The Qian family's blog

Dongguan

Mike Chian — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:53:56 GMT

And from our window, the entire view is visible.

This time we stayed in a high-rise hotel on the 20th floor.

Overall, an excellent view of the city...

By the way, there's cheese for breakfast, 🧀 very European style.

But we prefer noodles and dim sum...

And we won't refuse French toast with coffee

Food in Dongguan

Mike Chian — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:56:25 GMT

And once again we're talking about food. This time we arrived at a factory in Dongguan and went in to have lunch.

The picture before you shows a dish of sea cucumber, leek, and beef. It's considered quite traditional for this region. And although its taste is quite unusual, I still recommend trying it.

Pilaf, pilaf, pilaf

Mike Chian — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:54:57 GMT

My friend Kai and I went to the Green Bazaar and decided to eat pilaf.

As always, it is magnificent in this place. I recommend.

Burgers

Mike Chian — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:08:16 GMT

I'm continuing my story about my short trip around Almaty. Today I really wanted a burger. I decided to stop by a place called "Smug". It had great reviews, and I can only agree. The sauce is very interesting, and the burgers are generally signature. What's a burger without beer? The selection is pretty limited, though. Considering that finding a tasty burger has become surprisingly difficult lately. How about serving in a shovel? It's quite convenient because it catches all the sauce.

I'm very pleased with my dinner.

The Majestic Mountains of Almaty: Where Nature Meets the City

Mike Chian — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:53:35 GMT

Living in Almaty means waking up to one of the most breathtaking skylines in Central Asia. The Tien Shan mountains form a dramatic backdrop to our city, their snow-covered peaks visible from almost every street corner on a clear day.

A City at the Foot of Giants

Almaty sits at an elevation of around 800 meters, nestled in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau range. Within a 30-minute drive, you can find yourself at 2,500 meters surrounded by alpine meadows, crystal-clear streams, and ancient forests of the Tien Shan spruce.

The iconic Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort are just a cable car ride away from the city center. In winter, the slopes come alive with skiers and snowboarders. In summer, the same trails transform into hiking paradises with wildflower meadows stretching as far as the eye can see.

Big Almaty Lake

Perhaps the crown jewel of Almaty’s natural attractions is Big Almaty Lake, a stunning alpine reservoir at 2,511 meters above sea level. The water changes color with the seasons — from deep turquoise in summer to icy silver in winter. Surrounded by mountain peaks reaching over 4,000 meters, it feels like stepping into another world entirely.

Green Spaces in the Heart of the City

Back in the city, Almaty lives up to its old name — the City of Apples. Tree-lined boulevards, sprawling parks like Central Park and the Botanical Garden, and countless hidden courtyards create a green oasis even in the urban core. Spring brings an explosion of apple blossoms that fills the air with a sweet fragrance.

Productronica 2025: Insights from the World's Leading Electronics Manufacturing Exhibition

Mike Chian — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:52:47 GMT

Earlier this year, our team had the privilege of attending Productronica 2025 in Munich, Germany — the world’s leading trade fair for electronics development and manufacturing. Held at the iconic Messe München exhibition center, this biennial event brought together over 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries, showcasing the future of electronics production.

The Heart of Global Electronics Manufacturing

Productronica is not just another trade show — it is the definitive meeting point for the entire electronics manufacturing value chain. From semiconductor production to PCB assembly, from cable processing to quality control, every aspect of the industry was represented across multiple exhibition halls.

Walking through the vast halls of Messe München, we encountered innovations that are set to reshape how electronic devices are built. The focus this year was squarely on smart manufacturing, sustainability, and miniaturization.

Key Trends We Observed

AI-driven quality inspection — multiple exhibitors demonstrated machine learning systems capable of detecting microscopic defects in real-time, dramatically reducing waste and improving yield rates.

Sustainable manufacturing solutions — from lead-free soldering innovations to energy-efficient reflow ovens, the industry is making significant strides toward greener production processes.

Advanced automation and robotics — collaborative robots working alongside human operators are becoming the standard in modern SMT lines, increasing throughput while maintaining flexibility.

What This Means for Our Business

Attending Productronica reinforced our commitment to staying at the forefront of PCB manufacturing technology. The connections we made and the knowledge we gained will directly influence our equipment sourcing decisions and quality improvement initiatives in the coming year.

Munich itself was a wonderful host city — the blend of Bavarian tradition and cutting-edge technology created an inspiring atmosphere for innovation and collaboration.

We look forward to sharing more updates from our journey in electronics manufacturing.

Exploring the World of PCB Manufacturing: Our Visit to the Equipment Exhibition

Mike Chian — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:03:46 GMT

This March, our team had the exciting opportunity to attend one of the leading PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing equipment exhibitions. The event brought together dozens of manufacturers and suppliers from across Asia, showcasing the latest innovations in circuit board production technology.

A Glimpse into Modern PCB Production

Walking through the exhibition halls, we were amazed by the sheer scale of innovation on display. From high-precision drilling machines to advanced automated optical inspection (AOI) systems, the technology behind every electronic device we use daily was laid out before us.

The exhibition featured cutting-edge equipment for every stage of PCB manufacturing — from lamination presses and exposure machines to etching lines and surface finishing systems. Each booth demonstrated how modern automation is transforming what was once a purely manual craft into a highly precise, computer-controlled process.

Key Highlights

High-speed laser drilling systems capable of creating microvias with incredible accuracy — essential for today's compact multilayer boards.

Fully automated SMT (Surface Mount Technology) lines that can place thousands of components per hour with remarkable precision.

Advanced quality control stations using AI-powered inspection to detect defects invisible to the human eye.

Why This Matters

Printed circuit boards are the backbone of modern electronics. Every smartphone, computer, medical device, and electric vehicle relies on PCBs. Understanding the manufacturing process and staying current with the latest equipment helps us better serve our clients and ensure the highest quality standards.

We came away from the exhibition inspired by the rapid pace of innovation in this industry. The future of electronics manufacturing is smarter, faster, and more precise than ever before.

Stay tuned for more insights from the Qian family's journey through technology and business.

Flavors of Almaty: A Culinary Journey Through Kazakhstan’s Cultural Capital

Mike Chian — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 19:53:00 GMT

Almaty is a city where East meets West on every plate. As the cultural capital of Kazakhstan, it has become a melting pot of culinary traditions — Kazakh, Uzbek, Korean, Uyghur, Russian, and increasingly, international cuisine all coexist in a vibrant food scene.

Traditional Kazakh Table

No exploration of Almaty’s food culture is complete without experiencing a traditional dastarkhan — the Kazakh feast table. Beshbarmak, the national dish of boiled meat over handmade noodles, remains the centerpiece of family gatherings. Kumys (fermented mare’s milk) and shubat (fermented camel’s milk) are traditional beverages that visitors either love instantly or learn to appreciate over time.

The Green Bazaar Experience

The legendary Green Bazaar is the beating heart of Almaty’s food culture. Under one roof, you’ll find mountains of dried fruits and nuts from across Central Asia, freshly baked tandoor bread, aromatic spices, local honey, and an incredible variety of dairy products. It’s a feast for all the senses and a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand the city’s culinary soul.

Modern Almaty Dining

In recent years, Almaty has seen an explosion of contemporary restaurants and cafes. The Dostyk Avenue area and the trendy Esentai district are home to everything from artisan coffee roasters to high-end steakhouses. Local chefs are increasingly experimenting with Kazakh ingredients in modern presentations, creating a unique new Kazakh cuisine movement.

Whether it’s a quiet family dinner or an adventurous evening exploring the city’s food markets, Almaty never fails to surprise and delight our taste buds.