Holidays on wheels

Caravan campsites in suburbs have become popular getaways for families and the outdoorsy crowd. [Photo provided to China Daily]

TV, WiFi and air conditioners are available in the caravans, some of which can house six people and cost about 1,500 yuan ($219) for weekends and holidays and 800 yuan during the offseason.

At the resort, guests can enjoy fruit-picking and fishing besides barbecues and bonfire parties.

"We also have deals with many child-parent organizations and outdoor activity groups," says Jiang.

CTS HK purchased nearly 100 caravans from the US, 30 for the Beijing resort, and the rest for its Sichuan and Yunnan operations.

Meanwhile, the company is now focused on developing caravan networks and making things easier for caravan travelers.

"We believe that the caravan rental market holds great potential, and that things could mature in three to five years," says Jiang.

Speaking of the charm of caravanning, Jiang says that it is more like living in a mobile home.

Also, while domestic travels typically last for one to two weeks, self-drive trips could take more than a month, says Jiang.

Trips from the Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan provinces to the Tibet autonomous region are very popular with caravan travelers, she says.

As for outbound trips, driving from Yunnan across the border to Laos, Myanmar and Thailand is also popular.