For years, the tech world looked to Silicon Valley as the epicenter of innovation. Now, a new destination is drawing attention: China. Investors, engineers, and entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing to fly to cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Shenzhen. The shift is driven by a growing interest in China’s tech scene, where advancements in electric vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence are reshaping perceptions.
These trips are not just casual visits. They are curated experiences costing up to $9,000, offering participants a deep dive into the heart of China’s technological rise. Tours often include visits to factories, startup incubators, and industry conferences. Some even allow private question-and-answer sessions with company executives. The goal is to see the innovation firsthand, not just read about it.
Visitors are taken to companies that have become symbols of China’s progress. BYD, the electric vehicle manufacturer that overtook Tesla in global sales, is a common stop. Unitree Robotics, known for its viral humanoid robots, and DeepSeek, the AI startup compared to ChatGPT, also feature prominently. These are not just companies—they are signals of a broader technological shift.
Chetan Shah, an investor from Mumbai, said the tours give access to information that’s hard to find elsewhere. “I can go as a tourist to visit BYD, but I will not be allowed to go beyond the showroom,” he said. The experience, he added, helped him make better investment decisions, leading him to exit several ventures that later declined sharply in value.
Boyang Shen, who now runs a Shanghai-based tour agency called GloPen, saw the potential for tech-focused tourism early on. He transitioned from business consulting to organizing custom tours for clients interested in EVs and livestreaming commerce. Since launching, GloPen has hosted more than 1,000 visitors in 18 months.
Related: How to Use Adobe Lightroom, Much Like Celebrity Editing
The tours are attracting a diverse group of people. Most of GloPen’s clients come from Southeast Asia, India, and Europe, with smaller but growing interest from the U.S. and Brazil. Some companies are even targeting younger audiences. Tech Buzz China, for instance, is planning a tour for high school students with science and math backgrounds.
In Shenzhen, the tech hub near Hong Kong, a top-rated activity includes a robotaxi ride, a drone food delivery demo, and visits to stores selling AI-enabled toys. XPeng, an electric vehicle startup, has even started selling tickets to its showroom, often selling out quickly.
Related: Guide to choosing the right metal for my engagement ring?
China’s government has taken notice. Officials are using high-profile visits by foreign leaders to showcase the country’s tech capabilities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was seen watching humanoid robots perform kung fu moves in Hangzhou. Videos of such visits go viral, reinforcing the image of a tech-savvy China.
The cycle of curiosity and exposure is accelerating. Someone sees a video of a flying car or a robot on social media. That sparks interest. Interest leads to a tour. The tour creates firsthand experience. That experience is shared online, reaching new audiences. Each loop strengthens the perception that China is a rising tech power.