A 15-Day Immersive Study Tour Across Eastern China
Discovering the Future of China
Where ancient whispers meet tomorrow’s lightjourney through China’s soul, and ignite your own.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Discover the vibrant heartbeat of China through four iconic cities — Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing — each offering a unique window into the nation’s rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge innovation. This transformative journey is designed to immerse the next generation of global explorers in China’s timeless wisdom and dynamic future, blending deep cultural experiences with firsthand insights into technological leadership.
Through expert-led workshops, exclusive company visits, historical explorations, and hands-on cultural activities, this tour invites you to not just see China, but to feel it — its philosophy, its resilience, and its soaring creativity. From ancient traditions to smart cities and AI labs, embark on a path that connects past, present, and future in a way that shapes your worldview and empowers your identity.
Four Cities, Four Stories
SHANGHAI
SHANGHAI
SHANGHAI
The Gateway of Modern China
Explore the architectural marvels and historic waterfronts that tell Shanghai’s story as the “Far East’s Gateway” and financial powerhouse. From colonial-era Bund walkways to futuristic skyscrapers, you’ll witness how history and innovation coexist, and dive into China’s global fintech revolution through exclusive access to Alibaba and Ant Group.
HANGZHOU
SHANGHAI
SHANGHAI
Where Nature Meets Innovation
Step into a landscape of poetic beauty with West Lake’s serene waters and tea plantations, then transition to the high-tech pulse of robotics hubs and AI innovation zones. Hangzhou epitomizes the blend of natural grace and technological advancement — from ancient tea culture workshops to robot demonstrations, it’s a city where tradition inspires the future.
SHENZHEN
SHENZHEN
SHENZHEN
China’s Silicon Valley
Walk the cutting edge of drone technology, AI robotics, and electric vehicles in China’s fastest-growing innovation hub. Visit industry leaders like DJI and BYD to uncover how Shenzhen turned from fishing village to global tech capital in decades — a vivid example of Chinese ingenuity shaping the world.
BEIJING
SHENZHEN
SHENZHEN
Cultural Heartbeat and Technological Vanguard
Experience the profound heritage of imperial China at the Forbidden City and Great Wall, paired with visits to tech giants like TikTok’s parent company ByteDance and Xiaomi. Beijing invites you to reflect on China’s millennia of culture while exploring its leading role in AI, global digital trends, and sustainable innovation.
SHANGHAI
DAY 1 - Easy Landing & Connecting
- Welcome Dinner & Orientation – Gather for our first shared meal, where we’ll introduce the journey ahead, share important notes, and set the tone for the experience.
- Interactive Icebreaker – Fun, light activities to help everyone connect and start building friendships.
- Evening Stroll along The Bund – Take in Shanghai’s iconic skyline under the city lights.
- Intro to Mandarin – A relaxed 1-hour crash course covering essential phrases for travel and cultural etiquette.
DAY 2 - Shanghai’s Global Gateway & Fintech Future
Morning
- Walking Tour: The Bund & Suzhou Creek – Led by a professional guide or historian, explore the iconic “Museum of International Architecture” along the Huangpu River, starting at the historic Peace Hotel.
- Key Themes:
- How did Shanghai become the “Gateway to the Far East” and a global trade hub?
- Why did foreign powers establish banks and consulates along The Bund?
- How do architectural styles reflect colonial history and global finance culture?
Afternoon
- Workshop Visit: Ant Group Headquarters – Learn how Alipay has built a “Digital Financial Ecosystem” that reaches Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and beyond through platforms like KakaoPay and bKash.
- Discussion Focus:
- China’s role in advancing inclusive finance (“普惠金融”) and global fintech innovation.
- The challenges and models of “Fintech Going Global,” including navigating diverse regulatory environments.
Day 3 - Old Shanghai Charm & Modern Skyline
Morning (Brunch)
- Former French Concession Walk – Wukang Road & Hengshan Road, or cycling option. Discover colonial villas, art deco heritage, and the city’s cosmopolitan past.
Midday
- Xintiandi & Zhangyuan – Lunch in Xintiandi, explore Shikumen architecture and urban renewal at Zhangyuan, blending history with modern life.
Afternoon
- Urban Planning Exhibition Hall – See Shanghai’s past, present, and future city vision.
- Pudong Skyline & Shanghai Tower – Ferry to Lujiazui, ascend the Shanghai Tower for panoramic views and interactive art-tech experiences at Sky Light 632.
Workshop
- Lecture: Shanghai’s role in modern China and Pudong’s 30-year rise from farmland to financial hub.
Day 4 - Innovation on Wheels
Morning & Afternoon
- Visit NIO Shanghai Base – Explore smart EV innovation, battery-swap technology, and the brand’s unique user community.
- Workshop: Discuss NIO’s service model and international expansion, including its 50+ battery-swap stations in Norway, Germany, and beyond.
Evening
- High-speed Train to Hangzhou
Hangzhou
DAY 5 - Global Tech Powerhouse
Morning
- Alibaba Headquarters Tour – Explore three tour routes covering four key innovation sectors.
- Learn how Alibaba connects over 1.5 billion overseas buyers through platforms like AliExpress, serving 220+ countries, and its global investment strategy.
Afternoon
- Lunch with Tech Entrepreneurs – Engage in candid discussions about cross-border e-commerce, global consumer trends, and China’s role in shaping the future of digital trade.
DAY 6 - Innovation & Tradition
Morning – Future of Robotics & AI
- Xiaoshan Robot Town – Explore a 6,000㎡ exhibition hall with interactive robotics displays, industry showcases, and hands-on experiences.
- Alternative: Turing Town – A hub for AI, big data, and cloud computing, home to leaders like SenseTime, NetEase Cloud Music, and over 1,000 digital economy experts. Includes visits to Zhejiang University AI Research Institute, AR/VR Experience Center, and 5G Innovation Valley.
Afternoon – Chinese Tea Culture Immersion
- Maojiabu & China National Tea Museum – Stroll through tranquil tea gardens along West Lake’s quiet western shore.
- Guided “Five Senses” tea experience — see the leaves, smell the fragrance, touch the tools, taste the brew, and listen to the stories.
- Witness tea-picking and processing in Longwu Tea Plantation.
- Workshop: Song Dynasty tea ceremony, comparing Chinese origins with Japanese traditions and international influence.
Day 7 - Mind & Machine
Morning – Tai Chi by West Lake
- Sunrise Tai Chi lesson on the lawn at the foot of Solitary Hill or Bai Causeway, framed by the Broken Bridge and Baochu Pagoda.
- Mist over the lake creates a scene like a traditional Chinese ink painting — a perfect setting to experience balance, breath, and flow.
Afternoon – Tech Company Visit (choose one)
- Unitree Robotics – World leader in quadruped robot R&D, creator of the H1 robot featured on China’s Spring Festival Gala. Includes live demos of running, obstacle avoidance, and load carrying.
- Interactive challenge: Students code and adjust robot movement paths or task logic.
- Interactive challenge: Students code and adjust robot movement paths or task logic.
- DeepSeek – AI powerhouse specializing in large language models and multimodal interaction, with globally competitive applications in NLP and beyond.
Shenzhen
DAY 8 - Innovation by the Sea
Morning – Coastal Walk at Yantian Cloud Sea Park, Shenzhen
- Enjoy a light, scenic hike along the coastline, taking in the fresh sea breeze and panoramic views.
Afternoon – Visit to DJI Headquarters Experience Center
- Explore DJI, the global leader in drone technology.
- Workshop discussion: Innovation in drone tech and global market expansion — understand how DJI commands around 70% of the consumer drone market worldwide.
- DJI campus tour and hands-on drone course.
Evening – Networking Dinner
- Social gathering with entrepreneurs from the Greater Bay Area, offering a chance for informal交流 and exchange of ideas.
DAY 9 - Powering the Future – EV Innovation
Morning – Visit BYD Global Headquarters & Factory
- Tour BYD’s R&D and production facilities to see end-to-end EV and battery innovation in action.
- Discussion Focus: BYD’s evolution from battery maker to global EV leader, manufacturing scale, vertical integration, and strategies for overseas expansion.
Afternoon – Deep Dive Workshop
- Practical session on battery chemistry, supply-chain resilience, and the business models that underpin mass EV adoption.
- Comparative look: different EV strategies (e.g., BYD’s integrated model vs. other makers’ service- and community-led approaches).
Evening – Flight to Beijing
- Group transfer to the airport and evening flight to Beijing.
Beijing
DAY 10 - Imperial Heritage & Living Traditions
Morning – The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- More than sightseeing: immersive exploration through sensory experience, historical insights, and hands-on activities to truly “step into” the Forbidden City’s world.
Midday – Jingshan Park
- Climb the small hill in the adjacent imperial garden for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City’s sprawling palace complex — a rare perspective not visible from inside.
Evening – Traditional Beijing Home-Style Dinner
- Dine at a local favorite serving authentic, down-to-earth Beijing dishes inspired by grandma’s cooking.
Workshop Highlight – Chinese Architectural Philosophy
- Explore traditional construction techniques such as mortise-and-tenon joinery.
- Learn about garden and urban design principles inspired by cultural concepts like the Bagua, Taiji, and Feng Shui.
- Decode architectural decorations and symbolism: dragons, phoenixes, and mythical creatures like Pixiu.
DAY 11 - Innovation & Tech Leadership in Beijing
Morning – Historical Walk
- Guided walking tour of iconic sites including Tiananmen Square and other key historical landmarks, connecting China’s rich past with its dynamic present.
Midday – Visit to ByteDance Headquarters
- Explore how ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) uses AI algorithms and short-form video to achieve global success.
- Discuss their globalization strategy and evolving content ecosystem.
Afternoon – Workshop and Visit at Xiaomi Group Headquarters
- Learn about Xiaomi’s rapid global growth, now operating in over 100 countries and ranking among the top smartphone brands in India and Europe.
- Insights on global market expansion and localization strategies.
- Optional visit to the Xiaomi Innovation Center or automotive factory for hands-on experience.
DAY 12 - Exploring China’s Trendsetting Toy Industry
Visit to POP MART Headquarters and Trendy Toy Experience Store
- Discover how POP MART leads the global "blind box" craze and builds popular IPs.
- Learn about their global market reach across China, the U.S., UK, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
Workshop: The Economics of the Blind Box Era
- POP MART’s growth story and strategies for creating hit IPs.
- Innovation in diversifying product lines and extending IP lifespan.
- Building an O2O (online-to-offline) ecosystem for trend-driven collectibles.
DAY 13 - Great Wall Adventure
Visit to POP MART Headquarters and Trendy Toy Experience Store
- Discover how POP MART leads the global "blind box" craze and builds popular IPs.
- Learn about their global market reach across China, the U.S., UK, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
Workshop: The Economics of the Blind Box Era
- POP MART’s growth story and strategies for creating hit IPs.
- Innovation in diversifying product lines and extending IP lifespan.
- Building an O2O (online-to-offline) ecosystem for trend-driven collectibles.
DAY 14 - Visit to Tsinghua University College of Artificial Intelligence
- Visit the newly established College of Artificial Intelligence at Tsinghua University (founded April 2024), led by Turing Award laureate and Academician Yao Qizhi.
- Explore cutting-edge AI research focusing on foundational breakthroughs, core architectures, and future computing paradigms.
- Tour key facilities including the autonomous driving lab (in collaboration with Baidu Apollo) and AI algorithm research centers.
- Observe live demonstrations of autonomous vehicle technology and AI model training.
Wrap-up: Reflect on the transformative journey before flying back home.