Bright and early in the morning after a simple breakfast, we got onto the tour bus to head to Wahaha Company for a factory visit and a mini-museum tour. Wahaha Company is a large-scale Chinese beverage company that has its products sold all over China and in some cases, more often than not, all over the world. As China's leading domestic beverage producer, a title that was given after only a mere 11 years, its drinks are sold everywhere, from street stalls to supermarkets. 

Before we made our visit to Wahaha Company's mini-museum and factory, we were asked to read an article about their achievements and business strategies from the beginning of their company to the time that article was written. However, after our visit to the mini-museum, we realised that Wahaha Company has made a ton of improvements over the years after the article was written. This comes as no surprise as the article was written in 2004, 11 long years before this very year, and with China's booming economic prosperity, businesses are bound to have improved. For example, while the article stated that Wahaha company has roughly 70 subsidiary companies all over China (as of 2004), a poster plastered on the wall at the mini-museum mentioned that it now has roughly 180 subsidiary companies all over China (as of 2015). 70 subsidiary companies to 180 of them - that is a huge difference. Wahaha company is certainly going in the right direction, with much more achievements than that just mentioned.

Out of all of Wahaha Company's uncountable achievements, there was that one achievement that stood out and left a great impact on me. Although it is not so much related to business, it is no doubt something pleasant to hear about. This achievement is of Wahaha Company receiving much recognition from both consumers and authorities for doing charity, for example, donating money to less well-off students. I personally feel that it is extremely heartwarming to know that such a big and successful company is involved in helping those not as fortunate. This is important in making a person remain down to earth and grounded, caring for others and not just themselves. Although it may seem like just a marketing strategy to bring the name of Wahaha Company up to some, we all have to agree that contributing to a good cause, whether in terms of time or money, is an act that deserves recognition. 

Though Wahaha Company's journey was seemingly just full of improvements, they actually faced many challenges. These challenges include: having a lack of funds and in turn, employees, creating products that did not go well with consumers, and having imitation products on the market. Despite these challenges, Wahaha Company rose up to the challenge and came up with solutions to get over them. As an example, to fix the problem of having a lack of funds and employees, Wahaha Company expanded itself by merging with Hangzhou canned food company. This resulted in them having more employees, making work more efficient and in turn, producing more products and gaining more profit. This profit contributed to the company's funds. Hence, this move of merger was undoubtedly a smart one. For this, Wahaha Company's founder, Zong Qinghui, has to be commended for his foresight. 

Besides the mini-museum visit, the factory visit was also most definitely informative, giving us the chance to watch first-hand how bottled drinks are processed and made. The machinery used in the factory were huge and they bottled each drink at lightning speed. This is possibly one of the big secrets of Wahaha Company as to how it became China's leading domestic beverage producer - using machines that could get work completed fast.

After our visit to Wahaha Company, we had lunch before a long 3.5 hour drive to Tunxi. There, we visited Chengkan Xie Yuda Tea Museum and Tea Plantation. On our first stop at the plantation, we were greeted by fields and fields of green tea leaves. Sure enough, besides some occasional rocks and trees, that was all there was. However, despite the place being rather simple, we gained insight on the ecological climatic characteristics of the tea areas and brainstormed on some of the threats associated with the development of tea crops. The factors of threats we brainstormed on include economic, a factor related to costs, social, one related to people, and environmental, which name says it all. With higher costs of living and a growing economy, China is sure to face a higher cost of employment and practically everything else that requires money. This will in turn lead to them unable to hire workers without providing a higher salary. With higher salary given to workers and more money spent on other requirements, the prices of tea leaves will be sure to go up, resulting in less potential buyers, affecting tea's cultural role in countries such as Russia. Tea plantation owners may also face environmental issues such as infertile soil. This, needless to say, will result in less tea leaves sold.

After our stop at the plantation, we visited the tea museum. There, we were brought around by a guide and introduced to the different types of tea and the people who discovered them. Thereafter, we were also brought inside a room with traditional furniture for a taste testing session of the different types of tea the museum sold. We were told about the different health benefits of the different types of tea, such as green tea being able to increase fat burning and chrysanthemum tea helping with the detoxification of the liver. The taste testing session also made me realise that even though tea is tea, there is a huge variety of them, and all of them are special in their own little way. At the end of the session, we were also given the opportunity to purchase some tea leaves home. Despite not buying anything back, I definitely had a new found appreciation for tea, in particular, Chinese tea. 

Next, we were supposed to visit Tunxi Ancient Street. However, due to the lack of time, we went straight for dinner and back to the hotel. This visit was pushed to the next day.

As a conclusion for this second day, I feel that I have definitely learned at least just as much, or maybe even more today than the first day despite the long travelling times. Learning about Wahaha Company's journey through its years in the business industry sparked an interest in me, inspiring me to always work hard, be creative and overcome challenges appropriately, even while helping others.