The Phase II expansion of the Zhongyuan Convention Center has been completed in Zhengzhou, China, marking one of the country’s largest convention and exhibition developments. Designed by RSHP in collaboration with Tongji Architectural Design Group (TJAD), the project significantly expands Zhengzhou’s capacity to host international exhibitions, conferences, and large-scale business events within the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone.
Spanning nearly 700,000 square meters, the development brings together 16 exhibition halls, a conference centre, and a 275-room hotel. These facilities are linked by a 1.7-kilometer-long elevated circulation spine that acts as the project’s organizing element, connecting major entrances, event spaces, hospitality functions, and public amenities into a single, continuous visitor experience.
New Convention Hub Opens in Zhengzhou
Located adjacent to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, the project was conceived to strengthen the city’s position as a business and logistics gateway in central China. The convention centre occupies both sides of a landscaped park and extends across a vast site within the airport economic zone, creating a venue capable of accommodating multiple events simultaneously.
One of the designs is a modular planning strategy. Sixteen exhibition halls, each offering approximately 12,500 square meters of net exhibition space, are arranged along the central spine. Their large column-free interiors provide flexibility for trade fairs, exhibitions, cultural events, and conventions of varying scales.
The architecture draws inspiration from the landscapes of Henan Province, particularly the Yellow River and Song Mountain. RSHP translated these references into a series of sweeping roof canopies that define the complex’s skyline. The exhibition halls are covered by wing-arched roof structures that intersect along the main axis, creating a continuous architectural rhythm across the development while reducing the number of ground-level structural supports.
Beyond the exhibition halls, the conference centre serves as a major focal point within the masterplan. It is distinguished by a floating roof form and expansive cable-net façades that bring natural light into the interior while maintaining visual openness. The adjacent hotel completes the eastern end of the complex and shares a related roof language, creating a cohesive identity across the development.
Public circulation played a central role in the project’s planning. The elevated spine is organized on two levels, separating faster and slower pedestrian movement. This arrangement helps manage large visitor volumes while creating opportunities for dining, retail, and social spaces along the route. Restaurants and public gathering areas occupy the lower level, encouraging activity beyond exhibition hours and supporting a more active public realm.
The project also incorporates environmental measures aimed at achieving China’s Green Building standards. Planned sustainability features include photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection systems for landscape irrigation, and strategies to maximize natural daylight within the exhibition halls. These measures are intended to reduce operational energy demands while enhancing visitor comfort.
Delivered on a demanding construction schedule, the development utilized modular construction methods and extensive on-site steel fabrication. According to RSHP, the emphasis on standardization and advanced construction technology enabled the team to realize the vast complex efficiently while maintaining architectural consistency across its many components.
With its completion, the Phase II expansion of the Zhongyuan International Convention and Exhibition Center establishes a major new destination for exhibitions and conferences in central China. Combining large-scale event infrastructure, integrated hospitality facilities, and a strong architectural identity, the project reinforces Zhengzhou’s growing role as an international business and transportation hub.
Image credit: © Tian Fangfang
