In this feature of our "Kanjian" series, we visit Meituan to explore the digital transformation of local lifestyle services.

"Kanjian," or "Insight," signifies an elevated perspective and a deeper understanding — a journey from the classroom to the corporate world, from theory to practice, from observation to participation. The International Student Office of Fudan University has launched the "Kanjian" corporate visit series to lead international students directly to the forefront of Chinese enterprises. Through these visits, students gain a feel for the pulse of the economy, engage with the waves of innovation, and glimpse the future through dialogue and firsthand experience.

On April 7, 2026, the office organized a visit to Meituan for over twenty international students from various countries. Through panel discussions and on-site tours, the students gained an in-depth look at Meituan's technological innovations in real-time delivery, smart dispatch systems, and local lifestyle service platforms. This immersive experience also gave them a firsthand understanding of Meituan's corporate mission — "to help people eat better and live better" — and its role in driving the growth of China's digital economy.

About Meituan

Meituan is a technology-driven retail company operating at the intersection of "retail + technology." Since its founding in 2010, the company has been dedicated to digitally transforming service and goods retail, connecting merchants with consumers, and partnering with businesses to create more convenient and higher-quality lifestyle services. On September 20, 2018, Meituan was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its development.

Exploring Digital Services

The visit began with a presentation from a Meituan campus recruitment manager, who walked students through the company's evolution, core strategy, and recent innovations in local lifestyle services. Students followed up with questions about Meituan's global footprint and internship opportunities for international students.

Afterwards, a tour of the exhibition area and office spaces gave students a closer look at how Meituan's technology powers real-world scenarios — from food delivery to logistics. They saw firsthand how smart dispatch systems and digital platforms work behind the scenes.

A major highlight was the live demonstration of Keeta, Meituan's drone delivery system. Staff explained how drones are programmed for route planning and smart dispatching — turning complex technology into a seamless delivery process. As a drone took off, flew, and landed with precision, students watched in amazement. Many even stepped up to touch the equipment and feel its weight, leaving with a much sharper understanding of this cutting-edge technology.

Overall, the visit gave students not only a clearer picture of Meituan's business ecosystem but also a tangible sense of the innovation driving China's digital economy and smart logistics industry.

Student Reflections

ERDEMZAYA PUREVSUREN (Mongolia)

Undergraduate, School of Data Science

"This visit to Meituan sparked many new thoughts for me. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to learn about the company's development across different sectors, its daily operations, and its mission. Seeing Meituan's journey gave me a direct sense of China's rapid progress in technology and digital services. I left feeling inspired — not just by Meituan, but by how many Chinese companies are actively expanding into global markets, creating diverse job opportunities along the way. This experience helped me better identify the skills I need to build and the areas I should focus on in my future studies. Thank you to Meituan for this valuable opportunity."

TING HUI NG (Malaysia)

Undergraduate, School of International Relations and Public Affairs

"I'm very grateful to Fudan for arranging this visit to Meituan for international students. Through this experience, we gained a much deeper understanding of the rapid and comprehensive development of China's lifestyle services and internet industries. We also saw firsthand the goals and achievements of Chinese companies as they advance their global expansion strategies. I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future to access relevant insights, and we are ready to contribute where we can."

KEVIN CHU (Brazil)

Undergraduate, School of Computing and AI Innovation

"The Meituan visit was highly rewarding. Walking through the exhibition hall gave me a close-up look at Meituan's tech innovation and operational efficiency. I also learned about the company's efforts in going global, particularly Keeta's expansion and investments in the Brazilian market. The face-to-face conversation with the campus recruitment manager deepened my understanding of how technology empowers local lifestyle services and gave me clearer direction for my future career path."

Source: Fudan University