Tibet's road network expansion makes RV travel a new trend

The Fourth China RV Family Happiness (Grassland) Carnival will be held from August 7 to 9, 2026 at Tianbao Nasutu Grassland Tourist Resort (Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, 4A, about 230 km from Beijing). Early bird tickets are 299 yuan per vehicle (until July 31), rising to 599 yuan from August 1. Benefits include four-day free admission, welcome ceremony with hada and kumis, RV parade, cooking exchange, bonfire party, lucky draw, and discounts on attractions.

The Mercedes Marco Polo is a factory-built camper based on the V-Class, developed with Westfalia. The price difference over a standard V-Class is 300,000–500,000 yuan, while a DIY conversion costs 150,000–250,000 yuan. The factory version includes an electric pop-up roof, a full kitchen with sink, stove and fridge, and an MBAC control system. Benefits include higher integration, retained factory warranty and better resale value. For users who camp more than 10 times a year, the premium pays off in 3–5 years through time savings and reliability.

On June 10, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the 409th batch of vehicle announcements, including 65 new models of recreational and camping vehicles from 55 manufacturers. Among them, 49 are motorhomes (46 self-propelled and 3 trailers), including 11 new energy models (3 fully electric). Additionally, 16 camping vehicles were presented, with 4 new energy models (3 fully electric).

A taxi driver surnamed Xue from Juye (Heze, Shandong) drove his electric taxi with his wife and two children from Shandong to Lhasa, Tibet. The 3,600+ km journey took seven days (July 7–13, 2026). The route followed G318 with a short detour via S434, returning via G317 through Qinghai and Lanzhou. Costs were about 10,000 yuan. Charging infrastructure was adequate with no queues. At the Dongda Mountain pass (over 5,000 m), the children experienced mild altitude sickness. The most memorable section was the 72 bends of the Nujiang River, with potholes on the road.

During the summer of 2026, China sees a sharp rise in car and motorhome rentals. Rental companies are expanding fleets, with 80% of new vehicles in Beijing being electric. Motorhome rental prices have dropped 20–30% year-on-year, while orders in Xinjiang and Yunnan increased by 50%. The government supports motorhome camping under the 15th Five-Year Plan for expanding consumption.

From July 16 to 20, 2026, the Henghe motorhome camp in Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province, will host a festival featuring motorhome and tent camping, barbecue with a professional team, an outdoor swimming pool with separate deep and shallow areas, and evening live music. The event is organized by the Yangcheng Information Center and the Henghe town government.