The world's largest comprehensive fair for trade in services — at Beijing's iconic Shougang Park industrial heritage venue
Plan Your China Trip →September 9–11: Professional Visitor Days. Access restricted to registered trade professionals, government officials, and business delegates. This is when serious B2B matchmaking, deal signings, and high-level forums happen.
September 12–13: Public Open Days. Open to all visitors — cultural performances, sports events, consumer experiences, and tech demos. Perfect for tourists and general visitors.
Register early at www.ciftis.org for professional visitor badges. Public day tickets available online closer to the event.
Country of Honor: Norway — green energy, digital tech, health & home living. Province of Honor: Guangxi — digital services, cross-border e-commerce, TCM cultural tourism.
What Is CIFTIS?
The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is the world's first and largest comprehensive fair dedicated to trade in services — not goods, but the intangible economy: finance, telecommunications, education, healthcare, cultural tourism, sports, engineering, logistics, intellectual property, and environmental services. Co-hosted by Beijing Municipal Government and China's Ministry of Commerce, with WTO, UNCTAD, and OECD as supporting institutions, CIFTIS has attracted 1.95 million participants from 195 countries since its founding in 2012.
Since 2025, CIFTIS has a permanent home at Shougang Park — a 2.8 km² former steel mill transformed into a stunning "convention town" that blends industrial heritage with cutting-edge architecture. The Big Air Shougang ski jump (2022 Winter Olympics landmark), cooling towers, and blast furnaces create a backdrop unlike any trade fair venue on Earth.
9 Specialized Exhibition Zones
1. Telecommunications, Computer & Information Services
AI, cloud computing, 5G, cybersecurity, digital trade. China Mobile, Tencent, Hong Kong Telecom exhibit. 2026 debut: "Going Global" service zone — legal, tax, IP advice for Chinese companies expanding overseas.
2. Financial Services
Banking, insurance, fintech, green finance, cross-border payments. Bank of China, HSBC, Standard Chartered exhibit. Forums on exchange rate risk management and RMB internationalization.
3. Culture & Tourism Services
Travel platforms, heritage tourism, digital culture, immersive experiences. This zone directly connects to hellochinatrip.com's domain — cultural tourism services are a core CIFTIS theme.
4. Education Services
International schools, online education, vocational training, study abroad. Top Chinese and international universities showcase programs and partnerships.
5. Sports Services
Sports tech, fitness platforms, event management, Winter Olympics legacy. Set against Shougang Park's own Big Air ski jump — the world's only trade fair venue with an Olympic competition site inside it.
6. Transport & Business Services
Logistics, supply chain, consulting, legal, accounting, advertising. COSCO Shipping, DHL, Deloitte, KPMG exhibit. 2026 adds "Going Global" dedicated sub-zone.
7. Engineering Consulting & Construction Services
Smart construction, green building, urban planning, infrastructure. Major Chinese and international engineering firms showcase overseas project capabilities.
8. Health Services
Medical tourism, telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, senior care, TCM. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Healthineers exhibit. Guangxi's TCM inbound consumption pilot is a 2026 highlight.
9. Environment & Energy Services
Carbon trading, green energy, waste management, ESG consulting. Norway as Country of Honor leads this zone with green energy showcases.
Registration & Visa Guide
Professional Visitor Badge (Sep 9–11)
- Register at www.ciftis.org → Visitor Registration
- Fill in organization name, personnel details, and industry sector
- Information review → badge production → badge delivery
- Badge can be delivered by mail (mainland China) or collected on-site at Shougang Park
- Previous attendees may use "one-click re-registration" via email link
- Free for professional visitors — no badge fee for trade professionals
Visa Options for Foreign Visitors
- M-visa (Business): Use CIFTIS invitation letter. Apply at Chinese embassy. 3–5 business day processing
- F-visa (Non-commercial exchange): For academic, cultural, and scientific exchange visitors
- 240-hour Transit Visa Exemption: 54+ eligible countries. Enter via Beijing ports, stay up to 10 days. Perfect for short CIFTIS visits
- Port Visa: Emergency business entry at Beijing Capital/Daxing airports with invitation letter
- Hong Kong/Macau SAR entry permits: No visa needed for HK/Macau residents
- Apply invitation letter through CIFTIS registration dashboard after completing sign-up
Getting to Shougang Park — Transportation Guide
| Method | Route | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 6 | Jin'anqiao Station → Exit K → walk 1.2km | ~15 min walk | ¥4–7 | North Login Hall entrance. Shuttle bus also available from station (~3.1km, 10 min ride) |
| Metro Line 11 | Xinshougang Station → Exit B/C → walk to Hall 1 | ~8 min walk | ¥4–5 | New line opened 2025. Closest station to Hall 1. Direct from city center |
| Capital Airport → Taxi | Beijing Capital → Shougang Park | ~90 min | ¥180–250 | Heavy traffic expected during CIFTIS. Metro preferred |
| Daxing Airport → Taxi | Daxing Airport → Shougang Park | ~70 min | ¥200–300 | Daxing Express Railway to city + Metro transfer recommended |
| Shuttle Bus | National Convention Center ↔ Shougang Park | ~30 min | Free | P0 parking lot shuttle. Runs during CIFTIS event days |
| Bus Routes | 337/941/959/325/370 etc. | Varies | ¥2 | Multiple stops near Shougang Park entrances (North/South/West) |
★ Pro tip: Metro Line 11 (Xinshougang Station) is the newest and closest route to Hall 1 — opened in 2025 specifically to serve CIFTIS. During CIFTIS days, expect crowded trains between 8–9 AM. Arrive at Jin'anqiao by 7:30 AM for comfortable travel. Beijing Metro now accepts international bank cards for tap-and-ride at most major stations.
Where to Stay — Shougang Park & Nearby Hotels
✓ Inside Shougang Park — Immersive
- Shangri-La Shougang Park — Former power plant → luxury hotel. Industrial heritage meets modernist design. 2022 Olympic official hotel. ¥800–1,500/night
- Holiday Inn Express Shijingshan Lakeview — Inside Shougang Park, near National Winter Sport Training Center. ¥400–600/night
- Holiday Inn Express Shijingshan Parkview — Inside park, self-service business center. ¥400–600/night
- Shougang Gongshe Boutique Hotel — Industrial design + modern comfort. ¥300–500/night
- Walk 5–10 min to exhibition halls — no morning commute needed
- Stay inside a UNESCO-level industrial heritage site — an experience in itself
★ Downtown Beijing — Tourism + Business
- Wangfujing / Dongcheng — 45 min metro. Walk to Forbidden City, Tiananmen, hutongs. ¥600–2,000/night international 5-star
- Sanlitun / Chaoyang — 40 min metro. Embassy district, nightlife, international restaurants. ¥500–1,500/night
- Xidan / Financial Street — 35 min metro. Close to Line 6 start point. ¥400–1,000/night
- Gucheng / Pingguoyuan — 10 min metro. Closest budget area to Shougang Park. ¥200–400/night
- Best for combining CIFTIS business with Beijing cultural tourism
- Book by August 1 — Beijing hotels fill 4–6 weeks before CIFTIS
★ Instant Tax Refund at Shougang Park
Chang'an Mills (六工汇) — the 224,000 m² commercial zone inside Shougang Park — offers instant tax refund for overseas tourists. No need to wait until departure. Buy eligible products → receive cash refund on-site from staff. This is a Beijing pilot policy that makes shopping inside Shougang Park uniquely convenient for international visitors.
Shougang Park — The World's Most Unique Trade Fair Venue
Shougang Park is not just a convention center — it's a 2.8 km² industrial heritage wonderland. Founded in 1919 as China's first modern steel mill, it was decommissioned in 2010 and reborn as Beijing's most striking cultural-commercial district. For CIFTIS, three halls are upgraded for 2026, creating a permanent "convention town" that merges exhibition space with industrial architecture.
| Feature | What You'll See | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Big Air Shougang | 60m ski jump with neon-lit cooling towers | 2022 Winter Olympics venue — world's only trade fair with an Olympic site |
| Blast Furnaces | 3 restored furnaces with observation decks | Industrial-chic Instagram backdrop. Furnace 3 has a glass-floor skywalk |
| Chang'an Mills (六工汇) | 224,000 m² — 23 buildings, dining, shopping, sports | One-stop micro-getaway inside the park. Instant tax refund for foreigners |
| Qunming Lake | Central lake with nighttime light shows | Evening strolls between exhibition sessions |
| Industrial Starbucks | Coffee shop inside former steel mill building | Beijing's most Instagrammed coffee shop — raw steel beams + latte art |
| 3 Login Halls | South, Northwest, North entrances | 3 access points prevent bottlenecking. North = closest to Metro Line 6 |
CIFTIS vs Canton Fair vs CIIE — Three Great China Expos
| Feature | CIFTIS (Beijing, Sep) | Canton Fair (Guangzhou, Apr/Oct) | CIIE (Shanghai, Nov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Trade in SERVICES | Exports FROM China (goods) | Imports INTO China (goods) |
| Key Sectors | Finance, telecom, education, health, culture, sports | Manufacturing, consumer goods, electronics, textiles | Food, auto, tech equipment, medical, consumer goods |
| Exhibitors | 1,950+ (services firms) | 30,000+ (manufacturers) | 4,108 (overseas brands) |
| Duration | 5 days, single session | 15 days, 3 phases | 6 days, single session |
| Venue | Shougang Park (industrial heritage) | Pazhou Complex (modern) | NECC "Four-Leaf Clover" |
| Best For | Service providers, tech firms, B2B partnerships | Product sourcing, OEM, wholesale | Market entry, brand launches, B2C |
| Tourism Value | Beijing — Forbidden City, hutongs, Great Wall | Guangzhou — dim sum, Pearl River | Shanghai — Bund, Michelin dining |
| Registration | Free for professionals | Free buyer badge | ¥200/¥100 per badge |
Beijing Beyond the Expo — Top Tourism Experiences
| Experience | Time Needed | Distance from Shougang | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City & Tiananmen | 3–4 hours | 45 min metro | World's largest palace complex. 720,000 m², 980 buildings, 600 years of imperial history |
| Temple of Heaven | 1–2 hours | 50 min metro | Ming Dynasty sacrificial temple. Park with morning tai chi practitioners — authentic Beijing life |
| Great Wall (Badaling/Mutianyu) | 4–6 hours | 90 min drive | UNESCO wonder. Mutianyu less crowded, better preserved. Cable car + toboggan slide option |
| Hutong Walking Tour | 2–3 hours | 40 min metro | 600-year alley neighborhoods. Courtyard homes, local snacks, rickshaw rides. Nanluoguxiang most famous |
| Summer Palace | 2–3 hours | 50 min metro | Qing Dynasty royal garden. Kunming Lake, Long Corridor, Marble Boat |
| Sanlitun Bar Street | Evening | 40 min metro | Beijing's international nightlife hub. Craft beer, live music, rooftop bars |
| Peking Duck Dinner | 1–2 hours | Various | Beijing's signature dish. Quanjude (150+ years) or Siji Minfu (local favorite). Reserve 2 days ahead |
| Shougang Park Night Walk | 1 hour | 0 min — you're here | Neon-lit cooling towers, Qunming Lake reflections, industrial-chic atmosphere. Best after 7 PM |
Daily Schedule Template — 5 Days at CIFTIS + Beijing
| Day | Morning (8–12) | Afternoon (12–17) | Evening (17–22) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9: Opening | Badge pickup + Global Services Summit (Hall 1) | Telecom & Finance zones — B2B matchmaking | Shougang Park night walk + Chang'an Mills dinner |
| Sep 10: Core Business | Transport & Business Services — "Going Global" zone | Health & Education zones — forums & demos | Peking Duck dinner + hutong walk |
| Sep 11: Deep Dive | Environment & Energy + Norway Country of Honor pavilion | Matchmaking meetings +成果发布 sessions | Sanlitun bar street — international networking |
| Sep 12: Public Day | Culture & Tourism zone — immersive experiences | Sports zone + Big Air Shougang tour | Forbidden City sunset (open till 8 PM in Sep) |
| Sep 13: Tourism | Great Wall (Mutianyu) — morning departure 6:30 AM | Return by 3 PM → Summer Palace | Temple of Heaven evening + farewell dinner |
Payment & Essential Apps
Payment at CIFTIS & Beijing
- Alipay + WeChat Pay: Bind foreign Visa/Mastercard. Covers 90%+ merchants
- International credit cards: Visa/Mastercard at hotels, major restaurants, Chang'an Mills shops
- Cash (RMB): ¥500–1,000 recommended for taxis, small vendors, street food
- Instant tax refund: Chang'an Mills (六工汇) inside Shougang Park — on-site cash refund
- Beijing Metro tap-and-ride: International bank cards accepted at most major stations
- UnionPay QR: For domestic food court payments
Must-Install Apps Before Arrival
- CIFTIS Official App / Mini-program: Registration, hall navigation, exhibitor search, matchmaking platform
- Alipay: Payment + Beijing Metro transit card. Bind foreign card before arrival
- WeChat: CIFTIS mini-program, hotel services, restaurant reservations
- Baidu Maps: Indoor Shougang Park navigation, real-time transit. (Google Maps inaccurate in China)
- Didi (English version): Ride-hailing with English interface. Essential for Great Wall trips
- 12306.cn (Rail): High-speed rail tickets for Beijing extensions (Tianjin 30 min, Xi'an 4.5 hrs)
2026 CIFTIS Special Features
★ First-Ever "Going Global" Zone
A dedicated zone across 4 exhibition areas (Telecom, Transport, Education, Sports) showcasing Chinese service companies expanding overseas. On-site professionals offer:
- Cross-border legal advice — international law firms providing real-time consultation
- Tax & accounting guidance — Big 4 firms on-site for overseas tax structure planning
- IP protection strategies — WIPO representatives and Chinese IP attorneys available
- "Country Service Windows" — foreign embassies and overseas business associations offering market entry advice
- Going Global Roadshow Stage — daily pitch presentations by service providers
★ Norway — Country of Honor
Norway's national pavilion showcases its strongest service sectors:
- Green energy — offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture technology
- Digital technology — maritime tech, Arctic research data, smart city platforms
- Health & home living — Nordic wellness concepts, sustainable home design
- High-end nutrition — Arctic seafood, omega-3 supplements, sustainable aquaculture
- Norwegian Minister of Trade scheduled to attend the Global Services Summit on Sep 9
Packing Checklist for CIFTIS
- Passport — required for badge pickup, hotel check-in, metro station security
- CIFTIS badge / confirmation — printed backup. Badge delivery by mail or on-site collection
- 150–200 business cards — bilingual (English + Chinese) dramatically increases response rates
- Comfortable shoes — Shougang Park is 2.8 km². Expect 4–6 km of walking daily
- Power bank — CIFTIS app, Baidu Maps, Alipay all drain battery quickly
- Alipay + WeChat — set up and bind foreign card before arrival in Beijing
- ¥500–1,000 cash (RMB) — for taxis, street food, small vendors
- Light layers — September Beijing: 15–28°C, dry, sunny. Bring light jacket for evenings
- VPN app — Google, Gmail, WhatsApp blocked in China. Install and test before arrival
- Hotel address in Chinese — screenshot for taxi drivers. Most don't speak English
- Great Wall booking — reserve Mutianyu tickets + transport 1 week ahead via Didi or tour platform
- Michelin restaurant reservations — Beijing has 100+ Michelin-listed venues. Book by August 15 for CIFTIS week
10 Practical Tips from CIFTIS Veterans
- Register by August 1 — early registrants get priority matchmaking, earlier badge delivery, and access to the Online Matchmaking Platform for pre-event research
- Use Metro Line 11 (Xinshougang) — opened 2025 specifically for CIFTIS. Closest station to Hall 1. Avoid Line 6 Jin'anqiao during 8–9 AM peak
- Attend the Global Services Summit on Sep 9 morning — heads of state, WTO, UNCTAD, WIPO leaders speak. This is the highest-level forum at any China trade fair
- Visit Norway's Country of Honor pavilion first — green energy demos, Arctic data platforms, and Nordic wellness concepts are unique to 2026 CIFTIS
- Explore the "Going Global" roadshow zone — free on-site legal, tax, and IP consultations from Big 4 firms. Unusual value at a trade fair
- Eat at Chang'an Mills (六工汇) — 23 buildings of dining options inside Shougang Park. Peking duck, izakaya, craft beer, Shougang nostalgia soda. Instant tax refund available
- Stay inside Shougang Park if possible — Shangri-La inside a former power plant is a once-in-a-lifetime hotel experience. 5-min walk to halls, zero commute stress
- Walk Shougang Park after 7 PM — cooling towers lit with neon, Qunming Lake reflections, blast furnace skywalk. The venue becomes an art installation at night
- Book Peking Duck 2 days ahead — Quanjude and Siji Minfu are fully booked during CIFTIS. Try Da Dong for modern Peking Duck with wine pairing
- Take the CIFTIS business tour routes — 10 organized inspection lines for delegates, visiting Beijing tech hubs, cultural districts, and industrial parks. Sign up through CIFTIS platform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CIFTIS and why should I attend?
CIFTIS is the world's largest comprehensive fair for trade in services, held annually in Beijing since 2012. It covers 9 sectors including finance, telecom, education, health, culture, sports, transport, engineering, and environment. If you're in any service industry — from fintech to cultural tourism — CIFTIS is the premier platform for entering the Chinese market and connecting with 1,950+ service firms from 85 countries.
When is the 2026 CIFTIS?
September 9–13, 2026, at Shougang Park in Beijing. The first three days (Sep 9–11) are Professional Visitor Days restricted to registered trade professionals. The last two days (Sep 12–13) are Public Open Days accessible to all visitors.
How do foreign visitors register for CIFTIS?
Register online at www.ciftis.org → Visitor Registration. Fill in your organization and personnel details. Professional visitor badges are free. Previous attendees can use the "one-click re-registration" link. Badge delivery by mail (mainland China addresses) or on-site collection at Shougang Park.
How do I get a visa for CIFTIS?
Three options: (1) M-visa using CIFTIS invitation letter from your registration dashboard; (2) 240-hour transit visa exemption for 54+ eligible countries — enter via Beijing ports, stay up to 10 days; (3) F-visa for academic/cultural exchange visitors. The invitation letter is available immediately after completing CIFTIS registration.
How do I get to Shougang Park from Beijing airports?
Capital Airport: Metro Airport Express → transfer to Line 2 → Line 6 to Jin'anqiao (Exit K, 15-min walk), or taxi (~90 min, ¥180–250). Daxing Airport: Daxing Express Railway → Metro transfer to Line 11 Xinshougang Station (closest), or taxi (~70 min, ¥200–300). Metro Line 11 opened 2025 specifically to serve CIFTIS.
What makes Shougang Park unique as a trade fair venue?
Shougang Park is a 2.8 km² former steel mill (founded 1919) transformed into Beijing's most striking cultural-commercial district. It contains the 2022 Winter Olympics Big Air ski jump, restored blast furnaces with glass-floor skywalks, a 224,000 m² commercial zone (Chang'an Mills) with instant tax refund for foreigners, and an industrial-chic Starbucks inside a former steel mill building. No other trade fair venue on Earth combines industrial heritage with modern convention facilities.
What is the difference between CIFTIS, Canton Fair, and CIIE?
CIFTIS (Beijing, Sep) focuses on trade in SERVICES — finance, telecom, education, health, culture, sports. Canton Fair (Guangzhou, Apr/Oct) focuses on exports of GOODS from Chinese factories. CIIE (Shanghai, Nov) focuses on imports of GOODS into China. If you're a service provider, CIFTIS is your expo. If you source manufactured products, Canton Fair. If you sell consumer products to China, CIIE.
Is September a good time to visit Beijing?
September is Beijing's best month — 15–28°C, dry air, clear skies (the famous "Beijing Autumn" or 金秋). Low humidity, minimal rain, and golden foliage starting by late September. It's peak tourism season, so book hotels and restaurant reservations 4–6 weeks ahead. The Forbidden City is open till 8 PM in September — perfect for after-expo visits.
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