Do you still remember that legendary self-driving travel enthusiast in China's RV community, known as "Elder Ye"? In the RV circles of China, "Elder Ye" is deeply respected for his humorous and refined personality, extensive knowledge from years of reading, and rich life experiences. At the first China RV Exhibition (All in CARAVANING 2012), "Elder Ye" was even honored with the 2012 China RV Person of the Year Award, becoming a distinguished figure in China’s RV community. Not long ago, this elderly gentleman did something truly incredible — he drove his RV all the way from China to Europe.
It’s worth noting that self-driving requires not only courage but, most importantly, a solid foundation of good health. Though "Elder Ye" is over sixty years old, his healthy and active lifestyle has helped him maintain excellent physical condition, thus giving him a strong body to rely on for this European journey.
The Great Wall RV in Italy
During the trip, aside from enjoying the diverse landscapes of different countries, "Elder Ye" also attended a famous European RV show — the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in Germany. At the RV exhibition, "Elder Ye" not only learned about the development of RVs abroad but also shared insights from the show with RV enthusiasts back in China.
"At 9 PM on August 25th, I arrived at the Düsseldorf RV show campsite and was immediately blown away. The huge parking lot had over a thousand RVs parked — I’d never seen so many RVs gathered together before, it was truly spectacular. The campsite had a bar, food services, showers, and restrooms. I took a wonderful hot shower. The staff there had never seen a Chinese RV before and were very surprised, constantly giving me a thumbs up. The campsite charged 15 euros per day, so I paid 30 euros for two nights."
—— Excerpted from @Elder Ye’s Weibo
The elder at the Düsseldorf RV Show in Germany
It’s noteworthy that the Great Wall RV driven by "Elder Ye" was the first RV of a Chinese brand to enter the main campsite, which attracted widespread attention from local media. TV stations and newspapers all reported on him. A photo of the elder with his beloved RV even made it to the front page of the local newspaper the next day.
Speaking of "Elder Ye’s" ride — the Great Wall RV — there’s an interesting story behind it. In 2010, the retired lawyer "Elder Ye" spent all his savings to buy a second-hand Great Wall RV for over 100,000 yuan and went on a self-driving trip through Southeast Asia with his wife. This experience not only broadened their horizons but also helped Mr. Zhang Zhiwu understand the true meaning of happiness: happiness is the fulfillment that comes after constant striving, and happiness is the hope that follows satisfaction. The elder joked, "We’re not rich, but we fund our own civilized travels with money we earned ourselves. We don’t litter, we don’t park improperly, we don’t spend a penny of taxpayers’ money, and we don’t embarrass our country."
And this trip to Europe was "Elder Ye’s" second long-distance journey after Southeast Asia, which was also quite a test for the vehicle. The elder has grown even fonder of his trusty ride: "The best feature of our Great Wall RV is how rugged it is. Other high-end RVs require premium fuel and fine treatment. When you’re in the middle of nowhere with no gas station in sight, it’s stressful not being able to find good fuel. So, for those who love traveling, when choosing a vehicle, go for one that’s tough and dependable — it’ll save you a lot of trouble along the way."
Interior of the elder’s Great Wall RV
Reading through "Elder Ye’s" continuously updated Weibo posts, we sincerely admire his spirit of exploring while traveling. We also call on more domestic drivers to join international road trips. We hope China’s RV industry can grow rapidly and vigorously, providing more convenience for RV travel across the country.