The Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center is a vast, multi-level urban complex spanning 2600 meters north to south and 1000 meters east to west, elevated 14 meters above ground. Viewed from above, its design resembles a peacock spreading its feathers, symbolizing beauty and grandeur. The most striking feature—the exhibition hall situated on the peacock’s “screen”—is set to be unveiled at the China South Asia Expo, showcasing China’s opportunities and Yunnan’s unique charm to the world.
Massive Exhibition Complex
The exhibition center alone covers a staggering 1.17 million square meters. Combining the exhibition halls with supporting facilities, it ranks not only among the best in China but also stands as one of the top complexes in Asia.
The Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center is renowned for its grand scale and world-class standards. When the provincial party committee and government decided to build it, the vision was clear: to create a first-class facility domestically and a leader internationally—a masterpiece designed to last for generations. Cai Jiaming, Commander in Chief of the project and Vice President of Yunnan Urban Investment Group, emphasized this ambitious goal.
Every aspect of the center was developed with these objectives in mind. It houses 23 exhibition halls, including 13 pillarless and 10 pillared halls. Each indoor hall exceeds 10,000 square meters, cumulatively offering 300,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space and 12,000 standard booths. This alone places the center at the forefront of China’s exhibition industry.
Additionally, the facility features 100,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition space. Cai Jiaming highlighted that the center combines first-class domestic standards with international leadership. It also boasts 100,000 square meters of conference and banquet facilities, 108 VIP contact rooms, 200,000 square meters of commercial space, and 350,000 square meters of underground parking accommodating 10,000 vehicles. This integration of exhibition halls and support facilities distinguishes it as one of Asia’s premier complexes.
Key Venues and Facilities
For this year’s South China International Fair, Halls 6, 7, and 8 serve as key boutique exhibition spaces. These halls host a variety of activities including government affairs, business receptions, opening and closing ceremonies for large exhibitions, press conferences, banquets, cultural and technological exhibitions.
The center also includes 45 conference rooms of varying sizes, 1,620 square meters of multifunctional exhibition halls, and 12 banquet halls equipped with advanced international conferencing systems. These facilities ensure high-quality hardware and refined services tailored to diverse events.
Supporting Infrastructure
Achieving first-class status requires not just scale but also exceptional supporting facilities. Plans are underway to develop a 500,000-square-meter tourist town as a premium commercial support area for the complex, along with a 600,000-square-meter theme park and the largest hotel cluster in Southwest China. The hotel offerings include a 5-star hotel with approximately 1,500 rooms and additional accommodations for about 5,000 guests.
Cai Jiaming explained that Yunnan Urban Investment Group established a dedicated exhibition hall operation company. Nearly 400 exhibition service management personnel received extensive training with renowned service providers to elevate the quality of exhibition services.
Permanent Venue for the South China International Fair
Externally, the center serves as a hub for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges with South and Southeast Asia. Internally, it facilitates Yunnan’s integration with major Chinese economic regions including the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone, and strengthens ties with the Bohai Rim Economic Circle.
Designated by the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Government as a key international business platform, the center supports China’s outreach to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean market. This aligns with national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative. The China South Asia Expo is permanently hosted here, contributing to regional development and cooperation.
Geographically, Yunnan is uniquely positioned just a few hundred kilometers from the Pacific Ocean to the east and Myanmar to the west across the Indian Ocean. As a gateway connecting East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, it lies at the crossroads of the Third Eurasian Continental Bridge. Driven by national policies encouraging border openness, Yunnan’s geographic advantages are rapidly being realized.
Yuan Zaiqing, President of the China Exhibition Economy Research Association, noted that the center will play a pivotal role in fostering economic, trade, and cultural exchanges with South and Southeast Asia. It will also accelerate Yunnan’s integration into major economic circles within China, leveraging its strategic location as a transit hub.
A representative from Sichuan Province’s Department of Commerce emphasized that while Kunming has natural exhibition advantages, strong infrastructure is essential. The Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center significantly improves Kunming’s exhibition infrastructure, boosting the city’s internationalization.
Kunming already benefits from nearly 50 hotels and professional conference centers rated four stars or above, capable of hosting sizable events. Kunming Changshui International Airport offers over 300 domestic and international routes. Additionally, Yunnan’s road and rail transportation systems provide robust connectivity, supporting the rapid development of its modern exhibition economy.
Overcoming Challenges to Build a Landmark
Nearly 40 organizations collaborated on the project, with a peak construction workforce of 16,000, over 500 large machines, and more than 400 vehicles transporting building materials daily.
The idea for the center originated in 2012, coinciding with the permanent relocation of the China South Asia Expo to Kunming. This initiative aimed to better integrate Yunnan into national development strategies and elevate its international engagement. The project envisioned a first-class, internationally leading exhibition complex integrating exhibition, tourism, leisure, vacation, and commerce.
In August 2012, the provincial government formally approved the project. Yunnan Urban Investment Group, a state-owned enterprise known for its progressiveness and innovation, was entrusted with investment and construction.
Though relatively young, Yunnan Urban Investment Group had already demonstrated strong project management capabilities through successful completion of major projects such as Haigeng Hall and Haigeng Garden, as well as work in Chenggong University City. The provincial authorities valued the group’s responsibility and achievements in urban development, finance, and industry upgrades.
Cai Jiaming recalled that immediately after government approval, key engineering personnel were dispatched to the site, which comprised over 500 acres of land with a massive construction plan. Addressing the substantial construction and funding challenges required close coordination and dedication among all parties involved.
Construction details highlight the project’s scale: daily earthwork transport involved 500 vehicles, while 11,000 cubic meters of concrete and 800 tons of steel were used every day. The daily investment reached 20 million yuan, and at peak periods, 16,000 workers were on site. In 2014 alone, nearly 40 entities contributed, with an average of over 7,000 workers daily, more than 500 large machines in operation, and over 400 transport vehicles active. Foundation work involved driving over 30,000 piles totaling more than 1,000 kilometers in length.
To host this year’s South China International Fair on schedule, Yunnan Urban Investment Group and construction teams worked overtime while maintaining strict quality control. Even during the Lunar New Year, over 1,500 workers sacrificed holidays to keep progress on track. Since construction began in late 2012, more than 70 top experts in architecture, structural engineering, electromechanics, steel structures, lighting, and smart technologies have provided ongoing consultation and support.
Advanced management tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual construction, online inquiry and procurement platforms, and node-based project management have accelerated progress. Cai Jiaming explained that using the node method allowed the team to set clear rules, goals, and processes, resulting in improved management and outcomes.
Today, the 14-meter elevated platform hosts banks, restaurants, supermarkets, and other businesses, all already operational with strong daily performance. A McDonald’s dessert station staff member expressed optimism about the exhibition center’s future as a modern international business district.
Operational Excellence and Service Quality
The operating company, Yunnan Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center Operation and Management Co., Ltd., emphasized that to ensure top-quality service during the South China International Fair, they sent numerous staff members for professional training nationwide. This preparation guarantees first-class exhibition services for the center’s inaugural major event.
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