Step inside the engine room of the world’s second-largest economy.

This 8-day business expedition across China’s digital hubs connects you directly with the people, companies, and institutions shaping the future of global commerce.

From Beijing’s e-commerce titans and Shanghai’s FDI gateways to Hangzhou’s innovation ecosystems and Shenzhen’s manufacturing frontier, this journey offers exclusive access, curated meetings, and deep local insight.

You’ll visit the headquarters of JD.com, ByteDance/Douyin, Alibaba, and Tencent, attend official government briefings on investment and company registration, and participate in factory visits and B2B matchmaking with vetted suppliers.

Small group, senior-level participants only — all logistics, interpreters, and on-the-ground coordination included.

China Digital Economy: Networking Expedition 

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Route Overview

  • Day 0 — Virtual Pre-Departure Briefing

    Before traveling, all delegates join a 90-minute online orientation led by our China market experts.

    Agenda:

    • China 2025: Key trends in e-commerce, tech, and regulation.

    • Visa, health, and arrival checklist.

    • Chinese business etiquette & meeting protocol.

    • Overview of visiting companies & participant introductions.

    • Each participant receives a 1-page profile pack with business background and visit objectives.

    Day 1 — Arrival in Beijing: The Tech Capital

    • Airport pickup in private vehicles; check-in at a 4★ central business hotel.

    • Afternoon orientation: “The State of China’s Digital Economy” — current data, platforms, and consumer trends.

    • Evening Welcome Dinner: local Beijing cuisine + guest talk by a Beijing-based venture capitalist or startup founder.

    • Optional: short night city walk around Houhai lakes or Sanlitun.

    Overnight: Beijing

    Day 2 — Beijing: JD.com & ByteDance/Douyin

    • Morning: Corporate visit to JD.com Headquarters, one of China’s largest e-commerce giants.

      • Guided tour of smart warehousing & logistics innovation.

      • Briefing: How JD integrates AI, fintech & same-day delivery.

    • Lunch: networking with a local e-commerce agency (topics: livestreaming, influencer marketing, and Chinese consumer behavior).

    • Afternoon: visit ByteDance / Douyin HQ — product demo, Douyin Shop walkthrough, and discussion on social commerce integration for foreign brands.

    • Evening: optional cultural walk through Beijing hutongs or networking drinks with local tech professionals.

    Overnight: Beijing

    Day 3 — Beijing → Shanghai (High-Speed Rail)

    • Morning: Visit Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) — session on content-driven commerce and brand entry into Chinese lifestyle markets.

    • Afternoon: Board China’s G-class high-speed train to Shanghai (4.5 hours).

    • Evening: seminar — “How to Register a Company in China”: structures, tax, FDI options.

      • Hosted by a corporate law partner and a regional development officer.

    Overnight: Shanghai

    Day 4 — Shanghai: Government Briefing & Market Entry Workshop

    • Morning: Official meeting at the Shanghai Municipal Hongqiao Government.

      • Topics: foreign investment incentives, free trade zones, regional industrial clusters.

      • Q&A with government representatives and foreign business owners.

    • Afternoon: private legal & accounting workshop with a top-tier local firm.

      • Full walkthrough: opening a WFOE, registering trademarks, HR compliance, and cross-border tax strategy (incl. Hong Kong structures).

    • Evening: optional networking dinner with European Chamber members or China-based expats.

    Overnight: Shanghai

    Day 5 — Hangzhou: Alibaba Campus & E-Commerce Innovation

    • Morning: High-speed train to Hangzhou (1 hour).

      • Guided corporate visit to Alibaba’s Xixi or Binjiang campus.

      • Presentations: Taobao/Tmall ecosystem, logistics infrastructure, and new retail strategy.

    • Afternoon: visit to a local factory or OEM supplier near Hangzhou (light manufacturing or branded consumer goods).

      • Includes a sourcing and quality control Q&A session.

    • Evening: return to Shanghai.

    Overnight: Shanghai

    Day 6 — Shanghai → Shenzhen: From E-Commerce to Hardware

    • Morning: Flight to Shenzhen (China’s Silicon Delta).

    • Afternoon: visit Tencent HQ (Binhai Tower) — deep dive into the WeChat ecosystem, mini-programs, and payment solutions.

    • Late afternoon: factory visits in Bao’an or Longgang districts — electronics, packaging, or hardware manufacturing.

    • Evening: networking dinner with Shenzhen-based entrepreneurs and innovators in Nanshan district.

    Overnight: Shenzhen

    Day 7 — Shenzhen: B2B Matchmaking & Startup Ecosystem

    • Morning: curated B2B matchmaking session with local service providers, suppliers, and cross-border e-commerce startups.

    • Lunch: discussion with a local venture incubator (Qianhai or Shekou) on startup registration and financing in the Greater Bay Area.

    • Afternoon: Optional visits: hardware accelerators or innovation labs (e.g. HAX, Seeed Studio).

    • Evening: group dinner and wrap-up on lessons learned and next steps.

    Overnight: Shenzhen

    Day 8 — Hong Kong: Global Gateway

    • Morning: cross the Shenzhen–Hong Kong border (via high-speed rail or private van).

    • Late morning: meeting with Hong Kong-based corporate service providers and private bankers.

      • Topics: offshore structures, holding companies, and international banking.

    • Afternoon: walking briefing: “Hong Kong’s Role in China’s Financial Ecosystem.”

    • Evening: optional Victoria Peak dinner or harbor night cruise.

    Overnight: Hong Kong

    Day 9 — Hong Kong: Reflection & Departure

    • Morning: roundtable discussion — Key Takeaways & Go-to-Market Roadmap.

    • Optional: one-on-one business consulting sessions (Premium tier).

    • Afternoon: airport transfers and individual departures.

    End of Expedition.

    Why These Cities

    • Beijing: Headquarters of JD.com, ByteDance/Douyin, and key ad-tech firms.

    • Shanghai: Center for FDI, company registration, and professional services.

    • Hangzhou: Alibaba’s hometown — the beating heart of e-commerce logic.

    • Shenzhen: Hardware, innovation, and Tencent’s WeChat empire.

    • Hong Kong: Gateway for offshore structuring and merchant banking.

Duration: 9 days, 8 nights

Group Size: 8–12 participants

Type: Business Immersion / Corporate Delegation

Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ (Comfort)

Price: $6,888 per person

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What is Included

✅ Accommodation (4★ hotels, with breakfast)

✅ Domestic transport (high-speed trains, internal flights, private vans)

✅ Corporate visits & official briefings

✅ Senior bilingual guides & interpreters

✅ Meetings, workshops, and B2B matchmaking sessions

✅ Welcome & closing dinners

✅ All scheduled meals (as per itinerary)

✅ Visa invitation letter & on-arrival assistance

✅ Program materials, contact sheets, and logistics support

✅ Travel insurance coverage

✅ Dedicated media team

✅ SIM & Comms

❌ International flights

❌ Personal extra meals and expenses

❌ Visa costs (when applicable)

Why Join

This program is designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives who want to understand how China’s digital ecosystem truly operates, not from reports, but from inside the boardrooms and production floors.

If you’re exploring sourcing, partnerships, local incorporation, or expansion into Asia, this expedition delivers clarity, connections, and credibility.

You’ll return home with verified contacts, actionable frameworks, and a strategic understanding of how to position your business in the world’s fastest-evolving market.

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Get in Touch

Got a question about one of our expeditions, or just want to say hi?
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning for another adventure, our team is here to help with routes, dates, and details.

Drop us a message below — we’ll get back to you soon!

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From remote mountain trails to cultural hidden gems, we design seamless, small-group adventures that combine exploration, and authentic local experiences.

Explore 11 Expeditions in China with Shambhala

January

Northeast China

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Late March

The Tea Route

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April

Ethnic China

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May

Wild West I

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Late June

Duku Highway

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July

Mongol Crusades

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August

Wild West II

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September

Western Tibet

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October

Trans- Taklamakan

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November

Silk Road Frontier

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All Year Long

China Digital Economy

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Create your own adventure — from private trips to company retreats, we’ll tailor everything to you.

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