Let's go to factories -- Factory tours emerging as new Spring Festival travel trend

GRASS SEED TO DROP OF MILK

While Shougang Park represents the revitalization of a historical industrial site, Chinese dairy giant Yili Group's Health Valley industrial scenic area reveals the future of sustainable manufacturing and industrial tourism.

Located in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region in North China, the company has transformed its facilities into a destination that combines ecological responsibility with technological innovation.

Since launching its industrial tourism program in 2005, Yili Group and its factories across China have recorded nearly 3 billion visits, allowing the tourists to witness "the journey from a grass seed to a drop of milk," said Wang Jia, a business manager at Yili Group.

The company's latest initiative, known as Health Valley, features a groundbreaking "zero-carbon factory," where advanced technologies like automated "dark warehouses" and AI-driven production systems minimize environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.

"In the past, I always thought that a factory was all about workers busy on the assembly lines, but here, I saw a highly automated production line. Almost the entire production process did not need manual intervention, proving both efficient and accurate," said Song Jia, a tourist from Southwest China's Sichuan province.

"At Yili, sustainability is not just a goal -- it's a core part of our identity," said Wang. "Our industrial tourism program allows visitors to see firsthand how we integrate green practices into every aspect of our operations."

Health Valley offers visitors a uniquely immersive experience. Through AI, VR and 5G technologies, guests can explore virtual dairy farms, interact with robots, and witness the production of milk, yogurt and other dairy products. The site also has a state-of-the-art 5D cinema, where visitors embark on a multi-sensory adventure through the "Milk Universe."

For families, Health Valley provides hands-on educational activities, such as milk-processing workshops and science-themed baking classes. Children can even create their own nutritional profiles and learn about the science behind Yili's products. These initiatives have been instrumental in fostering a deeper connection between consumers and the brand.

"Traditional scenic spots are mainly about natural scenery or historical culture, while Health Valley features a combination of modern industry and technology. It is a brand-new travel experience," said Xie Xin, a resident of Hohhot.