ODM sent one of our sales staff to travel around Mainland China and do factory visits recently. Usually factory visits are carried out by our merchandising team, but it really is useful for our HK based sales team to also get their hands dirty on factory floor from time to time.
Josiah carried out Quality Control checks on some of our current production and since he dealt with clients from inception it was a very rewarding experience to see products through to production. As the factories were situated in different cities and provinces, he spent a fair of bit of his time navigating his way around. Here are the different forms of transport he has noted while travelling in China.
- Long Distance Bus
After a visit to a pen factory and staying overnight in Tonglu County, our staff took a bus down to Hangzhou. The journey took about 2.5 hours. These buses arrive in intervals of approximately 20 minutes and is a great way for those who need to commute from big cities to the more rural towns. A point to note though, the bus rides may get really bumpy as some of the roads are not well maintained!
Bus station cramped with travellers
- EMU Train (和谐号)
Our staff also visited the Yiwu International Trade Market and took the high speed train from Hangzhou. It was a two hour journey and was very smooth, unlike the bus ride. These EMU trains also known as 动车/高铁 to the locals, runs on electricity and travel at a top speed of 250km/h, speeding across cities. It is ideal for travellers who are looking for a more comfortable ride to transit between cities.
Electric Multiple Unit Train
- Plane
Of course, our staff also took an internal flight in China. As Yiwu is very far from Xiamen, he travelled by plane from these from Yiwu. There are many domestic airlines to select from and our adventurous staff decided to go with Hainan Airlines. The journey was about an hour and a half and he touched down in Xiamen safely. The plane is not doubt the fastest mode of transport!
Domestic Flight – Hainan Airlines
- Taxi
Being unfamiliar with getting around in Xiamen, our staff decided to hop on to the most convenient transport, a taxi. Even though taking the taxi is more expensive as compared to taking the bus, it is really convenient for any newbie travellers. Fun facts: Taxi prices are different depending on the city you’re in!
Tons of Taxis Outside the Airport
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of getting around China, you can start planning your very own factory visits…
If you’re interested in having a quality check (QC) for your goods or looking for a buying office in Asia, feel free to contact our ODM team and we’ll be happy to assist you!
Meanwhile, check out our related blog on factory visits:
