7-Day China Business Delegation:
EV, Robotics & AI Innovation Tour
A professionally structured one-week delegation itinerary combining electric vehicle factory visits, humanoid robot production tours, autonomous driving experiences and AI company briefings across Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Itinerary at a Glance
China's innovation ecosystem is moving faster than any report or conference can capture. The only way to truly understand what is happening — in electric vehicles, in robotics, in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving — is to see it in person, on the factory floor, in the research centre, in the boardroom.
This 7-day business delegation itinerary is designed for senior executives, innovation leaders, investment teams and government trade missions who want firsthand insight into the world's most dynamic industrial transformation. The programme covers three cities — Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen — and visits some of the most significant companies in EV, humanoid robotics, AI voice technology, autonomous driving and drone manufacturing.
This is a sample itinerary. Every programme we design is customised to your delegation's sector, objectives and schedule. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Programme Overview: Three Cities, Three Dimensions of Innovation
Beijing
Days 1–2
China's political and AI capital. Home to Baidu autonomous driving, iFlytek voice AI, and the world's largest robot data training centre.
Shanghai
Day 3
China's global financial hub and smart manufacturing centre. Lights-out factories, EV supply chain and advanced industrial automation.
Shenzhen
Days 4–7
China's Silicon Valley. Home to BYD, DJI, humanoid robot manufacturers, and China's most concentrated technology innovation ecosystem.
Companies & Organisations Visited on This Programme
BYD
Electric Vehicle Manufacturer
Factory tour of BYD's Shenzhen production complex — the world's largest EV manufacturer. Production line, battery technology and design centre.
Humanoid Robotics Manufacturer
Humanoid Robot Production
Tour of China's leading humanoid robot production facility, including live assembly demonstration and executive briefing on commercial deployment.
Baidu Apollo
Autonomous Driving
Demonstration ride in Baidu's fully autonomous Robotaxi (no safety driver). Executive briefing on China's autonomous driving regulatory environment.
iFlytek
AI Voice & Language Technology
Visit to iFlytek's AI research centre. Live demonstration of real-time voice translation, AI education and healthcare applications.
Robot Data Training Centre
Robotics AI Infrastructure
Tour of the world's largest robot data collection and training facility — the critical infrastructure behind China's robotics AI revolution.
DJI
Drone Manufacturer
Visit to DJI Sky City headquarters in Shenzhen. Drone technology briefing, R&D facility tour and discussion of industrial and enterprise applications.
Lights-Out Smart Factory
Smart Manufacturing
Tour of a fully automated "dark factory" operating with zero human workers on the production floor. Industry 4.0 in real operation.
AI Research Company
Applied AI & Deep Learning
Executive briefing at a leading Chinese AI research and commercialisation company. Discussion of large language models and enterprise AI deployment in China.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Beijing — Arrival & Autonomous Driving
AI Capital · Autonomous Vehicles · Welcome Dinner
Arrival at Beijing Capital or Daxing International Airport
Meet and greet by your programme director. Private coach transfer to hotel. Check-in and freshen up.
LogisticsBaidu Apollo Autonomous Driving Experience
Experience China's most advanced autonomous vehicle technology with a demonstration ride in Baidu's fully driverless Robotaxi — no safety driver present. This is not a test — the vehicles operate commercially in Beijing today. Followed by an executive briefing at Baidu's Apollo Park covering autonomous driving regulations, commercial deployment progress and the road to full autonomy in China.
Company VisitWelcome Dinner — Beijing
Programme welcome dinner at a premium Beijing restaurant. Programme director briefing on the week ahead, introductions among delegates and initial discussion of objectives.
Networking DinnerBeijing — AI, Robotics Data & Voice Technology
iFlytek · World's Largest Robot Training Centre · AI Briefing
iFlytek AI Research Centre Visit
Full company visit to iFlytek — China's leading AI voice and language technology company. Live demonstrations include real-time simultaneous translation across 60+ languages, AI-powered medical diagnosis, intelligent education platforms and enterprise voice AI. Executive briefing on iFlytek's global expansion strategy and the competitive landscape for AI in China versus the West.
Company Visit Executive BriefingWorking Lunch — Programme Discussion
Delegate working lunch. Discussion of morning insights. Programme director facilitates structured debrief and Q&A.
World's Largest Robot Data Training Centre
Tour of the world's largest robotics data collection and AI training facility — the unseen infrastructure behind China's robotics revolution. This centre collects millions of hours of human motion data, environmental data and task execution data used to train the next generation of humanoid and industrial robots. Executive briefing on why data infrastructure is the key competitive advantage in the global robotics race.
Facility Tour Technical BriefingExpert Briefing: China's AI Policy & Innovation Ecosystem
Closed-room executive briefing with a China technology policy expert. Topics: DeepSeek and the Chinese LLM landscape, state support for AI infrastructure, data sovereignty, and the implications for global businesses and governments.
Expert BriefingDelegate Dinner — Beijing
Informal dinner for delegates. Evening free for networking or rest before departure to Shanghai.
Networking DinnerShanghai — Smart Manufacturing & EV Supply Chain
Lights-Out Factory · EV Supply Chain · Transit to Shenzhen
High-Speed Rail / Flight to Shanghai
Early departure from Beijing. Arrive Shanghai late morning. Transfer to first site.
TransferLights-Out Smart Factory Tour
Tour of a fully automated "dark factory" — a manufacturing facility operating with zero human workers on the production floor. Every operation is performed by robots, cobots and AI-guided automation systems. This is Industry 4.0 not as a concept, but in full commercial operation. Includes technical briefing on China's smart manufacturing investment trajectory and what it means for global production costs and competitiveness.
Factory Tour Technical BriefingEV Supply Chain Briefing & Site Visit
Visit to an EV battery or component manufacturer in Shanghai's automotive zone. Expert briefing on China's EV supply chain dominance — why China controls over 75% of global EV battery production and what this means for automotive industries worldwide.
Company VisitFlight Shanghai → Shenzhen
Evening flight to Shenzhen (approx. 2.5 hours). Hotel check-in. Overnight Shenzhen.
TransferShenzhen — BYD Electric Vehicle Factory
BYD Production Line · Battery Technology · Design Centre
BYD Headquarters & Factory Complex Visit
Full day at BYD — the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, which overtook Tesla in global EV sales in 2023. The visit includes the production assembly line (EVs, hybrid vehicles and commercial vehicles), BYD's Blade Battery production facility, the design and R&D centre, and an executive briefing on BYD's international expansion strategy and technology roadmap.
Full Day Company VisitLunch at BYD Executive Canteen
Hosted lunch at BYD. Continued discussion with BYD representatives on global strategy and technology partnerships.
BYD Test Drive & Vehicle Experience
Delegates have the opportunity to test drive BYD's latest EV models, including the Han and Yangwang series. Technical presentation on BYD's in-house developed DiPilot advanced driver assistance system.
Product ExperienceDelegate Dinner — Shenzhen
Group dinner in Shenzhen's Nanshan district. Debrief on the BYD visit. Introduction to Day 5 programme.
Networking DinnerShenzhen — Humanoid Robots & AI R&D
Humanoid Robot Production · AI Research Company · Executive Briefings
Humanoid Robot Manufacturing Facility
Tour of one of China's leading humanoid robot production facilities. See the full assembly process for China's commercially deployed humanoid robots — from component fabrication to motion testing and quality assurance. Live demonstration of humanoid robots performing industrial tasks. Executive briefing on the commercial timeline: when humanoid robots will reach cost parity with human workers and what sectors will be disrupted first.
Production Tour Technical BriefingLunch & Delegate Discussion
Working lunch. Structured delegate discussion: What are the investment and competitive implications of humanoid robotics for your industry?
AI Research Company — Applied AI Briefing
Visit to a leading Shenzhen-based AI research and commercialisation company. Executive briefing covering: China's large language model ecosystem post-DeepSeek, enterprise AI deployment in Chinese manufacturing and logistics, computer vision applications at scale, and the competitive gap (or advantage) between Chinese and Western AI in industrial applications.
Executive Briefing R&D TourShenzhen Innovation District Walking Tour
Guided walk through Shenzhen's Nanshan/Qianhai innovation district — the physical home of China's tech ecosystem. Context on how Shenzhen transformed from a fishing village to the world's innovation capital in 40 years, and what other cities and governments can learn from this model.
Guided TourShenzhen — DJI Drones & Innovation Ecosystem
DJI Headquarters · Drone Technology · Closing Dinner
DJI Sky City Headquarters Visit
Visit to DJI's globally celebrated headquarters — the company that controls over 70% of the world's consumer drone market and is rapidly expanding into industrial, agricultural and defence applications. The visit includes DJI's product showcase, an R&D facility tour, live drone demonstration flight, and an executive briefing on DJI's enterprise strategy — including logistics drones, agricultural spraying systems, infrastructure inspection and public safety applications.
Company Visit Executive BriefingLunch & Optional Morning Debrief Session
Delegate working lunch. Optional structured debrief: key insights from the week, sector-specific implications, questions for the final afternoon session.
CATL Battery Technology Centre (Optional) or Free Afternoon
Optional visit to CATL's Shenzhen battery technology exhibition and briefing — the company supplying batteries to Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen and the majority of the world's EV manufacturers. Alternatively, free afternoon for individual meetings, shopping or rest before the closing dinner.
Optional VisitDelegation Closing Dinner — Shenzhen
Formal closing dinner at a premium Shenzhen venue. Programme director presents key takeaways from the week. Delegates share sector insights. Discussion of next steps and ongoing engagement with China's innovation ecosystem.
Formal Closing DinnerShenzhen — Departure
Morning Optional Activity · Airport Transfer · Departure
Optional: Huawei Campus (Songshan Lake)
For delegates with later flights, an optional visit to Huawei's extraordinary Songshan Lake campus — a 1.5 km² research and development facility modelled on 12 European cities, housing 30,000 engineers. Subject to availability and confirmation. Alternatively, leisure time in Shenzhen or individual supplier meetings can be arranged.
Optional VisitAirport Transfer & Departures
Private coach transfer to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport or Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport depending on flight schedules. Programme director available for final debrief and post-programme support coordination.
DepartureProgramme Intelligence Report
Within 7 days of departure, all delegates receive a comprehensive Programme Intelligence Report summarising: company visit notes and key data points, executive briefing summaries, sector analysis and strategic implications, contact information for all host organisations, and recommended next steps for engagement with China's innovation ecosystem.
Post-Tour DeliverableProgramme Logistics
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Group Size | 8–25 delegates (larger groups on request) |
| Accommodation | 5-star business hotels in all three cities (Marriott, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton class). All rooms include business amenities, high-speed WiFi and English-language TV. |
| Transport | Private executive coaches for all ground transfers. High-speed rail or domestic flights for city-to-city movement. All arranged and included in programme fees. |
| Programme Director | One dedicated bilingual (English-Mandarin) programme director accompanies the delegation throughout all 7 days. Additional specialists join for technical visits. |
| Translation | Professional simultaneous or consecutive interpretation at all briefings and company visits. Written translation of key documents on request. |
| Meals | All lunches and dinners included as specified in the programme. Special dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice. |
| Visa Support | Official invitation letters provided for all delegates. Many nationalities now enjoy visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days (check our visa guide for your nationality). |
| Not Included | International flights to/from China, travel insurance (required), personal expenditure. |
Who This Programme Is Designed For
This 7-day itinerary is specifically designed for senior decision-makers and innovation leaders who need to understand China's industrial transformation at first hand. It is not a tourist trip — it is a structured professional intelligence-gathering programme.
- C-suite executives and board members from manufacturing, automotive, technology and healthcare sectors
- Government ministers, trade mission officials and economic development teams
- Investment teams and venture capital funds with China exposure or interest
- Corporate strategy and innovation teams from Fortune 500 companies
- MBA programmes and executive education cohorts
- Trade associations and industry bodies organising member delegations
- Think tanks and policy research organisations studying industrial policy
Sector-Specific Customisation
This itinerary can be adapted for specific sector focus. For example: an automotive industry delegation can spend additional time at BYD and CATL. A healthcare delegation can substitute some visits for medical AI and biotech companies in Beijing. A financial services delegation can include fintech and digital payments briefings. Contact us to discuss your delegation's specific objectives.
Why Delegates Choose China Study Tour (CST) Global
The access question
The most common question we receive is: can you actually get us into BYD, DJI, iFlytek and these robotics facilities? The answer is yes — because we have spent 20 years building these relationships. Our access is not based on cold email requests. It is based on a decade of bringing serious, senior delegations to these companies who have consistently treated their hosts with professionalism and genuine curiosity. These relationships are our most valuable asset — and your greatest benefit.
- 20+ years organising executive delegations to China from 30+ countries
- Established relationships with BYD, DJI, iFlytek and leading robotics companies — not cold contact requests
- Programme directors are China business specialists, not general tour guides
- Post-programme intelligence reports valued by corporate boards and government bodies
- Full programme management from visa support to departure — nothing left to the client to arrange
- References available from previous delegations including European trade missions and Fortune 500 companies
Programme Variations
The 7-day programme above is a sample. We design programmes ranging from 3 to 14 days depending on your delegation's depth of focus and available time. Common variations include:
| Duration | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 days | Single city deep-dive (Shenzhen or Beijing) | Delegations with limited time; focused sector visits |
| 5 days | Two-city programme (Beijing + Shenzhen) | Balanced AI/robotics focus with EV factory visits |
| 7 days | Three-city full programme (this itinerary) | Comprehensive innovation overview across sectors |
| 10–14 days | Extended programme with additional cities | Government trade missions; deep sector immersion programmes |
Design Your Custom Business Delegation
Tell us your delegation's sector, objectives and available dates. We will prepare a tailored programme proposal with company visit options, logistics and pricing within 48 hours — at no cost.
Request a Custom Proposal →