Two people, one dog, and a campervan—this is the dream of many travel enthusiasts. Guangzhou couple Gao Zhen and Tingting made this dream come true. The stunning videos and photos of beautiful scenery they posted along their journey amazed their social media friends and went viral online. Even the Ministry of Public Security “took note of this romantic story” and issued a reminder about modified vehicles.
Since setting off after the 2017 Spring Festival, Gao Zhen and Tingting have been traveling for over a year. They previously worked in advertising in Guangzhou, but the high-pressure environment left them feeling numb. They decided to boldly embark on a road trip across China while continuing to work during their travels.
Gao Zhen bought an ordinary minivan, did extensive research, and spent three months modifying it. He removed the back seats, added soundproofing and thermal insulation layers, and installed flooring in the vehicle. To make cooking easier, he also added water and electricity facilities. The tires were also replaced with ones specifically designed for off-roading.
While in Inner Mongolia, they encountered a stray puppy and decided to adopt it, naming it “Yangguang.” It has since grown into a strong and majestic dog.
Last year, they traveled through Tibet in August and Xinjiang in September. Their destinations were chosen randomly—they avoided tourist spots and highways, opting instead for provincial roads and smaller paths in search of unique scenery. Along the way, some people approached them for advertising opportunities, fulfilling their plan to work while traveling. They also accumulated plenty of content material.
However, the story of this Guangzhou couple’s campervan road trip recently caught the attention of the official Weibo account of the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. In a post, the bureau warned that illegal modifications can be very dangerous. “We also noticed this romantic story and wish the couple a happy life. But out of professional concern, we’d like to share some regulations regarding motor vehicle modifications and change of registration,” the post read. It emphasized that all modifications must be carried out under safe and legal premises.