Industrial tourism is experiencing a boom during the ongoing eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season, with Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard drawing crowds of families and educational groups eager to explore the country's industrial might.
Jiangnan Shipyard under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) was founded 160 years ago. During the holiday, visitors flocked to its national industrial tourism demonstration base on Changxing Island to witness firsthand the scale and sophistication of China's heavy industry.
Inside the exhibition hall, a striking photo wall documents the evolution of shipbuilding, displaying images ranging from ancient wooden boats to cutting-edge modern vessels. Each photograph tells a story of craftsmanship and innovation, captivating students on site.
"I was really impressed by the ships. In class, we mainly listen, but here, I saw the ships with my own eyes. It's really fresh to me," said Li Xinhui, a student from the First Primary School of Honghe Hani Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
At the shipyard, the atmosphere was lively with the sound of machinery. Under giant gantry cranes, workers were busy constructing large container ships and liquefied natural gas carriers inside the docks. Visitors experienced an immersive view of every step from steel plate cutting and shaping to the assembly and launching of massive ships.
"China's shipbuilding industry is incredibly strong. It helps us better understand our history, and I hope our country's technology will keep developing so well in the future," said Fu Chongjun, a student of Shanghai's Changming Middle School.
Beyond sightseeing, students engaged in hands-on activities such as assembling ship models, learning about ship structure and modular manufacturing. The classroom then transformed into a miniature shipyard, allowing students to grasp the principles of structural disassembly and assembly, offering a "scenario-based" educational experience that differs from traditional sightseeing.
"This kind of hands-on experience lets students feel China's industrial strength up close. It fosters pride and understanding of the craftsmanship and pursuit of excellence behind 'Made in China,' planting a seed of curiosity and love for our country's industrial future," said Zhou Yundie, a teacher at the Changming Middle School.
The popularity of industrial tourism reflects a successful blend of industrial manufacture, historical culture and leisure. This immersive approach not only enriches visitors' understanding of China's industrial achievements but also serves as a patriotic and science-education lesson in one.
"During this year's National Day holiday, we expect to receive 6,000 visitors. In the future, we will also introduce cutting-edge digital technologies. Visitors can enter advanced intelligent manufacturing scenarios such as the digital shipbuilding laboratory, 5G intelligent manufacturing laboratory, and intelligent welding laboratory, and experience the development of industrial manufacturing on the spot," said Zheng Yongqiang, the CSSC's Jiangnan Shipyard industrial tourism project manager.
Industrial tourism booms during National Day holiday as Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard attracts crowds
