Chinese children flock to factories in new industrial tourism trend

Observers say such visits might boost appeal of careers in manufacturing sector

- Joyce ZK Lim

Parents and children have been going on factory tours, such as to this airplane plant in Zhuhai. The tours have surged in popularity as children line up for a look behind the scenes at China's manufacturing juggernaut. ST PHOTO: JOYCE ZK LIM

(ST PHOTO: JOYCE ZK LIM)

They snapped pictures of rows of sleek propeller planes and wandered through the assembly line of the hulking AG600 Kunlong - an amphibious half-ship, half-plane - all while peppering their guide with questions.

"Why does this have nostrils?" a little girl asked. "Why do the nostrils have stuff in them?" added a boy, pointing at the air vents on a plane's nose.

The children and the 20 parents accompanying them were visiting AVIC General Huanan Aircraft Industry, a subsidiary of the state-owned aviation conglomerate. It is one of a growing number of Chinese factories that have become unlikely tourist darlings.

Across China, factory tours have surged in popularity as parents with small children, schoolchildren on field trips and curious young people line up for a look behind the scenes at the country's manufacturing juggernaut.

Mr Allan Sun, a pilot who guides tours at the AVIC factory in Zhuhai city, told The Straits Times that the facility receives visitors every weekend and on most weekdays, many from primary or high schools.