Beijing has opened a mammoth exhibition centre. The Capital International Exhibition and Convention Centre contains nine exhibition halls with a combined indoor space of 210,000sqm – a scale to rival the great German Messen.
The size becomes even more impressive, as the venue is adjacent to the older China International Exhibition Center. For shows that require vast amounts of space, the two venues will double up as one. Together, they span a total exhibition space of 310,000sqm. Only Germany’s Frankfurt and Deutsche Messe can claim larger show floors.
CIECC began operations in February with the China International Auto Service, Products and Equipment Exhibition. Nearly 6,000 exhibitors turned up to break in the venue, showcasing their products to 150,000 professional visitors.
Where is it located?
The new venue sits in Shunyi District, 2km (a 20-minute drive) from Beijing Capital International Airport. It’s connected to Line 15 of the Beijing Subway network. The facility includes a conference centre for 9,000 delegates, three reception halls and a 410-room hotel.
Seven major exhibitions ran in first half of 2025
Seven major exhibitions ran in the first half of 2025. Aside from China International Auto Service, the venue also hosted the China International Machine Tool Show in April – using both CIECC and the adjacent China International Exhibition Center. The event welcomed over 300,000 attendees.
Distinctive copper-coloured façade
CIECC was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects with Beijing Institute of Architectural Design. The building features a huge, looming copper-coloured façade with pleated surfaces. A central north-south axis connects the nine exhibition halls. The design separates movement of people, goods, and vehicles into three distinct routes.
Each exhibition hall covers approximately 23,000 sqm. There is a composite roof system that creates column-free spaces that can be adapted for different events.
Zaha Hadid Architects has previously designed other major venues including the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics. The firm is currently working on the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in China.
Sustainability qualities
The venue uses hybrid ventilation systems, rainwater collection, greywater recycling and photovoltaic panels for on-site energy generation. Smart building management systems monitor and reduce energy consumption across the facility.
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