For many travellers, a first trip to China still means Beijing’s Forbidden City and Great Wall, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai’s skyline and perhaps a cruise on the Yangtze. These places remain essential. But today’s China offers another side that can be just as fascinating: a country experimenting with technologies that until recently belonged largely to science fiction.
At Laurus Travel, we increasingly look for ways to introduce our guests to this new China.
In cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou, that might mean visiting an electric-vehicle showroom to see the latest Chinese cars, stepping into a showroom where humanoid robots demonstrate what they can do, or exploring Shenzhen’s famous Huaqiangbei electronics district, where an astonishing assortment of components, gadgets and consumer electronics fills entire buildings.
Some experiences are much simpler, and perhaps more fun. In locations where the service is available, we can help guests order a drink, snack or other small item by smartphone and watch it arrive by drone at a designated collection point. Something that sounds futuristic at home can be part of everyday life in China.
Then there are experiences that do not require a special visit at all. Travellers quickly notice electric vehicles everywhere, remarkably quiet city streets, sophisticated mobile-payment systems, high-speed trains, automated services and other technologies woven into daily life.
China Is More Than Its Past
China’s extraordinary history is one of the main reasons people travel there, and Laurus Travel would never suggest replacing the country’s great historical and cultural sights with technology attractions.
We believe travellers should experience both.
A morning might be spent walking through a centuries-old temple or classical garden, while the afternoon provides a glimpse of robotics, electric vehicles or China’s rapidly changing retail scene. Travelling between cities aboard a high-speed train becomes part of the story itself.
This combination of old and new is one of the things that makes China particularly interesting today.
Going Beyond the Standard Itinerary
Arranging these experiences is not always as simple as adding another attraction to a sightseeing list. Technology changes quickly. A showroom worth visiting this year may be less interesting next year. Drone-delivery services operate only in certain locations. Some facilities require advance arrangements, while others may change their visitor policies.
That is where local knowledge matters.
Laurus Travel was founded in 1998, and our connection with China goes back even further. We work closely with people on the ground and continually review what is new, worthwhile and practical for our guests. When an interesting experience emerges, we can investigate it, determine whether it is genuinely worth the time, and work it into an itinerary when appropriate.
We also understand that not everyone wants the same thing. One traveller may be fascinated by Chinese EVs. Another wants to see humanoid robots. Someone else could happily spend half a day wandering through Huaqiangbei looking at electronics. These activities can often be incorporated into private journeys or customized arrangements without turning an entire trip into a technology tour.
See the China People Are Talking About Today
The Great Wall will still be there. So will the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors and China’s ancient temples, gardens and historic towns.
But China in 2026 is also BYD and other fast-growing EV makers, humanoid robots, drone deliveries, high-speed rail and a digital economy that can surprise even well-travelled visitors.
For us, showing China well means understanding both worlds.
After decades of arranging travel throughout the country, Laurus Travel knows the classic China intimately. Just as importantly, we keep our eyes open for what is happening now.
Because a great China trip should not only help you understand where the country came from. It should also give you a glimpse of where it may be going.
