to begin in 2026.

A driver in his 40s completed a journey in a converted bus motorhome through the Tianshan Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau. The route passed through Xinjiang and high-altitude regions. Details about the vehicle's specifications and exact trip duration were not disclosed.