Escape the City: How Much Do You Know About Camping?

Say goodbye to the city and head for the green!

With June just around the corner, people's yearning for outdoor adventures is growing stronger, and the beauty of summer reaches its climax amidst the verdant mountains and rivers!

When the mountain flowers bloom in the height of summer, people yearn for and are increasingly enthusiastic about immersive outdoor activities that "use stillness to control movement." Among these, camping has become incredibly popular!

From urban luxury camping to luxury camping, self-drive camping, RV camping, and hiking camping... camping options are becoming increasingly popular.

How did camping, so popular, originate?

What is "camping"?

What is camping culture?

The Birth of Camping

Camping, as defined by the Baidu Encyclopedia, is a short-term outdoor lifestyle, a temporary outdoor settlement specifically designed for engineering, military, surveying, and tourism purposes. It includes simple, short-term outdoor accommodations such as tents, huts, and garages.

When it comes to the origins of camping culture, the most classic places are undoubtedly the United States and Japan, and modern camping trends are largely influenced by these two countries.

01

Americans Love Outdoor Exploration

Americans, naturally passionate about outdoor exploration, initially fashioned tepees from animal skins and wooden poles to survive in the wilderness, thus launching the development of American camping culture.

In 1830, Woolrich, the first American outdoor brand, was founded. It primarily served as a survival or military foundation, and from 1861 to 1865, it supplied blankets to the Union Army, establishing the early prototype of American outdoor tents.

In 1855, a Confederate officer named Henry Hopkins Sibley designed a bell-shaped tent based on the Native American tepee. The tent featured a centrally placed pole and a canvas cover, making it more refined and spacious.

In 1869, American pastor William published the bestsellers "Wild Adventures" and "Camping in the Adidas Mountains," two books that became world-renowned guides to camping.

In 1905, founder W.C. Coleman developed a new gas lamp, which made camping safer and more enjoyable for campers.

In 1906, British camping enthusiast T.H. Holding completed "The Camper's Guide." Its publication sparked a global interest in camping, and camping culture gradually became a household name.

In 1945, with the post-World War II economic boom in the United States, people began to enjoy more leisure time and more people began to enjoy the outdoors, making tents a best-seller.

In 1959, Eureka, a professional American tent manufacturer, launched the Draw-Tite tent, the world's first quick-to-set freestanding tent.

Today, camping in the United States has expanded from single-site camping to family camping and road trips, and the healthy and active lifestyle of camping has become part of American families' daily lives.

02

Japan's Outdoor Culture Adapts to Local Conditions

As an island nation, the Japanese seem to have an innate reverence for nature.

Frequently affected by earthquakes, training in outdoor escape techniques has become a crucial survival skill for the Japanese. This has also led to the concept of integrating nature with daily urban life, which has become the foundation of Japan's camping culture.

The number of public campsites in Japan has gradually increased since the 1960s and has reached its peak today. The number of private campsites has exceeded 400 since the 1990s.

To cultivate a youthful appreciation for the outdoors and nature, Japan has also established outdoor equipment training schools.

The recent surge in popularity in Japan of "refined camping culture" likely stems from the GO OUT CAMP JAMBOREE camping event, held in 2008 by the renowned Japanese outdoor magazine GO OUT, which has been around for over a decade.

This event brought together camping enthusiasts from around the world and was a key factor in the development of refined camping. Many outdoor brands are proud to be featured in GO OUT magazine.

03

Chinese Outdoor Culture from Ancient to Present

Many people believe that camping only arrived in China in recent years. However, on the contrary, China has a long history of outdoor exploration.

According to ancient records, as early as 8000 BC, nomadic peoples in North Africa learned to tie several branches together at the top and insert the lower ends diagonally into the soil to form a hollow, conical space. They then covered the branches and surrounding areas with animal skins to create a shelter from wind and rain. They carried the wood and skins with them, ready to set up and dismantle at will.

This was the prototype of the tent and the basic form of human use.

In 202 BC, Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty wrote in "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Gaozu": "As for planning strategies within the tent and winning battles thousands of miles away, I am not as good as Zifang." The "tent" here refers to the tents used by ancient armies.

In 1189 AD, Genghis Khan was on the march, setting up camps and tents had become a necessity for the army. There were even specialized technicians who continuously optimized and improved tents for greater convenience.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, hunting in enclosures became a popular form of "camping" for the royal family. Emperor Kangxi even dedicated over 10,000 square kilometers of hunting grounds in Chengde, where he took his princes and ministers on camping and hunting trips. This was the famous autumn hunting event for the royal nobility, the "Mulan Autumn Hunt."

When it comes to "refined camping," from equipment and supplies to outdoor survival techniques, the ancient Chinese were no less sophisticated.

They even prepared specialized boxes for different types of food. For preserved fruits and nuts, they had compartmentalized boxes, while for items requiring insulation, they used holding boxes.

Su Shi, in his poem "Ding Feng Bo," wrote, "A bamboo stick and straw sandals are lighter than a horse. Who fears? A raincoat, rain and mist, bears the brunt of life." The "bamboo stick" and "raincoat" are likely equivalent to today's hiking poles and jackets.

In his "Eight Notes on Living in Accordance with Life," Gao Lian of the Ming Dynasty listed items for overnight stays during mountain trips, including a "folding bed." This bed consists of a bed frame, bed rails, and a drawer. To transport, simply lift the crossbars and fold the two side rails toward the center.

In the 20th century, thanks to the film "See You Tomorrow," starring Ge You, people were particularly impressed by the RVs that traveled extensively, and RV camping gradually gained popularity.

Nowadays, we often see RVs parked at scenic outdoor areas.

One person who has recently made camping popular in cities is the renowned musician Zhang Zhenyue, known as the "Old Northerner of the Mountains and Forests."

His series of solo camp vlogs posted on social media have been enthusiastically received. Watching Zhang Zhenyue wander through the mountains and forests, setting up camp, building fires, playing the piano, and singing, brings peace of mind and body, a deeply healing experience.

Zhang Zhenyue said, "Living in this era, everyone's body and mind are constantly consuming energy, but rarely giving the soul time to absorb nourishment. Camping can help us relax, connect with nature, and recharge before returning to daily life."

Summer is approaching, so it's time to plan your outdoor camping adventures!

Starry skies, forests, green fields, vibrant flowers, rock faces, waterfalls, mist, fresh earth, free-flowing animals... The healing and energy of nature can only be felt by stepping into its midst.