Filial son builds 'RV' to travel around China

Chen Luxue drives his modified RV in Chengdu city, Sichuan province, on July 10, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

Chen Luxue shows people his modified RV in Chengdu city, Sichuan province, on July 10, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

Chen Luxue, a 60-year-old retired worker from Shuangliu county, Chengdu city, Sichuan province, built a simple RV (recreational vehicle) out of a car. His unique creation attracted the attention of a crowd on the street, Chengdu Business Daily reported Tuesday.

The RV has a space that looks like a big box on the trunk that contains a bed and first aid appliances. A big tent that can be folded while driving sits on top of the car. There is a ladder that can be used to climb into the tent on top of the car and can also be stored in the folded tent. Chen also changed the inside of the car and put bed and desks in it.

"My mother can live on the first floor of the car. First-aid appliances can be stored on the second floor – the back space on the trunk – where a medical worker can also live, while my wife and I can live on the third floor – the tent," Chen said. "The reason that I'm doing this is to take my 94 year-old mother on a trip around China."

Chen bought a second-hand car for 30,000 yuan in 2007 and spent another 20,000 yuan on appliances for his project, according to the newspaper.

"I started building this RV five years ago and I have been improving it bit-by-bit," Chen told the reporter. "I went through a lot of trouble building this, but it's worth it since my mother loves travelling. This is the least I could do for her."

Chen has driven his mother in this special RV to many places.

"We have been to Beijing, Chongqing and other places around. She's happy every time we drive into forests and near lakes."

Chen is planning to hire a volunteer doctor for his mother while they are on the road.

However, a Chengdu Traffic Administration Bureau official said Chen's modified RV violates rules and he will face a 500 yuan fine and be ordered to change his car back to how it looked originally, the newspaper reported.