Chinese Tourists Save on Hotels by Sleeping in EVs

In China, retirees are increasingly buying motorhomes for travel after retirement. Dealers report that pensioners are the primary purchasers of motorhomes. This market segment is growing rapidly, with manufacturers adapting products to the needs of elderly drivers.

From September 3 to 6, the 2026 China Cultural Tourism Industry Expo was held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center. Foton Tunland exhibited the Tunland X8C motorhome, the Fengjing i camper, and the Tunland X6, targeting long-distance travel, short-distance camping, and commercial passenger transport. The X8C features a Cummins 2.8T engine and 6AT gearbox, with a 200-liter fresh water tank and solar charging; the Fengjing i is based on a new energy platform with a 460 km range and V2L discharge; the X6 is a 9-seat passenger model with AEBS and other safety systems.

Rongcheng in Shandong Province has become China's largest motorhome production and export base within 15 years. In the first half of the year, motorhome exports from Rongcheng reached 1.06 billion yuan, up 21% year-on-year, accounting for over 55% of the national total. Local companies have adopted digital technologies, cutting production time from 35 to 10 days. The city hosts 7 large manufacturers and over 50 component suppliers, enabling full-cycle production within a 50 km radius.

The article describes a three-day motorhome route in Liaoning Province, connecting the Moli Shangri-La campsite in Anshan (77,000 sq m) and Fenglinggu in Benxi (the first 4C campsite in Northeast China). Daily driving does not exceed 1.5 hours, with a total distance of about 300 km. The cost for a family of two adults and one child is estimated at 880–1360 yuan (including site fees, fuel, and food), which is cheaper than a seven-day route. Campsites are equipped with electricity and water, near the Qianshan scenic area. Booking 3–5 days in advance is recommended, especially on weekends.

In August 2026, a comparison of two routes for a three-day motorhome camping trip was published in China. The first route is around Taihu Lake (3 days, 2 nights) from Shanghai via Xishan Island to the campsite on Yangshan Mountain (2.5 hours by car). The second is based at the Zhenhu Luzhou campsite in Taizhou, which includes 82 themed sites, 1620 mu of territory, and activities such as horseback riding and archery. The Taihu Lake route is suitable for nature lovers, while Zhenhu Luzhou is suitable for families with children.

At the China Cultural Tourism Industry Expo 2026 in Tianjin, new formats combining culture and tourism are driving consumer spending. According to China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic trips in the first half of 2026 reached 3.463 billion, up 5.4% year-on-year, with total spending of 3.21 trillion yuan (+2%). At the Changzhou Dinosaur Park booth, visitors engaged in VR and MR experiences, while at the Dong'e traditional medicine zone, bracelet sales exceeded 10,000 yuan on the first day. Xingcheng Yao showcased motorhomes and campers, and a "beer exchange" with dynamic pricing attracted over 10,000 daily visitors in Qingdao.