Classic Cases in the Camping Industry

Car camping sites are very common and well-developed in Europe and the United States, with complete management and operational systems as well as star-rated grading standards. In China, the sector is still in its growth stage. On January 10, 2022, the China Tourism Vehicle and Vessel Association announced the second batch of 5C- and 4C-level self-driving RV campsites: 7 campsites were rated 5C and 13 campsites 4C. This brought the total number of high-grade self-driving RV campsites nationwide to 35.

1. Guangzhou Latitude 23°8′ Forest Camp

Guangzhou Latitude 23°8′ Forest Camp is a leisure and nature education campsite designed for family recreation, nature exploration, and “glamping” vacations. Leveraging its original lush lychee forest, the camp creates a tasteful wilderness atmosphere with unique landscapes and personalized tents. It integrates family-friendly activities, farming experiences, and educational programs, injecting vitality into the “camp +” model and embodying a lifestyle of luxury camping close to nature.

In 2021, the China Tourism Vehicle and Vessel Association carried out the second round of RV campsite grading nationwide. The Guangdong Department of Culture and Tourism attached great importance, establishing a dedicated task force to oversee the application process. Following the national industry standard LB/T078-2019 Quality Classification of Self-driving RV Campsites, the camp lived up to expectations and was awarded 5C certification.

The camp’s location is highly advantageous, lying within a 1.5-hour “golden tourism radius” covering all major cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, home to more than 70 million people with strong spending power. In recent years, the camp has become the top destination for short trips, family holidays, educational tours, and RV travel in the region.

The surrounding tourism resources are abundant, with all major scenic spots and resorts reachable within one hour. Nearby attractions include Conghua Hot Spring Resort Town, Liuxihe National Forest Park, Shimen Forest Park, Sunac Resort, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Baishuizhai Scenic Area, Chimelong Tourist Resort, and Qingyuan Hot Springs.

The camp welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually. It features six themed luxury accommodation zones — Starry Sky, Pink Journey, Exploration Zone, Secret Jungle, Magical Frontier, and Lychee Lakefront — along with 12 supporting facilities (including a lakeside restaurant, sandy beach, wedding plaza, conference center, and kids’ club) and 14 family education and entertainment activities such as bonfire feasts, lantern blessings, alpaca encounters, mole playgrounds, and archery fields.

2. Park Playa Bara, Spain

Park Playa Bara is a large integrated holiday resort combining sightseeing, entertainment, and services. Located next to the famous Roda de Bara Beach in northeastern Spain, it features lush Mediterranean vegetation, a beautiful coastline, and crystal-clear waters — ideal for water sports and leisure.

The campsite is divided into residential, entertainment, business, and sports zones, separated by greenery. Facilities include independent water supply and sewage treatment systems, 220V electricity, modern restrooms, showers, free hot water, laundry, ironing, and gas services.

The business zone houses a supermarket, post office, clinic, bar, restaurants, hair salon, gym, amphitheater, ATM services, car rental, and tour services, fully meeting visitors’ needs.

Sports and recreation zones feature football, tennis, basketball, bowling, swimming pools, mini-golf, children’s playgrounds, and multipurpose halls. Surfing lessons and sports tournaments are also organized.

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the site attracts visitors year-round, with peak summer months drawing crowds from across Spain and neighboring countries. With its beautiful environment, top-notch facilities, and high-quality service, Park Playa Bara has become a flagship destination in Spain, winning multiple awards from the National Tourism Board, Catalonian government, camping clubs, and automobile associations.

3. Woodward Camp, USA

Woodward Camp originated in the 1970s in central Pennsylvania as a gymnastics camp. It quickly grew by meeting local demand for both sports and outdoor recreation, becoming a pioneer in summer sports camps and an icon of family outdoor entertainment.

After 50 years of development, Woodward is now a multifunctional, professionally managed sports and recreation center, offering top-tier facilities for youth and professional athletes.

Its philosophy is to help participants explore their passion for sports and unlock potential. The camp offers 365 creative activities, ranging from specialized sports to adventure, youth playgrounds, and family zones.

The Alpine Park starts with beginner-friendly zones and gradually extends into hilly terrain, providing challenges for different age groups.

The Extreme Sports Camp offers skiing, gymnastics, and other adrenaline activities, often inviting Olympic athletes and experts for special training. The Extreme Sports Park features facilities for skateboarding, mountain biking, BMX, motocross, and parkour, encouraging creativity and pushing physical limits.

4. Green Camp, Bali

Founded by John Hardy and his wife, Green Camp is an education-focused eco-camp built with bamboo in the jungles and rice fields of Bali.

Unlike many Western camps, Green Camp emphasizes environmental protection and sustainability, integrating tropical paradise scenery with experiential learning in local culture and ecology.

It provides programs for children, families, and school groups that challenge participants’ physical, intellectual, and emotional growth.

Family programs include workshops, mud wrestling, coconut contests and climbing, organic farming, Balinese cultural learning, bamboo rafting, and waste management education — offering immersive eco-community experiences.

Children’s programs feature activities like chocolate-making, natural dyeing, puppet shows, recycled art, and rainforest exploration.

Youth camps focus on outdoor adventure such as jungle trekking, surfing lessons, community projects, and Balinese cultural immersion, aiming to build confidence, environmental awareness, and creative thinking.

The camp also offers school group programs and English camps at the affiliated Green School.

5. Tent Camp in Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan

Located in Tengchong, Yunnan — home to volcano parks, hot springs, and historic towns — the Gaoligong Mountain Tent Camp is set along the biodiversity-rich Gaoligong range, known as a global ecological hotspot.

The camp is designed to minimize ecological impact, with raised walkways and platforms avoiding disruption to ground vegetation and natural light. Platforms are named after local plants, such as Arrow Bamboo Terrace and Magnolia Terrace, each offering unique views ideal for wildlife observation, dining, meetings, or nature education.

Guests can follow guides for forest walks, picnics, and botanical exploration, fostering deep reflection and peace through close encounters with nature.

6. VITAL Camp, Germany

VITAL Camp is located in Bavaria within a five-star spa resort, offering terraced panoramic views for every campsite.

It boasts a modern spa center with thermal pools, saunas, beauty treatments, and physiotherapy. The 32°C mineral-rich waters help strengthen the immune system, relax muscles, and rejuvenate visitors.

The site also features three scenic natural lakes serving as open-air bathing spots, along with tennis courts, cycling trails, and golf facilities.

All pitches have gravel and grass foundations with excellent drainage.

The camp provides a cozy lounge, buffet dining, coffee, pastries, ice cream, and live music. Guests can choose between tents, RVs, or rustic two-story cottages (approx. 50㎡) equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and bedrooms.

VITAL Camp also hosts themed events year-round: Halloween pumpkin-carving contests, country music parties, water festivals, summer music festivals, and beer festivals, making it a top venue for family reunions and corporate gatherings.

Even during downturns in the tourism industry, camping and RV travel remain popular and continue to attract large numbers of customers. This demonstrates that opportunities always exist — the key lies in having the vision to discover them and the courage to invest in them. Only by seizing these opportunities can success be achieved.