Shanghai’s CIIE Pavilion Is Turning Shopping Into an Interactive City Tour

The 2026 China International Import Expo will open in Shanghai on November 5. But one of its most visitor-friendly spaces is not a traditional company booth. The “Shanghai Pavilion” is designed as an interactive guide to the city’s food, fashion, technology and cultural experiences.

Eight sides of “Shanghai Style”

This year’s pavilion uses the theme “Shanghai Style — Customise Your Own Experience”. It is divided into eight sections: fashion and jewellery, global food, beauty and fragrance, ticket-linked consumption, AI and consumption, Shanghai gifts, the night-time economy and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts.

The idea is to show how Shanghai is combining local brands, international products and new consumption experiences in one city setting.

Visitors can do more than look

The pavilion will recreate parts of a traditional tailoring workshop, allowing visitors to experience how a suit is measured and made. There will also be coffee-latte art, fragrance mixing and a workshop where visitors can make their own lipstick.

For visitors who want to experience Shanghai through food, the “Global Food Fair” will combine flavours from the Americas, Europe and Asia with Shanghai brands such as Shao Wansheng, Qiaojiazha and Shanghai Coffee.

Non-heritage crafts become hands-on activities

The pavilion’s intangible cultural heritage section will run rotating craft activities each day. Visitors can try making traditional qipao buttons, prepare a sachet inspired by Chinese herbal culture, and explore Chinese-style jewellery using traditional metal-inlay techniques.

These are not only display pieces. The organisers say the activities are designed to let visitors take part in the making process and understand how traditional techniques are being adapted for modern consumers.

From museum tickets to city-wide experiences

The pavilion also highlights Shanghai’s “ticket economy”. Visitors can connect CIIE tickets with museums, sporting events, cultural performances and local shopping districts. The goal is to turn a single event ticket into a wider city itinerary.

There will also be more than 15 products from the first Shanghai “AI plus consumption” innovation competition, as well as Shanghai gift ideas ranging from designer goods and coffee to animation and gaming merchandise.

When and where?

The ninth CIIE will open on November 5, 2026. The Shanghai Pavilion will be part of the expo’s central-square experience. Some hands-on activities and brand offers may operate only during specified time periods, so visitors should check the latest on-site information.

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