Motorhome tourists stop in Suibin for border scenery

Amid China's economic slowdown and rising travel costs, a growing number of young people are opting for car camping on weekends as a cheaper alternative to foreign trips or hotel stays. This trend has created a new market worth billions of dollars. Electric vehicles with V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability allow using the battery as a power source for appliances, while camping mode and large batteries ensure comfortable overnight stays. Manufacturers like BYD, Li Auto, Nio and Xpeng actively promote this concept in their advertising.

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.

A short video posted by a transnational couple of bloggers from Yizheng, Jiangsu province, has garnered over one million views on overseas platforms. The video features a locally produced motorhome, drawing praise from foreign netizens. Yizheng's Chenji town has been developing motorhome manufacturing since 2011, now hosting three major brands and 14 supporting enterprises. One in ten private motorhomes in China is produced here. In the first five months of this year, 708 units were sold, with invoiced sales reaching 360 million yuan. Prices range from 200,000 to 2 million yuan. Local authorities are also building campsites, simplifying procedures for supply stations, and promoting new formats such as 'motorhome + intangible cultural heritage'.