BYD Headquarters Shenzhen: Visiting the EV Giant

Inside BYD’s Global Headquarters in Pingshan

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BYD has gone from a small battery factory in Shenzhen to the world’s largest new energy vehicle manufacturer, overtaking Tesla in global sales. Their global headquarters in Pingshan District, Shenzhen is a sprawling 2.3 million square metre industrial campus that employs around 50,000 people. Since April 2024, BYD has opened parts of this campus to visitors through an industrial tourism programme, giving the public a rare look at the technology and production behind one of China’s most important companies.

The visit centres on two main experiences: the Ceremonial Building Exhibition Hall (礼宾楼展厅), a two-floor corporate museum that traces BYD’s evolution from its founding in 1995, and a ride on the SkyShuttle (云巴), BYD’s autonomous battery-powered elevated rail system that runs through the campus and surrounding district. For Hong Kong visitors interested in technology and manufacturing, it is one of the most impressive cross-border experiences available.

The Exhibition Hall: From Batteries to Blade Technology

The ground and first floors of the Ceremonial Building house what is essentially a BYD technology museum. The tour begins with the company’s history: BYD started as a rechargeable battery manufacturer and grew into a conglomerate spanning electric vehicles, energy storage, semiconductors, and rail transit. A wall stretching several dozen metres displays the company’s patent portfolio, centred around the slogan “Technology is King, Innovation is the Foundation” (技术为王, 创新为本).

The technology showcases are where the visit gets genuinely impressive. A full cutaway model of a BYD sedan reveals the internal structure in detail: the Blade Battery pack sitting flat under the floor, the powertrain layout, suspension geometry, and the premium interior materials. Nearby, a transparent car model demonstrates the BYD Intelligent Architecture (璇玑架构), showing how the DM-i hybrid platform and DM-p performance platform integrate their components.

Other standout displays include the e-Platform 3.0, BYD’s skateboard chassis for pure electric vehicles. The display strips the car down to its bare platform, exposing the Blade Battery, electric motors, and thermal management system. The DiLink Network-Linked Intelligent System demo lets visitors sit in a cockpit mockup surrounded by screens to experience BYD’s connected car features.

The exhibition also features BYD’s full vehicle lineup, from mass-market models to the premium Denza and Yangwang sub-brands. A striking model wall displays dozens of miniature vehicles against a dark backdrop, with a full-size concept SUV positioned in front. There are also concept cars on show, including a sleek red supercar that hints at BYD’s design ambitions.

The Factory Floor and Vehicle Showroom

For organised group visits, BYD offers access to parts of the production facility. Visitors can see robotic arms working on the assembly line, car bodies moving through automated stations, and powertrains being installed from overhead gantries. The level of automation is striking, with rows of machines working in precise coordination to assemble vehicles at scale.

The factory tour also extends to R&D facilities for select groups, including the crash test laboratory (with frontal, central, and outdoor collision zones), the EMC battery compatibility lab, and the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) testing centre. These are working facilities rather than showrooms, which gives the visit a sense of authenticity that a typical car dealership cannot match.

Back in the headquarters lobby, visitors can get up close with BYD’s premium vehicles. During recent visits, models on display have included the Fang Cheng Bao (方程豹) off-road SUV, a rugged, military-styled vehicle with a spare tyre mounted on the rear gate, and luxury sedans from the Yangwang range featuring rear-seat entertainment systems with individual screens, premium leather, and executive-class comfort.

The SkyShuttle: A Ride Anyone Can Take

Even if you cannot arrange a formal factory tour, the SkyShuttle (云巴) Line 1 is a public transit system that anyone can ride without booking. Developed entirely by BYD over seven years with an investment of over RMB 10 billion, the SkyShuttle is a fully autonomous, battery-powered elevated rail system that runs 8.51 kilometres through Pingshan with 11 stations.

The line runs from Pingshan High-Speed Railway Station to BYD North Station, passing through the government compound, key industrial parks, and the BYD campus itself. Trains run from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, departing every five minutes during peak hours and every ten minutes off-peak. A single journey takes about 20 minutes and costs just RMB 2 to 3. The trains are remarkably quiet and offer elevated views of the Pingshan district.

At BYD North Station, you are right at the edge of the BYD campus. The SkyShuttle also connects to the Natural History Museum West station, making it easy to combine a ride with a visit to the Shenzhen Natural History Museum if you want to make a full day trip out of the journey to Pingshan.

How to Visit BYD Headquarters from Hong Kong

There are two ways to visit, depending on whether you want the full factory experience or just the SkyShuttle and surrounding area.

Option 1: Organised Group Visit (Factory + Exhibition Hall)

The official industrial tourism programme only accepts bookings from schools and registered organisations, not individual tourists. To apply, follow the BYD WeChat public account and reply “比亚迪” for the booking portal. You will need to submit a formal request letter with your organisation’s official seal, book at least 10 days in advance, and groups are capped at 50 people. Responses come within three business days. The visit is free during the current trial period.

For Hong Kong visitors without an organisation to book through, third-party tour operators offer BYD factory packages (available on platforms like TripAdvisor and Klook) that handle the approval process. These typically require a minimum of 15 adults and include pickup from Hong Kong. BYD also occasionally runs open “Tech Exploration Days” for owners and fans, which are announced on their official WeChat channels.

Option 2: Independent Visit (SkyShuttle + Campus Exterior)

Anyone can ride the SkyShuttle to BYD North Station for a self-guided look at the campus from the outside. From Hong Kong, the most practical route is to take the MTR East Rail Line to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, cross into Shenzhen, then take Metro Line 14 towards Pingshan. Transfer to the SkyShuttle at Pingshan High-Speed Railway Station for the scenic ride to BYD North. The entire journey from the border takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

Pingshan is further from the border than the typical Futian or Nanshan destinations, so plan for a half-day trip at minimum. We recommend combining the SkyShuttle ride with a visit to the Shenzhen Natural History Museum (accessible from the Natural History Museum West station on the same line) to make the most of the journey.

For more Shenzhen experiences accessible from Hong Kong, check out our guides to Bambu Lab’s 3D Printing Flagship Store, Orbit One’s UFO Restaurant, and YES! Night Stall.

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