China - Visit to Liu Yang or Bei Hai

I've been working in China quite a bit in the past few years, but have yet to get to see where most of the world's fireworks are born.

I've spent time in Wuhan, Chengdu, HK, SZ, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin...even DongYing (?). Never been to any of the real pyro manufacturing cities, and I want to change that on my next trip.

Ideally, I'd like to spend some time with a factory or two and possibly tour a facility. I know that manufacturing is seasonal, and I'm never sure when my next trips are going to happen, so I'm resigned to just seeing what I can when I can.

Does anyone here who has been to any of the factories have any pointers, ideas, maybe an introduction? I've got pretty good on-the-ground help in the form of some close friends who are locals (Mandarin most of them, although I do have some Cantonese-speaking friends. And one from Taiwan). Any of these friends would be with me full-time and act as translators / facilitators. Plus, they're a lot of fun and they all have experience in Chinese business practices and customs.

Most likely would be able to block out 3 or 4 days total. I'm wondering if the high speed train has made its way from Guangzhou to Changsha...it would seem like that's the way to get close. Then arrange local car / transport from there.

Thanks a lot guys.

I've been working in China quite a bit in the past few years, but have yet to get to see where most of the world's fireworks are born.

I've spent time in Wuhan, Chengdu, HK, SZ, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin...even DongYing (?). Never been to any of the real pyro manufacturing cities, and I want to change that on my next trip.

Ideally, I'd like to spend some time with a factory or two and possibly tour a facility. I know that manufacturing is seasonal, and I'm never sure when my next trips are going to happen, so I'm resigned to just seeing what I can when I can.

Does anyone here who has been to any of the factories have any pointers, ideas, maybe an introduction? I've got pretty good on-the-ground help in the form of some close friends who are locals (Mandarin most of them, although I do have some Cantonese-speaking friends. And one from Taiwan). Any of these friends would be with me full-time and act as translators / facilitators. Plus, they're a lot of fun and they all have experience in Chinese business practices and customs.

Most likely would be able to block out 3 or 4 days total. I'm wondering if the high speed train has made its way from Guangzhou to Changsha...it would seem like that's the way to get close. Then arrange local car / transport from there.

Thanks a lot guys.

I have no clue where those cities are (yes, I realize that 30 seconds on google would solve this mystery), but visiting factories in China is super easy. I just wouldn't want to waste their time if there was no possibility that I could help them sell their products (I decline 90% of them, but always go in with an open mind). There is (still) money to be made in fireworks because this is one of the few export industries that Wal Mart has yet to dominate. When I was a teenager, my family had a fireworks business in Huntsville, AL, which was pretty sweet. We bought our products from distributors in Knoxville, TN. Granted this was 20 years ago, but I'm quite certain that none of people there had ever visited China themselves.

While linkedin is more professional/legit, Alibaba is the best way to get in touch with suppliers. Contact them, do a bit of due diligence, and you're good to go. You will need to pay for your own airplane tickets and hotels, but they will treat you like a king in all other respects (airport pick up, fancy dinner, a picture with the CEO, and maybe even a KTV experience to boot).

Thanks moondog. I've already got a couple of "ins" through some friends with specific suppliers. Not sure if I can make both cities happen or if I really want to focus on one or the other.

Beihai seems to have the factories that I would have an easier time getting an introduction to, but there are fewer. And it seems that the government has set about shutting down some of the larger factories in Beihai out of "environmental" concerns.

Liuyang is probably a little easier to get to, has more factories, but none of the factories that I currently would be able to leverage connections with.

Plus, Beihai is a port city, and I always like being near the water.

As for the fancy dinner & all that...I'm pretty burned out on that stuff. I would prefer an evening demonstration of the product instead of a visit to a loud KTV or 888 booth again. I don't mind a little karaoke, but usually only with a select group of friends that I know well ;)