The hoot of an owl, a glimpse of the moon

I live next to the Wenyu River in the northern suburb of Beijing. Every weekend, tents and trolleys pop up like mushrooms on both sides of the river.

Along with the tourists intent on camping with their outdoor gadgets, traffic follows, and so do vendors selling snacks, beverages and fruits, and occasionally toys for kids such as kites, Frisbees and trumpets.

Despite the rebound in both domestic as well as overseas travel, camping and outdoor activities have grown as a lifestyle choice for city dwellers.

Meeting family and friends at a park or by the river is a healthy way to spend time during the weekends.

But there are also drawbacks to outdoor tourism.

The tents are often crowded and privacy is a challenge. After the camping party ends, the leftovers remain where they are.

My friend Viviana has posted a short-video on manners for glamping on her account at Xiaohongshu, a social media and lifestyle platform, with suggestions including: "Do not enter the neighbors' tents uninvited. No loud music played after 9 pm. Pick up the garbage while leaving."

We should do more to protect the environment.

Camping gear makers have invested in green products. For instance, stove makers have installed re-collection stations at camping sites, inviting camp visitors to recycle the gas cans for the stoves.

The outdoor tourism sector should also upgrade products and services for travelers who seek better experiences.

Lack of infrastructure for camping sites, such as hot water, toilets, and even garbage cans, has led to poor camping experiences for travelers. This will gradually put people off. Industry players should take greater efforts to do their best, from product functions, to designs and services, and offer an immersive experience for campers.

Camp-goers have quickly evolved from entry-level beginners to sophisticated experts. Sharing their outdoor trips and lifestyles on social media has made travelers look for differentiated and theme-based camping gear and clothing lines. Bushcraft camping is encouraging participants to be more independent and skillful in the wilderness. It can be fun and adventurous, often taking place in remote areas, which means less reliance on camping gear. People are also choosing solo camping for some quiet and peace in the woods.

I cannot complain about my last trip to a camping site in the south of Beijing, as it was well organized.

On the site, there were about 20 tents, each the size of a hotel room. Stepping inside, there were two beds, the carpet installed, air conditioner on, and with sprays to beat mosquitoes.

Once outside, there was a table with four chairs under a giant dome tent. Food was prepared for travelers to barbecue beef and pork. Each tent was equipped with an individual toilet. Several events, such as riding mountain Karting cars, finding hidden vegetables, raising bonfires and watching outdoor movies, filled our day.

The experience was effortless and fun.

I would like to visit the site again during another weekend, just to hear the distant hoot of an owl, glimpse the beautiful moon and smell the wafting smoke from a put-out bonfire.