What does a typical 8-day China sourcing itinerary look like?
Plan around geography, not enthusiasm. Day 1: arrive and check in. Days 2–4: work a single factory cluster (for Bernie that was Zhenjiang's diamond-tool belt). Days 5–6: hit a market like Yiwu for shortlisting and price benchmarking. Days 7–8: cover electronics (Shenzhen) and hold a wrap-up meeting that scores every supplier. RND SOURCING builds the route, the high-speed-train tickets, the hotels and the daily appointments.
Detailed Explanation
Here is the actual rhythm of Bernie's June 11–18, 2024 trip, which is a good template for an eastern-China loop:
| Day | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nanjing to Zhenjiang, Jiangsu | Arrival, airport meet-up, hotel check-in |
| Day 2 | Zhenjiang, Jiangsu | Three diamond-tool and precision-tooling factories |
| Days 3-4 | Zhenjiang to Yiwu, Zhejiang | Sample reviews, tooling trials, transfer south |
| Days 5-6 | Yiwu, Zhejiang | Market shortlisting and factory follow-ups |
| Days 7-8 | Shenzhen, Guangdong | Electronics suppliers and the wrap-up meeting |
The constant is clustering: every factory in a region is seen back-to-back, so travel time never eats meeting time.
Real Case: RND SOURCING in Action
Bernie's loop covered 8 suppliers and factories, 4 provinces, and about 2,000 km by high-speed rail and one flight. Day 8 closed with the wrap-up: every supplier scored, every quotation compared, every follow-up assigned a deadline. He flew home with a prioritized supplier list, negotiated price benchmarks, and a product roadmap for the next two quarters.
Key Data
Related Questions
- How should I prepare for a China sourcing trip?
- How much does a China sourcing trip cost and how do I plan one?
- How many factories can you visit in one day?
- What is the best time of year for a sourcing trip?
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