Foreign investors, entrepreneurs and executives are increasingly paying for access to Chinese factories and technology companies, seeking insight into advances in humanoid robots, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. The visits reflect concern in Western boardrooms and capitals that Chinese companies could be gaining ground in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, a trend some describe as a potential China shock 2.0. Robert Wu, CEO of Shanghai-based data research firm Baiguan, has organized two five-day tours for more than two dozen participants, charging as much as $15,000. Around half came from Southeast Asia. Other known visitors include U.S. investment firms Dimension, Capital Group and Thrive Capital, along with U.S. tech podcaster Lex Fridman. The broader industrial tourism sector generated $17.8 billion last year and is projected to exceed 300 billion yuan ($44.7 billion) by 2029. Glopen, a Shanghai-based technology tour agency, said inquiries rose 50% in 2026, mainly from European and Singaporean clients, and that it now operates more than 100 single-day company tours each month. Tours commonly cover Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hefei, major centers for electric vehicles, batteries, AI and robotics. China has designated more than 140 industrial-tourism demonstration sites, while factories increasingly offer public visits for about $60. Xiaomi’s electric-vehicle factory has received more than 250,000 visitors since March 2024, with lottery-based entry slots resold online for as much as 2,000 yuan ($300). European executives are seeking lessons from Chinese companies and from large-scale AI deployment coordinated across provinces. Analysts and industry participants caution that non-Chinese technology companies still hold most global market share, the most advanced intellectual property and the largest profits. Nevertheless, visitors continue to arrive despite U.S.-China technology tensions, partly because American robotics companies remain heavily reliant on Chinese components and hardware. Shenzhen has become a focal point, with foreign visitor numbers rising 70% last year and more than 5 million entries recorded through August this year. The city is preparing to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in November and is developing networks and workspaces for foreign robotics and AI hardware entrepreneurs.