Published on: 2026-10-31
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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More and more foreign tourists come to China not only for the Great Wall, pandas, and the Terracotta Army, but also to participate in “technology tours of China”: in Shenzhen they watch drone shows, in Shanghai they try riding in autonomous cars, and in Hangzhou they visit cafes with robot baristas. Chinese high-tech companies widely open their doors, turning laboratories into interactive exhibition halls and production lines into sightseeing routes. Tech venues that combine “serious science” and “interesting leisure” are becoming new tourist destinations.
Why do foreign visitors come? Robert Wu (Wu Mianqing), CEO of BigOne Lab, noted: “People see China as a subject for study and research,” while Reuters agency points out that a few years ago such a trend was virtually nonexistent. British tourist Lillian, who took technology tours in Shenzhen and Hangzhou, admiringly admitted: “They live in the future here.” The cost of such programs ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of US dollars. Wang Zichen, Deputy Secretary General of the Center for China and Globalization, noted that the tours are organized around thematic directions, for example, biomedicine and robotics. According to him, “It is not enough just to read scientific articles—you need to see everything with your own eyes.” Foreign media note that more and more specialists come to Chinese science and technology cities to conduct on-site research, viewing these locations “as an alternative to Silicon Valley,” which may influence their investment decisions.
What did foreign guests see? American tourist Johnson compared Shenzhen to the “Eastern Silicon Valley”: drone delivery and driverless taxis have already become part of everyday life here. French entrepreneur Lucas was amazed at how quickly ideas are brought to life in the Huaqiangbei area — in just 48 hours. Behind this is a full-fledged and mature industrial ecosystem. Phancy regularly hosts business delegations from different countries. The company’s chief strategy officer Maryann Tseng emphasizes that the value of such visits lies in building mutual understanding and turning “dialogue” into real “cooperation.”
What explains the sustained duration of this boom? In the first half of the current year, the number of foreigners entering China under the visa-free regime reached 17.8 million people, which accounts for 77.7% of the total number of foreign entrants. China has introduced a unilateral visa-free regime for citizens of 50 countries, and citizens of 55 countries enjoy a 240-hour visa-free transit. The company Ctrip integrates disparate technological scenarios into a single chain: in the first quarter of this year, the volume of inbound tourism bookings increased by about 90% compared to the same period last year, and at the end of December in Shenzhen, the “Carnival of Technological Splendor of China” will start. The contents of foreign tourists’ “suitcases” are also changing: media delegations hosted by the company Insta360 placed orders on the spot, and the Consul General of Kuwait proposed that the company open a branch in the Middle East. The head of Insta360’s Chinese division, Yuan Yue, noted that the processes of “arriving in China” and “entering the external market” are happening simultaneously, allowing the world to truly see and use Chinese technologies.
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