Doing Business in Beijing for 5 Days
Hey there, I'm Eddie! Having spent my university years at Peking University (2009-2011), I've seen Beijing transform firsthand—from navigating the rapidly expanding subway lines to wandering through the historic hutongs and hanging out in Sanlitun and the 798 Art District. Beijing isn't just China's cultural and political heart; it's the absolute epicenter of the country's internet and startup boom.
This immersive program is designed for international business professionals, offering a deep dive into Beijing's dynamic tech ecosystem. Following our Weekly Rhythm, this 5-day course takes you straight into the headquarters of internet giants and the creative hubs of globalizing trendy brands, revealing the true scale and speed of doing business in China's capital.
1. Beijing: The Internet Giants & The Globalization of Trendy Culture
Duration: 5 Days (Monday – Friday)
Zhongguancun to Global Stages
Beijing's Haidian District, specifically Zhongguancun, is widely recognized as China's Silicon Valley. It's the birthplace of massive internet platforms that have reshaped daily life and business globally. This course takes you inside the campuses of heavyweights like Baidu (often dubbed China's Google) and ByteDance (the powerhouse behind TikTok, Douyin, and Seedance). But it's not all just code and algorithms—we'll also explore how Beijing is exporting Chinese pop culture through wildly successful designer toy brands like Pop Mart and its iconic IPs like Crybaby and Labubu. We'll unpack how these Beijing-born companies scale, innovate, and capture global markets.
• Inside the Tech Titans: Exclusive visits to the headquarters of Baidu and ByteDance. We'll discuss their AI strategies, algorithm-driven content, and how they maintain their competitive edge.
• Trendy Brands Going Global: A deep dive into Pop Mart's headquarters to understand the "blind box" economy, IP creation (like Crybaby), and the globalization of Chinese designer toys.
• The Startup Ecosystem: A walking tour and workshop in Zhongguancun Software Park, exploring the incubator culture and venture capital landscape that fuels Beijing's innovation.
• Cultural Context (Eddie's Pick): We'll contrast the high-tech hustle with Beijing's profound history, taking a moment to appreciate the city's heritage (and yes, maybe a quick stop by a serene spot, as I'm a huge fan of temple architecture!).
Weekly Itinerary
|
Day
|
Focus
|
Experience
|
|
Mon
|
Welcome & Kick-off
|
Arrival in Beijing; Welcome dinner in a traditional hutong courtyard; Eddie's intro to Beijing's tech evolution and the "Zhongguancun Spirit."
|
|
Tue
|
The Search & AI Pioneers
|
Visit to Baidu Headquarters; Workshop on China's AI landscape and autonomous driving initiatives; Networking lunch with local tech talent.
|
|
Wed
|
The Content Algorithm
|
Visit to ByteDance Headquarters; Q&A session on short-video ecosystems (TikTok/Douyin) and global user acquisition strategies.
|
|
Thu
|
The Business of Pop Culture
|
Visit to Pop Mart Headquarters; Discussion on IP licensing, retail strategies, and how Chinese designer toys are going global.
|
|
Fri
|
Wrap-up & Outlook
|
Course summary and sharing of insights at a 798 Art District cafe; Workshop on "Entering the Chinese Market"; Certificate presentation and farewell lunch.
|
