Event at a glance
ChinaJoy runs four days, our exhibition runs three
This is the most common point of confusion for first time visitors, so it is worth spelling out clearly before anything else.
BTOB or BTOC, know the difference
ChinaJoy is really two events under one roof, and the right one depends on why you are travelling to Shanghai.
BTOB Business Zone
For advertisers, agencies, ad tech and publishers.
- Business meetings and partnership discussions
- Register your BTOB pass in advance, most passes require this
- Bring company name, job title, email and mobile number
- A physical or digital business card helps a lot
BTOC Consumer Zone
For gamers, esports fans, cosplay and consumer brands.
- Game demos, esports and cosplay showcases
- Good for a feel of the market and consumer excitement
- A separate ticket from BTOB, one does not include the other
- Crowds are heavy, go outside peak hours if possible
Sort out the right pass early
Start with your purpose. General visitors, fans and content creators should look for BTOC visitor ticket information. If you are attending for business meetings, advertising, publishing, monetisation or investment conversations, look for a BTOB trade visitor pass instead. Registration is typically handled through Huodongxing, a widely used Chinese event ticketing platform, alongside official ChinaJoy channels. Some pages may only show a Chinese interface, so keep a translation app handy.
Before you register, have the following ready: company name, job title, email address, mobile number, a WeChat ID if you already have one, and payment details. Once registered, save your confirmation email, QR code and order number as screenshots, since venue entrances can have patchy mobile signal.
Set up these apps ahead of time
Several everyday tools in China need account setup, verification or card linking that is far easier to do at home than at the airport.
Messaging, QR code contact exchange and mobile payments. Set up your profile photo and learn how to display your QR code before you arrive.
Alipay
The main payment app for daily spending, transport and mini programs. Register and link an eligible international card in advance.
DiDi
The standard ride hailing app, comparable to Uber. Set the language to English and add a payment method before your trip.
Amap
The most reliable navigation app for getting around Shanghai. Save your hotel, the venue and meeting addresses in advance.
Translation app
Handy for menus, signage and event pages only available in Chinese. Download an offline language pack if supported.
Huodongxing
Worth installing for discovering side events, conference sessions and networking gatherings alongside the main show.
Plan your payments before you land
China runs heavily on mobile payments. International cards can work at some hotels and larger retailers, but treat that as the exception rather than the rule. Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay, link an eligible international card to at least one of them, and bring a backup physical card and some cash for emergencies. Card support and limits vary by issuing bank and country, so test your setup before you travel.
Even travellers who prefer Alipay will usually still need WeChat for business communication, since exchanging a WeChat contact is often the local equivalent of swapping business cards.
Getting to Shanghai New International Expo Centre
Save the venue name and address in both languages so you can show it to a taxi or DiDi driver if needed, Shanghai New International Expo Centre, 上海新国际博览中心, No. 2345 Longyang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 上海市浦东新区龙阳路2345号.
Metro
Huamu Road station on Line 7 is one of the most convenient stops. Longyang Road station is a major hub with metro and Maglev access, a short walk or transfer from the venue.
Line 7, directDiDi or taxi
Useful when carrying materials or moving between the venue and side events. Expect heavier traffic and busier pickup points during show days.
Leave extra timeFrom the airport
Pudong International Airport is on the same side of the city as the venue. Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station are further away, so allow extra time.
Check traffic firstChoosing a place to stay
Many attendees stay in Pudong, close to the venue, Longyang Road, Century Park or Lujiazui, which keeps morning travel short on meeting heavy days. Staying across the river in Puxi can suit visitors who value restaurants and evening side events more than a short commute, in exchange for a longer ride each morning. Whichever area you choose, check the distance to the venue, metro access, DiDi pickup convenience and breakfast hours before booking, and reserve early since hotels near the venue fill up quickly.
Getting the most out of your meetings
If you are attending for business, start outreach several weeks ahead of the show. Calendars for the most relevant contacts tend to fill quickly once the event gets closer.
Keep your introduction short
A useful introduction answers three things, what your company does, who you help, and why the conversation is worth continuing.
Have your WeChat ready
Make sure your profile is easy to recognise and your QR code is quick to pull up. A short follow up message helps people remember you.
Bring the essentials
A short digital deck, a one page company summary, business cards and a charged device cover most meeting scenarios.
Leave buffer time
Some of the best conversations happen off schedule. Leaving space between meetings makes room for them.
Themes worth following this year
ChinaJoy is a useful signal for where gaming, mobile and digital advertising are heading. Novabeyond works across programmatic advertising, global media access and full cycle campaign management, so our team will be paying particular attention to monetisation strategy, cross platform user acquisition, signal quality and measurement, and how publishers and advertisers are adapting to a more privacy conscious targeting environment. If any of these topics are on your agenda too, it is a good excuse to compare notes in Shanghai.
Novabeyond will be in Shanghai for ChinaJoy 2026
We are firming up our schedule of meetings and informal catch ups for the week. Let us know if you would like to compare notes.
Pre departure checklist
Before you fly
- Confirm visa or entry requirements for your nationality
- Decide whether you need a BTOB pass, a BTOC ticket, or both
- Register for the right pass
- Install WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Amap and a translation app
- Link an eligible card to Alipay or WeChat Pay
- Book flights and a hotel near the venue
During the event
- Arrive with time to spare before your first meeting
- Keep your QR code and confirmations saved offline
- Use WeChat to exchange contacts
- Leave buffer time between meetings
- Carry a power bank and some cash
After the event
- Follow up within a week, referencing your specific conversation
- Send any materials you promised
- Confirm next steps clearly
- Log new contacts and review which meetings mattered most