Grandiose Camping Lets You Connect with Nature Like Never Before

Pitching camp on the beach, waiting for nightfall

"Some seek social interaction, some seek solitude, and some embrace nature. Camping can satisfy different social needs. It's more than just a recreational option, it's a whole new lifestyle." Recently, the "air" of the wild has been taking over young people's social media feeds, and "close contact" with nature has become a popular leisure trend.

Compared to traditional "wilderness survival" camping, the comfort of grandiose camping is clearly the key to its appeal to modern people. It not only allows people to temporarily escape reality and heal their emotions, but also allows them to connect more comfortably with nature. Nowadays, more and more young people pursuing "grandiose camping" are packing their bags and heading to the wilderness outside cities.

Grandiose Camping Allows You to "Talk" with Nature

Before setting out camp, carefully check your backpack for gear.

Why is grandiose camping so popular?

Unlike traditional camping, the trendy glamping that began to take off last year has become a popular travel destination over the past two years. A large number of glamping equipment brands, product suppliers, and service organizations have emerged, constantly replicating the new glamping experience for those seeking a taste of the new.

Outdoor camping is familiar to many, but the glamping trend that began last year has taken on a new dimension. The concept of glamping originated in Europe and the United States. The English word "Glamping" is a combination of the words "Glamorous" and "Camping." It translates into "glamour camping" and "style camping" in Chinese. From "camping" to "glamorous," the core concept is camping, but the emphasis is placed on the "glamour" element, removing the elements of adventure and outdoor rigor.

Glamorousness is directly reflected in its aesthetics. A beautiful white tent, vintage chandeliers, high-quality outdoor tables and chairs, a barbecue grill, a coffee machine, and beautiful vases and decorative accents create stunning photos. Nowadays, if you search for "fine camping" on social media platforms, you'll see scores of "model" camping experiences uploaded by bloggers, all of them photogenic and internet-famous. Furthermore, as people increasingly yearn for high-quality leisure, the appeal of fine camping lies in its comfort. Without having to worry about harsh conditions, both the infrastructure and amenities exude a refined feel. Some tents even come equipped with air conditioning, allowing for comfortable comfort even in hot weather.

2020 has been dubbed the "Year of Camping" by many industry insiders. According to iiMedia Research, the market size of China's camping sites grew from 7.71 billion yuan to 29.90 billion yuan between 2014 and 2021, and is projected to grow by 18.6% in 2022, reaching 35.46 billion yuan. iiMedia Research analysts believe that the camping site market is expected to continue to grow, driven by the overall growth of the tourism market and consumers' increasing demand for nature experiences. Data shows that the share of fine camping experiences in the overall camping market has been increasing over the past year, with the number of people experiencing it reaching 20% ​​of the total camping population.

Fine camping allows you to "dialogue" with nature.

A cup of hand-brewed coffee while camping is a true pleasure.

Who's into fine camping?

Post-90s and post-95s are the main consumer groups.

"Young people, families with children, and company team-building activities are the main demographics for fine camping," said Milu Travel, who goes by the online name "Uncle Labin." These three demographics are the main demographics of fine camping, and their most prominent demand is social connection. Post-90s and post-95s are the primary consumers of fine camping. They enjoy the experience not only for its close proximity to nature and its pleasurable physical and mental well-being, but also as a fresh way to socialize, showcasing the diverse lifestyles of young consumers.

A "2021 Generation Z Camping Social White Paper" released by Taobao and Soul reveals that young people who enjoy camping-style socializing exhibit distinctive characteristics, making it a key attraction. Camping allows them to connect with nature in a stress-free environment. Compared to the script-killing games popular among young people, camping offers greater freedom of communication, free from game mechanics. Any topic can spark lively conversation, whereas script-killing games and escape rooms require a focused focus on the game itself. This makes it easier to build high-quality social connections during camping trips. Furthermore, the report shows that among those born after 1995 who enjoy camping, 82% have selected at least one skill, including cooking, skateboarding, music playing, cycling, fishing, and more. This diverse skill set means these campers have more common topics, fostering deeper connections.

Fine camping allows you to "dialogue" with nature.

The dark night sky, with stars and the Milky Way shining brightly, is the most beautiful spectacle of a summer night.

Fine camping allows you to "dialogue" with nature.

At dawn, the sky is slightly blue, and the sun slowly rises over the mountains and coastline.

Camping has become a new trend in local travel.

Giving rise to new professions such as fine camping planners.

With local travel becoming the mainstream of travel, stylish camping has become a trendy new way to enjoy local experiences. Zhao Huanyan, Chief Knowledge Officer and Senior Economist of Huamei Consulting Group, stated that despite the impact on hotel business in 2020, campground services generated a profit of 10 million yuan, demonstrating the market's attention to this sub-sector following the pandemic. "This year, the growth of self-driving tours and local tourism has created an opportune time for the development of camping." Zhao Huanyan believes that the quality of camping depends on the level of experience, a manifestation of the "experience economy." The experience economy is a business model driven by customer needs and experience, reversing the relationship between service and product. He suggests that within the experience economy, the primary focus should be not on providing products but on providing a platform, integrating experiential elements into products and services, allowing the memory of the experience to be permanently ingrained in consumers' minds.

In addition, the huge market demand is driving rapid innovation in this industry, giving rise to new professions such as premium camping suppliers and premium camping planners. As early as 2013, "Uncle Labin," a keen outdoor camper, entered the camping industry. However, last year, sensing the impending rise of premium camping, he and his team launched premium camping services, including non-sleeping and overnight stays within the province. "There are many ways to expand on the benefits of fine camping, such as integrating outdoor activities like kayaking, skateboarding, rock climbing, hiking, and mountain climbing. We can also develop study-based programs for family trips. These are all possible, but the real challenge lies in innovation, such as integrating culture into the fine camping experience." He gave an example, such as introducing a Cantonese teahouse camping experience within a Lingnan-style scenic area. Steamers of Cantonese snacks could be placed on teahouse carts to provide a unique culinary experience for fine campers. Bookshelves could also be set up to create reading corners during camping. Activities, such as music parties and other activities popular with young people, are also crucial and can be incorporated into the experience.

Fine camping allows you to "dialogue" with nature

Boil a pot of water over a charcoal fire to make tea

Fine camping allows you to "dialogue" with nature

Children playing on the beach

How to create a refined camping atmosphere?

The sophistication of luxury camping stems from essential, high-quality equipment. These accessories can easily create a refined atmosphere, enhance the space, and effectively boost your photogenic rate.

Luxury Tents

In the past two years, a number of tents focused on luxury camping have been released, and the white tents have been the most photographed. Many of these tents incorporate high-tech features, such as technical cotton and organic cotton. They are not only attractive in appearance but also waterproof, offering warmth in winter and coolness in summer, making them suitable for all seasons. However, these high-tech and attractive tents are not cheap. A high-quality imported tent for three to four people typically costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yuan, with some basic models available for around 2,000 to 3,000 yuan.

Egg Roll Tables and Butterfly Chairs

Egg Roll Tables, as the name suggests, have a tabletop that rolls up like an egg roll and unfolds when in use. They are essential for camping because they are extremely portable. Simply take out the stand and the egg roll, unfold the stand, and place the egg roll top on top, and you're ready to assemble. The omelet table is complemented by a butterfly chair, which unfolds to resemble butterfly wings. It's both attractive and portable.

Stoves

Currently, stylish camping stoves are becoming increasingly attractive. Foldable, two-burner camping stoves fold down like a small suitcase. The "suitcase" itself is striking, featuring vibrant colors like red and yellow. Once folded, they can be stored in the trunk of a car and equipped with a grill, pots, and other utensils, allowing users to easily prepare a variety of dishes. On online shopping websites, a camping stove set costs around 600 to 700 yuan, with gas tanks purchased separately.

Folding Tripod Storage Rack

Many stylish online celebrity photos of camping tripods feature various pots and pans hanging from them. Typically, the tripod is unfolded, and utensils and pots are placed on the rack or casually hung from the tripod's hooks. While their practicality is a matter of opinion, they are attractive and can capture detailed, sophisticated camping photos. They cost around 200 to 300 yuan each. If you keep it at home, you can also put it on the balcony as a flower pot rack.