A convoy of 20 RV vehicles that set out from Germany on May 15 carrying more than 40 seniors arrived in Beijing after 70 days on the road.
The vehicles arrived at the Bailu toll station in Chaoyang district on Friday, when the travelers took the opportunity to enjoy a short break and spruce up the vehicles; some stuck signs on the vehicles and unfolded banners, while one elderly man drew a red line on the map on the rear of his vehicle to show the route they had taken.
"We traveled across Eurasia to know your country, your culture. I hope we can be your friends," said an elderly lady, handing out cards to curious onlookers.
After arriving in the city, they checked into the Hepingli Hotel, Dongcheng district. Since the scale of the fleet was large, traffic police officers were dispatched to help escort the convoy.
The hotel provided specific services to its special guests.
"We'll meet their demands for laundry; from the large amount of clothes and towels to big items like sleeping bags," said An, a manager of the hotel.
The vehicles recharged electricity and water at the hotel, too.
In Europe, vehicles such as these would stop and recharge supplies at specialized RV camps, but such camps are still rare in China.
Wang Xudong, a senior editor of www.21rv.com, told METRO that at present there is only one such camp in operation in Beijing.
"Eight more are under construction, since more people want to travel with recreational vehicles now," he said.
The convoy is staying in Beijing for four days, before heading to Xi'an. They plan to arrive in Istanbul, the end of the trip, in November.