Camping on a China Road Trip: A Foreigner Guide (2026)
Visitors from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Europe ask us all the time: is camping easy in China? Are there proper campgrounds? Can I wild camp? Will the Tank 300 fit a tent? This guide covers what I have learned taking guests camping in Yunnan, Sichuan and Xinjiang — where to camp, what gear to buy locally, altitude safety, and what not to do.
Camping in China is not what you think
Unlike the US or New Zealand where you can pull over and pitch anywhere, China has rules: no camping in core nature reserves, no wild camping near border areas, no open fires in forest zones, and forest police may ask you to move.
That said, there are four options: 1) official scenic-area campgrounds with toilets, water, power (80-200 RMB/night) at Nalati, Bayanbulak, Shangri-La; 2) glamping resorts near big cities (300-800 RMB); 3) RV parks (we do not rent RVs); 4) asking a herder's permission to pitch in their yard for 50-100 RMB — safe, social, and you get butter tea.
Where to camp
Yunnan: Xiaozhongdian outside Shangri-La (alpine meadow, red flowers in autumn), Feilaisi opposite Meili Snow Mountain (wake up to sunrise on the peak), Napa Lake shore. Shangri-La is 3300m — do not camp the first night you arrive.
Xinjiang: Nalati Sky Grassland official campground, Bayanbulak near the nine-bend viewpoint, Sayram Lake shore (stargazing). Summer nights can drop to 10°C — bring a warm sleeping bag.
Sichuan: outside Daocheng Yading town, Maoya grassland near Litang. Both above 4000m — do not camp at that altitude, sleep in town.
Qinghai: Qinghai Lake shore official campgrounds (rapeseed fields in summer), Chaka Salt Lake.
Can the Tank 300 camp?
Fold the rear seats down and you have about 2 meters of flat space — two people can sleep in the car. But we still bring a tent: car-sleeping gets stuffy, and you want to sit outside under the stars.
Gear: do not fly it in. Pick up in Lijiang or Urumqi at Decathlon: 3-person tent 200-400 RMB, 0°C sleeping bag 100-200 RMB, sleeping mat 50-100 RMB, headlamp, folding chair, gas stove. Total 800-1200 RMB. Take it home or sell it back to us at the end.
High altitude camping safety
1. Do not camp on the first day above 3000m — acclimatize in town for two days first.
2. Do not camp above 4000m even if you are experienced — sleep in Litang or Daocheng town.
3. No shower, no alcohol on the first camping night — a cold at altitude can turn into pulmonary edema.
4. We carry oxygen bottles in every car — use it if you get a headache.
Is it safe?
I have never had a wild animal incident on the main tourist routes you will be on — you will be near other campers and herders. The real risks are: flash floods in dry riverbeds (never camp in one, even on a sunny day), litter (pack it out), open fires (use a gas stove, not a wood fire), and no mobile signal (download offline maps).
One morning at Shangri-La, forest police knocked on my tent at 7 a.m. — this spot was not allowed. We packed up politely, drove to an official campground, no fine. If police or rangers ask you to move, cooperate — do not argue, do not film. Find another legal spot.
What it costs
Two people, one week Yunnan loop: gear 800-1200 RMB (yours to keep), campground 80 x 6 = 480, food 50-100/person/day, fuel about 900 RMB for 1200 km. Per person per day is about half the cost of a hotel in peak season.
What we do not recommend
Solo wild camping in no-man's land — if the car breaks down nobody knows. Hardcore off-road expeditions — tell us in advance, we arrange a guide. Renting an EV to camp — many campgrounds have no power, you will not find a charger at 4000m.
What we provide
Tank 300 rental includes sleeping bags, mats, oxygen bottles in the car. We recommend campgrounds along your route and remote WeChat support 24/7. WeChat qxzj7557 (WhatsApp +86 13759155671), email [email protected]. Peak season campgrounds book up fast — book the car early and we reserve a spot.