Driving homes away from home

Strong travel desire and safety concerns following the novel coronavirus epidemic have given China's recreational-vehicle market a shot in the arm.

Zhang Xiaolin placed an order on the spot at a recent RV fair in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province.

The 61-year-old plans to take his recently retired wife to travel around the country in an RV now the epidemic has been basically brought under control in the country.

He spent more than 210,000 yuan ($31,300) on an RV that provides for most of his family's daily needs, such as cooking and answering the call of the nature.

Zhang has been to many tourist attractions across the country but mostly on group tours.

"We can drive to places around Nanjing and have fun," he says.

"Or we can take our grandson with us. It's only interesting to travel with family."

Many travelers purchased RVs for similar reasons at the CMT China tourism-and-leisure exhibition that attracted more than 5,000 visitors in August.

According to the organizers, the three-day event led to sales of more than 80 RVs onsite.

Jiangsu-based Dexing RV's sales have increased by more than 150 percent year-on-year since the outbreak, sales manager Ding Yajian says.

Ding considers the sales growth a result of Chinese people's longing to travel, and appreciation of relatively private and safe spaces.

RV products have also continued to upgrade to meet expanding consumer needs.