Chinese replace hotels with cars: new economic trend in camping and travel

According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), China had over 21 million EV charging points by Q1 2026, up about 50% year-on-year. This has fueled a 'car camping' trend where owners use EVs as mobile homes, saving on hotels. The IEA reports China accounts for over 65% of global public charging points and over 80% of fast chargers. Automakers like XPeng and BYD add sleep modes and V2L features for cooking and work. The camping accessories market is projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, per iiMedia Research.

The largest camper base in China, with 728 standard pitches, has opened at Parking Lot No. 4 in Baili Dujuan, Guizhou Province. Originally built as overflow parking for the spring rhododendron bloom, the site now operates year-round at 20 yuan per day for a standard spot and 38 yuan for VIP. In 2025, the base hosted 54,500 camper vans and 151,400 tent campers. Local authorities upgraded utilities and added showers after visitor feedback, without outsourcing management.

Nine Chinese ministries, including Commerce, Culture and Tourism, and Finance, jointly issued a notice on measures to stimulate the automotive aftermarket. The plan includes building high-quality camper campsites near tourist attractions and cities, upgrading utilities (electricity, water) and medical rescue services, and improving signage. Authorities will also develop tourism routes linking sports events with travel, such as the 'Travel along with the competitions' premium routes.

A 7-day motorhome itinerary for Lushan Mountain (Jiangxi) in May 2026 has been outlined. The loop starts and ends in Nanchang, covering 800–1000 km. Per-person budget is 2500–4000 yuan (including fuel, meals, accommodation, and tickets). Key risks include difficulty booking vehicle entry permits and driving hazards in fog.

Dongfeng Fengxing launched the 2025 Lingzhi New Energy with a starting price of 8.99 million yuan (after limited-time trade-in: from 9.98 million yuan). The vehicle features a 3m wheelbase, over 5m length, and offers a pure electric version (420km range, 35-minute fast charge) and an extended-range version (combined range 1023km). Cargo volume is 4.3 m³, rear seats fold into a double bed. Pure electric cost is 0.08 yuan per km, cheaper than subway.

The AITO M6 (starting at 259,800 yuan) and M7 (from 279,800 yuan) offer different trade-offs for camping. The M6 features a flat bed of 2282 mm, 48 storage compartments, and a 202-liter front trunk. The M7 provides up to 2252 liters of cargo space and a six-seat option, but the rear seats do not fold flat. Price difference reaches up to 40,000 yuan.