The Beijing Exhibition Center opened in 1954 as the city's first large-scale, comprehensive exhibition venue, with the late Premier Zhou En-Lai cutting the red ribbon and Chairman Mao Tse-Tung contributing poetic thoughts, the 735,000-square meter, Russian-style building is a period piece landmark fronted by a red star-topped spire and an entrance lobby festooned with massive, multi-layer crystal chandeliers. Offering a cohesive yet flexible and easily accessed venue are the three East Wing exhibition halls and single large hall, entertainment theater and restaurant in the West Wing.

Primarily intended for the display of heavy industrial and agricultural machinery, the two outdoor areas flanking the central building have a total of 8,ooo square meters These spaces can also be set up to exhibit light industrial products, including those of the electronic and similar enterprises.