Tour Theme:
An In-Depth Industrial Tour from Shanxi-Style Traditional Architecture to Modern Building Materials in Foshan.
Core Concept:
Conduct in-depth visits to leading benchmark enterprises within Foshan’s building materials and home furnishings industry chain; immerse yourself in the industrial appeal of smart manufacturing, green production and cross-border cooperation; build targeted business matchmaking bridges; facilitate the realisation of cooperation intentions; and achieve the dual value of mutual empowerment through the exploration of traditional architectural craftsmanship and modern industry, alongside the linking of resources.
Project Highlights:
Focusing on leading enterprises in three key sectors—ceramic building materials, whole-home customisation/smart home solutions, and home furnishings distribution—the programme targets the core segments of the industrial chain, offering a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge intelligent production and green manufacturing systems.
By integrating the depth of Shanxi-style traditional architectural culture with an exploration of the modern building materials industry in Lingnan, the programme facilitates a cultural and technical convergence between traditional timber construction and carving techniques and modern building materials design and intelligent manufacturing.
The entire itinerary features high-end 5-star accommodation, distinctive Shanxi and Guangdong cuisine, and dedicated business services, ensuring an exceptional travel experience and efficient business negotiations to facilitate targeted networking.
Accommodation is carefully selected from highly-rated brand hotels and distinctive cultural lodgings, balancing business convenience with residential comfort to provide an ideal environment for industry exchange.
Target Audience
Suitable for business delegates from the building materials and home furnishings sectors, architectural design firms, traditional building contractors, interior design and decoration firms, property developers, and government and corporate investment promotion agencies. The programme focuses on industry matchmaking and technical collaboration, and welcomes partnerships with industry peers and travel sector professionals.
Day 1: Arrival in Taiyuan · A Taste of Shanxi · An Introduction to Ancient Architecture
Afternoon｜Arrival and Settling In
Arrive in Taiyuan and check in at the Wyndham Taiyuan Hotel (5-star rating on Ctrip, 4.7/5). After settling in, take some time to rest and acclimatise, preparing for the upcoming study tour of historic architecture and industrial visits.
Evening | Enjoy a traditional Taiyuan welcome
Banquet featuring authentic Shanxi cuisine, sampling classic dishes such as ‘over-fried pork’ and ‘tick-tip noodles’, gaining an initial insight into the culinary culture of Shanxi and unwinding after the journey.
Evening | Itinerary briefing · Preparing in peace
A pre-departure briefing will be held to explain the itinerary for the following six days, key points of the ancient architecture study tour, and important considerations for the industrial visits in Foshan. Study tour and business information packs will be distributed to assist with preparations for the trip.
Industry Focus
To help participants adjust to the pace of life in Shanxi after leaving the city, establish a clear understanding of the connection between the ancient architecture study tour and the industrial visits, and ensure all basic preparations for the trip are in place.
Day 2: The Jin Merchants’ Courtyard · In-depth Study of Timber Architecture · Immersion in Culture
Full Day: In-depth tour of the Jin Merchants’ Courtyard (Taiyuan → Qiao Family Compound → Pingyao Ancient City)
Morning | Tour of the Qiao Family Compound
Depart from Taiyuan and drive for one hour to the Qiao Family Compound. Explore this enclosed, fortress-like complex of Jin merchant architecture, admire the craftsmanship of the ‘Three Carvings’ (brick, wood and stone), and gain insight into the cultural significance of the ‘Double Happiness’ motif and the ‘Connecting the World’ plaque, whilst appreciating the family codes and commercial wisdom of the Jin merchants.
Task List:
• Craftsmanship Observation: Document the craftsmanship features of the wooden beams and columns, as well as the carved window panes, at the Qiao Family Compound, and compare these with the structural design principles of modern building materials;
• Cultural Insight: Examine the ‘integrity-based’ business ethos of the Shanxi merchants and consider its implications for modern corporate management;
• Material Collection: Photograph the intricate details of the traditional architectural craftsmanship to serve as a reference for the subsequent study tour of building materials in Foshan.
Lunchtime | Red Lantern Water Banquet
Enjoy the Red Lantern Water Banquet near the Qiao Family Compound, savour the distinctive features of Shanxi cuisine—where soups and broths harmonise with a balance of meat and vegetables—and recharge your batteries for the afternoon’s itinerary.
Afternoon | Exploring Pingyao Ancient City Drive one hour to Pingyao Ancient City
Stroll through the turtle-shaped walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting landmarks such as the Rishengchang Bank, the Ming and Qing Dynasty Old Street, and the Pingyao County Government Office. Gain an insight into the ancient banking system and the business practices of the Shanxi merchants, and immerse yourself in the commercial and architectural heritage of the ancient city.
Evening | Cultural Immersion · Unique Accommodation
Watch the immersive historical drama *Again in Pingyao*, and through the performance, gain an understanding of the passion and spirit of the Shanxi merchants, who placed ‘righteousness’ above all else, whilst experiencing the charm of this immersive cultural experience. Stay at the Pingyao Hotel (Ctrip 5-star, 4.7/5), a distinctive residence with a Republican-era style, within walking distance of the historic city centre, and unwind in an atmosphere steeped in ancient charm.
Industry Focus
An in-depth exploration of the timber construction and carving techniques found in the grand courtyards of Shanxi merchants, offering an insight into the commercial culture of the Shanxi merchant class and laying the groundwork for comparative research between traditional architectural techniques and modern building materials.
Day 3: Tracing the Origins at Jinci · The Essence of Ancient Architecture · Journey to Foshan
Morning｜In-depth Visit to Jinci
Visit Jin Ci to view key attractions such as the Song Dynasty coloured sculptures in the Hall of the Holy Mother, the Flying Bridge over the Fish Pond, and the ancient cypress and locust trees dating back to the Zhou and Tang dynasties. Savour the architectural ingenuity of ancient timber bridges and the artistic essence of Song Dynasty coloured sculptures, whilst immersing yourself in the cultural roots of Shanxi’s ancient architecture, bringing this study tour of the region’s historic buildings to a close.
Key Focus of the Visit
To summarise the core characteristics of Shanxi-style traditional architecture—namely, ‘harmony between heaven and humanity’ and ‘exquisite craftsmanship’—and to identify the connections between traditional building materials and techniques and modern building materials.
Lunch | Shanxi-style Business Lunch
Dine at the Shanxi Guild Hall, a time-honoured establishment specialising in Shanxi cuisine. Savour signature dishes such as Shanxi copper hotpot and Yellow River carp, whilst watching demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage noodle-making techniques, including knife-cut noodles and dragon’s beard noodles, and experience the deep fusion of Shanxi merchant culture and culinary traditions.
Afternoon | Return from Shanxi · Journey to Foshan
Depart from Taiyuan and fly to Guangzhou/Foshan. A professional guide will meet you at the airport to assist with luggage and transfer you by coach to your hotel in Foshan city centre. Check in at the Foshan Lingnan Tiandi Crowne Plaza Hotel (Ctrip 5-star, 4.6 rating or equivalent standard) to rest and reflect, marking the transition from the ancient architecture of Shanxi to the modern industries of Lingnan.
Eening | Lingnan Flavours · Initial Networking
Enjoy a classic Cantonese welcome dinner, savouring Lingnan specialities such as white-cut chicken and claypot rice, whilst experiencing the charm of Foshan’s culinary culture; engage in initial business discussions to establish collaborative links; receive a briefing on the specific itinerary for subsequent industrial visits in Foshan; return to the hotel for rest after dinner.
Industrial Focus
Concluding the exploration of Shanxi-style ancient architecture and completing the transition to the Foshan industrial tour; laying the groundwork for business matchmaking and establishing a core understanding of industrial exchange.
Day 4: Foshan’s Smart Ceramic Manufacturing · Whole-Home Customisation · Digital and Intelligent Production
Morning | Visit to Mona Lisa Group Co., Ltd.
As the ‘lead enterprise’ in Guangdong’s architectural ceramics industry chain and a nationally recognised green factory, we will gain an in-depth insight into high-end ceramic smart manufacturing and green production systems, marking the start of our tour of Foshan’s core industries.
Full Tour Itinerary
1. Guided by a representative, collect the bilingual (Chinese-English) company brochure, tour map and product sample catalogue, and familiarise yourself with the tour guidelines;
2. Overview of the company: via a digital display screen, learn about the company’s global footprint, core strengths such as the AI surface defect detection system and zero-carbon combustion production lines, as well as its overseas cooperation models;
3. Tour of the smart production line: enter the smart digitalisation demonstration workshop for special high-temperature plates, observe the operation of smart equipment such as AGV robots and robotic arms, understand the end-to-end digitalised control of the ceramic production process, and focus on innovative export products such as high-end ceramics and light-sensitive colour-changing ceramics;
4. Product Exhibition and Business Discussions: Visit the company’s product showroom to view product ranges such as ‘Wuji·Stone Realm’, which blend Eastern aesthetics with modern design, and discuss matters including cross-border cooperation, product customisation and the establishment of overseas supply chains with company representatives.
Lunchtime | Speciality River Seafood Banquet
Drive to Sanshui to enjoy a speciality river seafood banquet and sample local Foshan river seafood delicacies. After lunch, take a short break to recharge your batteries for the afternoon’s visit to the industrial park.
Afternoon | Visit to Mag Home’s Smart Manufacturing Base · Industry Exchange
Visiting Mag Home’s core smart manufacturing base—a benchmark for the home furnishings sector’s transformation—and gain an in-depth understanding of the cutting-edge developments in digitalisation and sustainability within the whole-home customisation industry.
Full itinerary
1. Digital Sandtable Presentation: Gain an understanding of the park’s global industrial layout and achievements in digital transformation through the digital sandtable;
2. Immersive Tour of Demonstration Workshops:Smart Cabinetry Workshop: Observe the German Homag flexible production line and experience the intelligent operational processes behind ‘millimetre-level’ personalised customisation;
Digital Wooden Door Workshop: Tour the Italian CEFLA fully automated water-based paint spraying line and learn about eco-friendly production processes and the green manufacturing philosophy of dust recovery and reuse;
3. Control Room and Design Experience: View real-time production capacity and energy consumption data in the control room, and experience the 3D cloud design system to rapidly generate whole-home customisation solutions tailored to overseas property layouts;
4. Thematic Business Discussions: Engage in discussions with the park’s management and overseas business directors to explore experiences in digital and intelligent transformation, adaptation to overseas product standards, cross-border supply chain cooperation, and joint design and R&D initiatives.
Evening | Lingnan Wellness Dinner
Enjoying a special dinner featuring Guangdong-style soups, savouring slow-cooked soups and clay pot dishes to unwind after a busy day and share your thoughts on the day’s visits.
Industry Focus
Gain in-depth insights into core technologies for smart manufacturing and green production in the ceramic building materials sector; establish targeted connections with leading enterprises in the ceramic industry chain; and identify key issues and areas of interest for cross-border cooperation.
Day 5: Putting Results into Practice · Home Aesthetics · A Successful Return Journey
Morning｜Visit to the Shunde Luofu Palace International Furniture Expo Centre
Explore China’s first 4A-rated tourist attraction that doubles as a furniture retail centre, and immerse yourself in an aesthetic display of high-end building materials, smart home solutions and a full range of home furnishings. Discuss product procurement and bespoke collaborations with retailers and designers, and experience the comprehensive strength and innovative appeal of Foshan’s home furnishings industry, which combines ‘design, smart manufacturing and distribution’.
Key Activities | Debriefing and Signing of Cooperation Agreements
A five-day debriefing session will be held to review the key elements of the study tour of ancient architecture in Shanxi and the industrial visit to Foshan, to outline cooperation intentions and key matters arising from the trip, and to address any business-related queries. Letters of intent will be signed to facilitate the implementation of the outcomes of the industrial exchange and lay the groundwork for further in-depth cooperation.
Lunch | Authentic Shunde Cuisine Experience
Enjoy authentic Shunde cuisine and sample specialities such as double-skin milk, Lunjiao cake and Shunde-style raw fish, savouring the essence of Lingnan culinary culture and bringing this itinerary to a perfect culinary conclusion.
Afternoon | Return Journey
Receive complimentary souvenirs such as Foshan Blind Man’s Biscuits and Jiujiang Fried Dough Balls. Board a coach to Guangzhou or Foshan Airport, concluding this Jin-style ancient architecture study tour combined with the Foshan building materials and smart home industry tour, before returning to your respective destinations.
Industry Focus
Experience the allure of high-end home aesthetics and industrial integration, consolidate collaborative resources throughout the process, facilitate the realisation of cooperation initiatives, and complete the full cycle of traditional architecture study tours and industrial site visits.
Personalised Service
Professional guides specialising in ancient architecture, industry liaison officers and tour guides will accompany you throughout the trip to ensure the smooth running of the itinerary, study sessions and business meetings.
• Traditional snacks such as Foshan Blind Man’s Cake and Jiujiang Jian Dui will be served during the journey, accompanied by authentic Cantonese herbal tea, allowing you to savour the unique flavours of Foshan throughout the trip;
• Complimentary Foshan-themed souvenirs and an industry visit information pack (including company brochures, product samples and a business negotiation guide) will be provided to serve as a lasting memento of your industrial exchange;
• Accommodation throughout the trip is in Ctrip 5-star highly-rated hotels, ensuring a comfortable stay and providing an ideal environment for rest and relaxation during study tours and business negotiations.