Days 1–4 · strategy and systems
Shanghai
Urban planning, the smart city, digital governance, architectural and engineering solutions. You can see how city-level decisions connect with each other.
Business trip · business missionUrbanism and architectural solutions
A seven-day business trip to Shanghai and Suzhou on how China renews its cities: regeneration of old districts, affordable and rental housing, smart cities and work with historic buildings.
- June 2027 · flexible dates
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Shanghai — Suzhou — Shanghai
- up to 15 participants
7days of business programme
2cities: Shanghai and Suzhou
7areas of urban development
15participants at most
About the programme
At every site the group talks to architects, engineers, managers and representatives of the relevant agencies. You can ask how regeneration works in practice, whether digital platforms pay off and what compromises are made when residents are relocated.
Strategy and digital governance
Urban planning, the smart city, a unified operations centre, architectural and engineering solutions.
Housing and communities
Reconstruction of old housing stock, public and rental housing, the complete community model.
Historic environment
Xintiandi, Block 32 in Gusu, Shuangta Market: what was kept, what was renewed and how these places live today.
Format: meetings with the relevant agencies, visits to live projects and discussions with experts on how these projects are designed, operated and managed.
Route logic
In Shanghai we look at how the city is run as a whole. In Suzhou we see how that looks in specific neighbourhoods.
Days 5–6 · specific neighbourhoods
Suzhou
Affordable housing, historic areas, "complete communities", renewed markets. Here you can see what city strategy looks like at the level of a street and a courtyard.
Who this trip is for
Besides the showcase sites, the programme includes old workers’ housing estates, digital platforms and historic districts where some buildings were kept and others were rebuilt for new uses.
Representatives of municipal and regional authorities
Study Chinese models of urban development, renovation and housing policy, and mechanisms of inter-agency coordination.
Architects and urban planners
See how China carries out district reconstruction, preserves the historic environment and adapts it to modern functions.
Engineers and technical specialists
Understand how infrastructure, housing and digital management platforms are modernised in practice.
Heads of development and property management companies
Understand the models behind the development of housing, public spaces and city services.
Day-by-day programme
Tap a day to see the details.
Day 1ArrivalShanghai
- Afternoon
- Arrival at Pudong or Hongqiao airport, meet and greet, transfer to the hotel.
- Evening
- Welcome dinner: participants get to know each other and hear about the route and how Chinese cities are developing today.
Day 2Development strategy and renovationShanghai
- Morning
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center: the city’s development strategy and regeneration. Xintiandi: how historic buildings were adapted for a new life.
- Afternoon
- Pengpu Xincun: reconstruction of old housing stock, working with residents, resettlement and preserving the memory of the place.
- Evening
- Free time.
Day 3Rental housing and the smart cityShanghai
- Morning
- A rental housing project in Shanghai: how the model works, floor plans, public spaces and community management.
- Afternoon
- A smart city research institute: how a city’s digital transformation is organised, KPIs and the payback of digital platforms.
- Evening
- Free time.
Day 4Digital governance and designShanghai
- Morning
- Shanghai City Operations Centre: a unified network for managing and monitoring city processes, real-time response and inter-agency coordination.
- Afternoon
- A major architecture and design institute: architectural and engineering solutions in regeneration, energy efficiency, standard models.
- Evening
- Free time.
Day 5Affordable housing and the historic environmentShanghai → Suzhou
- Morning
- High-speed train to Suzhou. An affordable rental housing project for the city’s new residents.
- Afternoon
- Gusu District, Block 32: preserving the historic environment and adapting it to modern functions.
- Evening
- Free time, night at the hotel.
Day 6Complete communitiesSuzhou → Shanghai
- Morning
- Suzhou Industrial Park Planning Exhibition Centre: integrating industry, housing and the urban environment, long-term territorial development strategy.
- Afternoon
- Nanchuanyuan district: a "complete community" model where services and public spaces are close by and residents take part in running the neighbourhood.
- Evening
- Return to Shanghai. Farewell dinner, wrap-up and next steps.
Day 7DepartureShanghai
- Morning
- Free time.
- Afternoon
- Transfer to Pudong or Hongqiao airport.
We do not publish the names of the companies and institutes. We discuss them with participants one-on-one, in messages or on a call, and share the full list of meetings closer to the trip. The programme can be adjusted to the group’s goals.
Programme sites
We share company and institute names with participants one-on-one. Below is the level and profile of each site.
Shanghai
Shanghai Urban Planning Centre
The city’s development strategy and renovation.
Shanghai
Pengpu Xincun
Reconstruction of old housing stock, working with residents and preserving the memory of the place.
Shanghai
A rental housing project
Layouts, public spaces and community management.
Shanghai
Smart city institute and operations centre
The logic of digital transformation, platform KPIs, a unified city management network.
Suzhou
Gusu District, Block 32
Preserving the historic environment and adapting it to modern functions.
Suzhou
Suzhou Industrial Park and Nanchuanyuan
Integrating industry and housing, the complete community model.
What makes this trip different
The full cycle of an urban project
The programme follows the whole chain: strategy, planning, design, operation and management.
Sites without open access
Regeneration districts, housing projects, a smart city operations centre and historic restoration sites.
Talking to the people who make the decisions
Architects, engineers and managers explain how their projects work and answer questions.
What applies in Russia
We discuss separately which solutions can be carried over to Russian cities: housing, regeneration, public spaces, digital governance.
Why we don’t name the companies
We do not publish the names of the companies and institutes. We discuss them with participants one-on-one, in messages or on a call, and share the full list of meetings closer to the trip. When a visit is not public, hosts speak more freely about numbers and problems.
What participants get
During the trip
- An understanding of how China develops its cities, both at the strategy level and in a single district.
- Projects and experts: the Pengpu Xincun regeneration, the smart city, historic quarters.
- Debrief with Ivan Melnikov: what of this applies to you.
After the trip
- A contact list: profiles of Chinese companies and organisations, decision-makers’ positions, areas of interest.
- Meeting notes in Russian: main points, agreements, next steps.
- A 30/60/90-day roadmap: who to follow up with and on what, and how to approach pilot projects.
- Photo and video archive: professional footage for reports and presentations.
- Project support if needed: negotiations with the Chinese side and adapting solutions for Russia.
What the trip includes
PriceOn request“Standard” option4* hotels, 2nd-class trains. Group of up to 15, DBL/TWIN accommodation.The final price depends on the group size, dates and chosen level.Ask for the price
Included
- Accommodation in 4*/5* hotels (DBL/TWIN).
- Meals: breakfasts, lunches, dinners.
- Interpreter and guide.
- Entrance tickets and excursions.
- Transfers along the route and high-speed trains between cities.
- Photo and video coverage.
- Travel insurance.
- Support 24/7.
Not included
- International flights.
Why with ABH
Ivan Melnikov, head of the mission
Founder of ABH, 20+ years of living and doing business in China, speaks Chinese at native level. Built a 50,000 m² technopark near Shanghai with $30M+ of investment and has run more than 50 business missions. Works with large Forbes and Fortune 500 companies, comments as an expert in Chinese media (CCTV, Xinhua, China Daily), invited speaker at SPIEF and INNOPROM. On the trip he talks to Chinese experts directly, in Chinese, and explains to the group what conclusions to draw from what they see.
Our team in China
We work from Shanghai: we find companies, negotiate, organise visits and stay in touch with partners after the meetings.
A programme built around the group
We adjust the programme to the participants: we prepare questions in advance and think about who to stay in touch with after you return.
Support after the trip
We adapt Chinese solutions to Russian conditions, look for partners and see projects through to results.
FAQ
Which companies and institutes are in the programme?
We do not publish the names of the companies and institutes. We discuss them with participants one-on-one, in messages or on a call, and share the full list of meetings closer to the trip. You will meet architects, engineers, managers and representatives of the relevant agencies.
When is the trip?
In June 2027. Exact dates are agreed with the group.
Do I need a visa?
Russian citizens don’t: visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days has been extended to 31 December 2027, business trips included — a valid international passport is all you need. For other nationalities we’ll explain the visa process and prepare an invitation letter.
How do I pay for the trip?
Payment is made in Russia, in rubles, through our partner tour operator, by whatever method suits you. The ruble amount is calculated at the tour operator’s exchange rate on the day of payment.
What if I can’t travel?
We refund whatever has not yet been spent on arrangements such as hotels, transfers and tickets. The earlier you tell us, the more you get back — a month before departure, almost everything except non-refundable deposits. Exact terms are set out in the contract.
Is insurance included?
Yes, travel insurance for the duration of the trip is included.
How our business missions work
Sign up and ask questions
To sign up or learn more about the meetings, contact Maxim Vilkov, the project manager. To discuss whether the programme fits your city or company, talk to Ivan Melnikov directly.
Message Maxim on Telegram
WhatsApp+7 915 942 12 12Call+7 915 942 12 12
Emailconnect@asiabusinesshub.ruRequest formWe reply during working hoursYour contact is Maxim Vilkov, project manager. WeChat and MAX on the same number.