What not to miss at CAE Beijing 2026

The 2026 China (Beijing) Attractions Expo (CAE) will take place from 19–21 March at the Capital International Exhibition Centre in Shunyi District, Beijing. The event will bring together suppliers, operators and investors from across the global attractions and cultural tourism industries.

Alongside the exhibition floor, CAAPA will also host a multi-day conference programme exploring the future of tourism, leisure and entertainment.

From robotics and immersive technologies to international project partnerships, the 2026 edition highlights several emerging trends shaping the attractions sector.

Intelligent robotics zone

A major new feature of the expo is the Intelligent Robotics Exhibition Zone, which highlights how robotics and automation are increasingly integrated into themed entertainment and visitor attractions.

The area will showcase a variety of robotic technologies, including humanoid robots and robotic animals such as pandas, dinosaurs, lions and horses.

Demonstrations will include robotics, dance performances, and martial arts routines inspired by those featured in China’s Spring Festival Gala.

Interactive installations will also allow visitors to experience technologies first-hand. These include robot-dog obstacle courses and panda-themed capsule retail robots, illustrating how robotics can be used in retail, guest interaction, and entertainment environments.

Throughout the exhibition, a daily robotics parade will further demonstrate how robotic performers can be incorporated into themed attractions and live entertainment experiences.

Main forum

The main forum will take place on 18 March, one day before the official opening of CAE, at the Capital International Exhibition Centre banquet hall.

The full-day programme will focus on high-quality development and innovation in the cultural tourism sector, covering a wide range of themes, including policy interpretation, industry data insights, IP integration, technology convergence, and cross-sector collaboration.

Speakers will include leading Chinese industry experts and influential figures from across multiple fields.

In the morning session, Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy under China Tourism Group (CTG), will deliver the opening keynote titled Pathways for High-Quality Development of the Tourism Industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan Period.

CAAPA will also hold its 8th Members Representative Meeting following the keynote session.

In the afternoon, Ni Minjing, director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, will present a keynote titled Empowering Cultural Tourism Destinations through Culture and Technology in the New Era.

Fifteen specialist forums

A total of 15 specialist forums will take place on 19 and 20 March within the CAE exhibition venue. These sessions will examine the current state of the cultural tourism and leisure industries from multiple perspectives, exploring the sector's challenges and potential solutions.

Speakers from several countries will share insights drawn from their own organisations and projects. Each session will also include interactive discussions and in-depth Q&A with the audience.

Internationalisation and Innovative Development of Attractions and Cultural Tourism forum

One highlight is the International Innovation and Development Forum for Cultural Tourism Enterprises, where senior practitioners from the global themed entertainment sector will discuss how Chinese cultural tourism brands can expand internationally.

The discussion will examine topics such as talent development, creative collaboration, IP integration and brand building.

Charles Read, founder and creative director of blooloop, together with Huaiyuan (Robert) Ren, editor (Asia) at blooloop, will host a dialogue session titled How Chinese cultural tourism brands can build long-term trust in global markets.

Also speaking will be Matt Barton, founder and chairperson of 7thSense, who will present on “Collaboration in themed entertainment: connected communities and shared success.”

In the last session, CAAPA and Fantawild will come together to launch the Cultural and Tourism Outbound Cooperation Initiative, a major boost and encouragement for Chinese brands and a great way to close the forum.

Forum on AI and Robotics Empowering Innovation in Cultural Tourism Development

This forum will bring together representatives from companies including Unitree Robotics, Zhiyuan Robotics and the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, alongside cultural tourism operators such as OCT Cultural Tourism Technology Group, Beijing Happy Valley and Beijing Heyu Culture & Technology.

Together, they will focus on embodied AI robotics, exploring topics ranging from technological challenges and industry trends to practical applications in tourism, live entertainment and visitor attractions.

Cultural Tourism Innovation Product Launch Event

Another key session is the Cultural Tourism Innovation Product Launch Event, which will showcase emerging technologies and solutions across the industry. Presentations will span areas such as intelligent companion devices, next-generation rides, scenic transport systems, MR technologies and digital entertainment.

The event aims to reflect the broader shift toward smart, immersive, and experience-driven tourism products, presenting a complete ecosystem spanning hardware and ride systems, software platforms, and operational solutions.

New product highlights include:

• Smart hardware: intelligent companion devices, next-generation roller coasters, all-terrain vehicles, suspended rail vehicles and electric recreational boats
  
• Digital experiences: immersive light theatre productions, large-scale outdoor MR environments and MR ride or night-tour products
• Operational solutions: new revenue models for scenic destinations and high-value resort experience planning
• Classic attraction upgrades: new interpretations of existing ride systems and integrated next-generation attraction concepts

International Cultural Tourism Project Matchmaking Forum

This forum aims to build a bridge for exchange and cooperation between the Chinese and Russian cultural tourism industries, focusing on practical pathways for Chinese amusement equipment suppliers and service providers to enter the Russian market.

Russian participants will include representatives from the Russian Parks Association, regional governments and industry associations, as well as operators of parks and attractions across the country.

They will join Chinese representatives from companies such as Zhejiang Juma Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd., Boundless Creative Art & Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., and Beijing Zhongcheng Meijing Cultural & Creative Group Co., Ltd.

Through case-study presentations and discussion, the session will explore the latest products, technologies and operational practices shaping the cultural tourism and attractions industry.

Seminar on the Development of Modern State-Owned Forest Farms (Forest Parks) and the Integration of Forestry with Cultural Tourism

Jointly organised by CAAPA and the China National Forest Farm Association, the forum will examine the evolving role of forests within tourism development.

Speakers will explore how ecological resources can be transformed into new tourism products while reinforcing the importance of environmental protection in destination planning.

The session will open with remarks from CAAPA chairman Yao Jun, followed by presentations from experts representing organisations such as the National Parks and Protected Areas Committee, Guangdong Guanyinshan National Forest Park and Beijing Forestry University.

Together, the discussions will explore how forest tourism can enrich destination offerings while promoting sustainability and conservation.

Other highlights of the programme include: Forum on New Scenarios and Business Models in Cultural Tourism, Seminar on Digital Art Innovation and Development, and Forum on Immersive Cultural Tourism Innovation and Development

Meet the exhibitors at CAE 2026

Brogent Technologies - booth #2375

Brogent Technologies Inc., a leading manufacturer of media-based attractions, will present its latest projects, including Flying Over Saudi, the biggest flying theatre attraction in the Middle East.

The project in Riyadh, which launched on 24 December 2025, sets a new benchmark for large-scale, high-end flying theatre experiences and strengthens Riyadh’s reputation as a rapidly emerging destination for world-class attractions.

The firm opened several brand-new rides across the globe in 2025, including two in Asia. Air Cruise the Ride is the first LED dome-screen flying theatre at Huis Ten Bosch in Japan.

ChangAn Above is the largest flying theatre in Asia, located in Xi’an, honouring the rich cultural legacy of the Tang Dynasty by blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge simulation technology.

Visitors can book time with the team via email.

DOF Robotics - booth # 2185

DOF Robotics, an award-winning producer of immersive simulation attractions, robotic systems, games, and CGI content, will also be exhibiting at CAE 2026.

The company recently revealed a new dark ride product at IAAPA Expo 2025, designed to push the boundaries of motion, storytelling, and technology, and attendees at the show can learn more about it alongside guest favourites such as AIQ and the Hurricane 360 VR simulator.

See also: Not just VR: DOF Robotics on the next frontier of experiential entertainment

Fantawild Holdings - booth #2210

Fantawild Holdings Inc., a leading one-stop solution provider in the theme park industry, will have a presence on the trade show floor. As a leading supplier, the firm also operates several of Asia's top theme parks.

Its newest parks include Boonie Bears Land in Huai'an. Opened in September 2025, this theme park marks a key milestone in Huai’an city’s cultural tourism growth and in Fantawild’s ongoing expansion in the entertainment and attractions sector.

This followed the opening of Oriental Legend, a new theme park in Ziyang, China.

Huss Park Attractions - booth #2165

Huss Park Attractions, the German ride manufacturer, has supplied over 45 attractions to amusement parks in China over the last two decades. Two of the most recent additions are the family-friendly Giant, aka King Kong, at Fantasy Valley Xiangyang and the thrill ride Top Spin Suspended at Happy Valley Nanjing.

King Kong features interesting movements, a striking design, and engaging special effects. The concept is inspired by the iconic King Kong movie, featuring a giant gorilla who appears to lift the ride gondola into the air.

Meanwhile, the Top Spin Suspended at OCT Happy Valley Nanjing is called Perfect Storm and is located in the park's Forest Mysterious Area.

The Top Spin is among the most popular offerings from Huss Park Attractions and is found in amusement parks worldwide. The Top Spin Suspended model includes 38 seats configured in a back-to-back (B2B) arrangement, with each row facing the opposite way.

Another recent example is the new Toxicator ride at Alton Towers Resort in the UK, the highest Top Spin ride of its kind.

Jora Vision - booth #2275

Jora Vision, a leading design and production company, has over 25 years of experience in the leisure industry, working with clients in China and around the world.

It has expertise in theme parks & resorts, attractions, dark rides, zoos, family entertainment destinations, museums, hotels, mini-golf, water parks, and more.

Recent projects include the development of The Enchanted Greenhouse at Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s eagerly awaited new park, which opened on 31 December 2025.

Last month, it announced that it is bringing RemarkaBall, its automated, immersive minigolf concept developed in partnership with Lagotronics, to five new locations in the Netherlands. The new installations will be operated by Hollywood Entertainment Centre, one of the county's top indoor entertainment providers.

Maurer Rides - booth #2169

Maurer Rides, a leading designer and manufacturer of roller coasters and transport solutions, will present its newest innovations, including the latest developments of its Spike Racer roller coaster system.

Spike is a proven attraction technology, currently with eight installations either operational or under construction across three continents and five countries.

The eighth Spike Racing installation, currently under construction in China, will be the first indoor version. Although specific project details are still confidential, this installation demonstrates strong market validation from Chinese developers, who are among the most active participants in global attraction development.

Martin & Vleminckx - booth #2391

Martin & Vleminckx (MV Rides), a leader in designing, manufacturing, fabricating, and installing thrilling attractions, will also exhibit at CAE 2026.

Last year, three of its wooden roller coasters were named among the Top 10 Roller Coasters in China at the 2025 Golden Crown Awards by the Chinese amusement industry.

The company’s portfolio of rides includes G-Storm. This high-intensity attraction launches guests back and forth on a large gondola, moving along a dynamic track suspended between two tall structures.

Polercoaster is a groundbreaking vertical roller coaster that delivers an exhilarating ride within a surprisingly small footprint, while SkySpire is an architectural tower featuring 360-degree panoramic views from climate-controlled gondolas.

Unicoaster 2.0 is an interactive, next-generation coaster featuring patented rotating seats that allow riders to control their experience along the track.

Visitors can schedule a meeting in advance by email.

Proslide Technologies - booth #2279

ProSlide Technology Inc., an industry leader in water ride manufacturing and design, is working on several projects set to open in 2026, including Xocomil (Guatemala), Aqualandia (Chile), Roaring Springs (USA), Seabreeze (USA), Reefsedge (Australia), Lost Paradise of Dilmun (Bahrain), and more.

Last month, the company celebrated the opening of Sun World Vũng Tàu Aqua Adventure in Vietnam, which presents a destination-scale portfolio of the company's water rides, developed with Sun Group. The project marks more than 12 years of partnership between the two companies, and offers high-performance, high-capacity experiences created for Vietnam’s rapidly expanding leisure market.

Meetings can be booked by email.

Simtec Systems - booth #2743

Simtec Systems, a leader in motion simulation, has over three decades of experience in advanced simulator attractions and continues to push the boundaries of immersive technology.

Recent innovations from the firm include the new HEXaPOT Dark Ride. Combining true 6DOF motion with unlimited 360° rotation and a patented energy recovery system, HEXaPOT delivers dynamic storytelling, reduced energy consumption, and unmatched reliability.

Last year, Simtec announced that it was working with The VOID to develop a first-of-its-kind hyper-reality dark ride. This will bring together Simtec’s proven motion simulators with The VOID’s multisensory “hyper-reality” platform to create cinematic worlds that provide theme-park-level throughput within a compact space.

Unitree Robotics - booth #2689

Unitree Robotics will be one of the standout exhibitors at CAE 2026, showcasing its latest developments in high-performance humanoid and quadruped robotics.

The company is widely recognised as a global leader in consumer and industry-grade legged robots, specialising in the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of advanced robotic platforms and dexterous manipulators.

Unitree has attracted international attention through appearances at major global events, including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, the 2023 Super Bowl pre-game show, and multiple editions of China’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala. The company was also the first in the world to retail high-performance quadruped robots at scale.

At CAE, Unitree is expected to highlight two of its flagship systems: the G1 humanoid robot and the Go2 quadruped robot. The G1 platform demonstrates advanced mobility and AI-driven learning capabilities, combining high-speed movement with precise manipulation through dexterous robotic hands.

Meanwhile, Go2 features upgraded perception systems, including a self-developed ultra-wide LiDAR sensor and AI-powered navigation, enabling it to operate effectively across complex environments.

Vekoma Rides - booth # 2283

Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist, has several recent projects opening in the Asia-Pacific region.

In Australia, the new Wizard of Oz precinct at Warner Bros. Movie World features the Suspended Family Coaster ‘Flight of the Wicked Witch’ & Family Boomerang Racer ‘Kansas Twister’, and Dreamworld offers the world’s first Switchback Coaster, ‘ Jungle Rush ’.

Both parks raised the bar by creating immersive new precincts that feature Vekoma’s family-thrill coasters.

Attendees can arrange meetings by email.

WhiteWater - booth #2277

WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer, is working on several ambitious new projects across a wide variety of venue types, and has a number of innovative attractions set to launch in 2026 and 2027.

The company recently showcased its latest aquatic play offering, AquaAdrenaline, at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando. Set over a purpose-built or repurposed existing pool, it offers an unrestrained adventure course with compelling agility challenges. It promotes free exploration, allowing children to test their boundaries while also encouraging multi-generational play.

Two new water slides, Nautilus and Hurricane, are set to debut soon. Nautilus is an oscillating slide feature, resembling a spiralled seashell, that adjusts to the speed and path of incoming riders.

Hurricane, a visually impressive attraction designed for six-person rafts, features a surprising deceleration akin to entering a pool, immediately followed by intense vertical and centripetal acceleration upon exit.

ZIERER - booth #2159

ZIERER, a leading manufacturer of family-friendly amusement rides, will showcase its latest projects and product offerings.

Recent installations in Asia include a Force Five Coaster, Jet Skis and Wave Swinger 56 at Legoland Shanghai Resort in China, and a Roundabout at Huis Ten Bosch, Japan.

The team has also delivered a new Family Freefall Tower at Bommelwereld in the Netherlands and a Kontiki L at Hansa-Park in Germany.

The company also celebrated the grand opening of the first Drifter at Särkänniemi in Finland earlier this year.

This innovative ride is an interactive carousel, based on the firm’s popular Jet Skis attraction. It is all about driving fun, action, and adrenaline, promising a memorable experience for young and old. Once the lever is engaged, the wheels can adjust freely, creating the thrilling drifting effect.

Attendees can arrange meetings by email.