Students in the Immersion Class participated in a four-day academic and industrial journey across Changzhi and Taiyuan in Shanxi Province from November 9 to 13, 2025. Guided by Professor Ye Cheng, the program deepened students' understanding of China's evolving industrial landscape while offering firsthand experiences of the region's rich cultural heritage and rapid technological transformation.

Beginning the journey from Beijing to Changzhi

Day 1: Exploring Industrial Innovation in Changzhi

Zhongke Lu'an UV Photoelectric

The journey began at Zhongke Lu'an UV Photoelectric, a leading enterprise specializing in LED UV technologies used for disinfection and sterilization. Students observed production processes demonstrating precision engineering and intelligent control systems, gaining insight into how UV technology supports public health and industrial sanitation.

Students explore LED UV products

Huojia Chemical Industry

The group then visited Huojia Chemical Industry, where they examined the full cycle of chemical production, from raw material extraction to refining, testing, and packaging. The visit highlighted industrial safety measures and environmental management practices, offering a clearer picture of how chemical enterprises balance efficiency with responsibility.

Students observe the workflow of chemical production

Zhongde Group

In the afternoon, students explored Zhongde Group, an aluminum window-frame manufacturing company. Advanced machinery, automated processes, and precise engineering techniques illustrated the company's commitment to product quality. A hands-on welding demonstration provided an interactive experience, showing how skilled labor complements modern manufacturing design.

Seeing aluminum window-frame manufacturing and welding operations

Changzhi Talent Summer Palace

The day concluded with a visit to the Changzhi Talent Summer Palace, a one-stop service center designed to attract and support high-level talent. Integrating resources from government, universities, and industry, the center provides coordinated services for research collaboration, innovation projects, and daily-life needs. It reflects Changzhi's commitment to building an open and supportive ecosystem for talent development.

Visiting Changzhi's talent service and innovation center

Day 2: Industrial Strength and Cultural Heritage

Shanxi High-tech Huaye Electronic Group

The second day began with an exploration of advanced LED display module manufacturing. Students learned how micro-level precision, automated packaging, and high-speed testing systems are central to the competitiveness of modern display technologies. This visit offered a firsthand understanding of how electronics manufacturing aligns with global digital innovation.

Learning about LED modules and experiencing display screens

Shanxi Lujiu: Tradition and Modernization

The next stop was Shanxi Lujiu, where students explored the deep cultural heritage of Shanxi's liquor industry. They learned about traditional solid-state fermentation techniques, the use of earthen jars, and the multi-stage distillation processes that define the region's distinctive liquor profile. This combination of ancient craftsmanship and modern industrial technology offered students valuable insight into how local industries preserve cultural heritage while adapting to contemporary production standards.

Experiencing traditional liquor fermentation and modern techniques

Shanxi Huhua Group

The group then visited Shanxi Huhua Group, an important manufacturer specializing in civilian explosives and industrial blasting technologies used in mining, infrastructure development, and controlled demolition. Students toured the facility to understand how raw materials are processed, stabilized, and tested under strict safety protocols. The visit provided a rare opportunity to observe an industrial sector where technological precision, safety engineering, and environmental responsibility must work hand in hand.

Learning civilian explosives production and safety systems

Cultural Exploration in Changzhi

In the evening, students visited the Emperor Yan statue and enjoyed a short tour of Changzhi's illuminated cityscape. The experience offered a cultural perspective that complemented the day's industrial insights.

Enjoying Changzhi's cultural landmarks and evening scenery

Day 3: Automotive Innovation in Jinzhong

Geely Auto

On the third day, the group traveled from Changzhi to the Taiyuan. In the afternoon, they visited the Geely Auto Jinzhong Manufacturing Base, one of the core sites supporting Geely's national vehicle production network. Students observed automated assembly lines, robotic welding, intelligent logistics, and comprehensive quality-inspection systems. The visit illustrated how digital technologies and smart manufacturing are reshaping China's automotive industry and advancing sustainable mobility.

Observing automated vehicle assembly and smart manufacturing

Day 4: Clean Energy Innovation and Cultural Heritage in Taiyuan

Shanxi Energy Internet Research Institute and Green Energy

The final day focused on the future of energy and digitalization. At the Shanxi Energy Internet Research Institute and Green Energy, students explored research in smart grids, digital energy platforms, and advanced storage technologies. Discussions on renewable-energy integration, grid stability, and data-driven energy management offered a forward-looking understanding of how intelligent energy systems support sustainable development.

Exploring smart energy innovation and advanced storage technologies

Jinci Temple

In the afternoon, the group visited Jinci Temple, a landmark that reflects over a thousand years of architectural and cultural history in Shanxi. Students explored its ancient halls, courtyards, and natural spring features, observing how traditional craftsmanship and landscape design shape the site's distinctive character. The visit offered a calm and reflective contrast to the day's focus on modern energy innovation.

As the group returned to Beijing, the four-day program offered a comprehensive view of Shanxi's diverse industrial and cultural landscape. From advanced manufacturing and energy innovation to traditional craftsmanship and historic architecture, the journey strengthened students' understanding of how industry, technology, and heritage evolve together. The experience enriched their academic learning and broadened their appreciation of China's ongoing transformation.

Special appreciation is extended to Mr. Hongting Lai, Ms. Yan Wang, and their colleagues in Changzhi, together with Mr. Shaohua Wei, Ms. Siyu Li, and their colleagues in Taiyuan. Additional thanks are given to all partners whose support contributed throughout the visit.

Concluding the four-day immersion trip

Students’ Voice

My strongest learning experience at Geely was seeing how ambition and scale work together through vertical integration. Geely controls much of its supply chain, from key components to platform development, allowing faster innovation and higher quality. The use of Digital Twin technology was another highlight. It creates a real-time digital replica of the production line, helping track efficiency, defects, and equipment performance. This showed how modern automakers rely on strategic ownership and data-driven systems to stay competitive.

from Bilal, 2024 GMA

The most memorable moment of this trip was visiting Zhongke Lu’an UV Photoelectric. I had never seen UV LED production up close before, and watching the full process from tiny components to the final product made me realize how advanced and detailed China’s manufacturing is. My strongest learning came from Zhongke Lu’an Energy Storage, where seeing large-scale battery production helped me connect Industrial Engineering theory with real practice. The explanations on safety systems, testing, and energy management gave me a much clearer view of modern manufacturing. I also learned how strongly provincial governments support innovation, something I had heard about but only truly understood after seeing it in Shanxi. This trip inspired me and reminded me why I chose Industrial Engineering, motivating me to keep improving and contribute to real-world innovations.

from Mamun, 2024 GMA

The visit to HuHua Group was unforgettable. Seeing explosive materials up close was something I would never experience back home. My most valuable learning moment was at Green Energy, where the explanations on energy storage felt like a deep dive into engineering and sustainability. I also learned how provincial policies encourage green development in China. At Lu'an UV Photoelectric, the clean room and lab reminded me of my time in a semiconductor factory and renewed my interest in research on manufacturing quality.

from Milan, 2024 IMEM

The Shanxi trip offered a valuable opportunity for us to explore industries that would otherwise be difficult to access. In terms of innovation exposure, the most striking visits were Zhongke Lu’an UV Photoelectric, where we saw firsthand hardware disruption in UV-based disinfection, and Green Energy, whose vanadium battery technology provided strong insight into the industry’s innovation capabilities. For unique industries, my personal highlight was Huhua Group, which demonstrated how blasting mechanisms operate, the technologies involved, and how these systems align with industrial and safety policies established not only by China but also by international clients.

from Juan, 2024 PM

Writer: Mamun, Rui Lu

Photographers: Rui Lu, visited companies

Reviewers: Liang Ma, Lefei Li