Do you still remember that renowned self-driving travel enthusiast in China’s RV community, the elderly man with the online alias "Elder Ye"? In China’s RV circles, "Elder Ye" has earned deep admiration from many insiders for his humorous and refined charisma, extensive knowledge from years of reading, and rich life experiences. At the first China RV Exhibition (All in CARAVANING 2012), "Elder Ye" was also honored with the 2012 China RV Personality of the Year Award, becoming an outstanding representative figure in China’s RV industry. Not long ago, this elderly man did something truly unbelievable—he drove his RV all the way from China to Europe.
It’s important to know that self-driving isn’t just about having the courage of will; the most crucial factor is having a solid foundation of good physical health. Although "Elder Ye" is over sixty years old, his healthy and active lifestyle has kept him in great shape, providing a strong physical backing for this European journey.
The Great Wall RV in Italy
During the trip, besides enjoying the diverse landscapes of various countries, "Elder Ye" also attended a famous European RV exhibition—the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in Germany. At the RV show, "Elder Ye" not only learned about the development of RVs abroad but also shared insights from the exhibition with RV enthusiasts back in China.
"At 9 PM on August 25th, I arrived at the Düsseldorf RV show campsite and was immediately amazed—there were thousands of RVs parked in the huge lot. 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, giving me a big thumbs up. The campsite charges 15 euros per day, so I paid 30 euros for two days."
——Excerpted from @Elder Ye’s Weibo post
The elderly man at the Düsseldorf RV Show in Germany
Notably, the Great Wall RV driven by "Elder Ye" was the first RV of a Chinese brand to enter the main campsite, attracting widespread attention from local media. TV stations and newspapers alike reported on him. A photo of the elderly man and his beloved RV appeared on the news section of a local newspaper the next day.
Speaking of "Elder Ye’s" ride—the Great Wall RV—there’s an interesting story behind it. In 2010, retired lawyer "Elder Ye" invested all his savings to buy a second-hand Great Wall RV for over 100,000 RMB and went on a self-driving trip through Southeast Asia with his wife. This journey not only broadened their horizons but also helped Mr. Zhang Zhiwu realize the true meaning of happiness: happiness is the contentment after constant striving, and happiness is the aspiration that follows fulfillment. The elderly man joked, "We’re not wealthy, but we fund our own civilized travels with money we’ve earned ourselves. We don’t litter, we don’t park improperly, we don’t spend a penny of taxpayers’ money, and we don’t bring shame to our motherland."
This European trip is also "Elder Ye’s" second long-distance journey following the Southeast Asia trip, and it posed another significant test for the vehicle. The elderly man has grown even more attached to his faithful ride: "The greatest feature of our Great Wall RV is its ruggedness. Other high-end RVs require premium fuel and fine treatment. When you end up in the middle of nowhere with no gas station in sight, it’s stressful. So, for those who love traveling, when choosing a vehicle, go for one that’s sturdy and dependable—it’ll save you a lot of trouble along the way."
Interior of the elderly man’s Great Wall RV
Reading through the updates on "Elder Ye’s" Weibo posts, we sincerely admire his way of exploring while traveling by RV, and we call on more domestic car owners to join international road trips. We also hope that China’s RV industry can grow rapidly and vigorously, providing greater convenience for RV road trips across the country.