China’s Industrial Tourism Boom: Factories Become Must-See Destinations

China's factory tours surge 36% as industrial tourism grows, blending education and innovation for families and foreign visitors.

Editorial Desk

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Beijing, China — Summer 2026 has seen a sharp increase in factory visits across China, with tourists flocking to high-tech manufacturing sites such as electric vehicle plants, electronics factories, and high-speed train facilities. The trend is part of a broader push by the Chinese government to promote industrial tourism as a way to showcase national technological achievements and inspire future engineers.

According to Tongcheng, a major online travel platform, bookings for factory tours rose over 36% year-on-year this summer, with families making up 68% of participants. This form of tourism, known as ‘gongye luyou,’ has been supported by the Communist Party since the 1990s, when industries like breweries and petrochemical plants first began opening their doors to the public. In 2004, the central government officially recognized 306 industrial and agricultural sites under a national tourism initiative.

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The recent policy push includes a joint document from seven government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Education, calling for more factory tours, industrial museums, and open-access manufacturing facilities. These efforts are designed to integrate industrial heritage, cultural tourism, and education, while also promoting brand awareness and new revenue streams for companies. As China continues to expand its industrial capabilities, these tours serve both as a tool for national pride and a means of attracting foreign investment and expertise.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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