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AWE Asia 2027 is the Asian edition of Augmented World Expo, an event series for the extended reality industry that dates back to 2010. It is aimed at developers, creators, product leaders, startups, enterprise end users, investors and technology enthusiasts with an interest in augmented reality, virtual reality, spatial computing and the role of AI in immersive devices. The event takes place in Shanghai, China, from July 14 to 16, 2027, and is held in person. It sits alongside the larger AWE USA edition in Long Beach and the European UnitedXR event in the AWE calendar, giving the XR conference in Shanghai 2027 a specifically regional perspective on the market. China is home to a large share of the hardware supply chain for headsets and smart glasses, which shapes the business focus of this edition. Attendees can expect a combination of conference talks, product demonstrations and exhibition space, along with opportunities to meet companies and investors active in the Asian XR ecosystem. The format suits both technical visitors looking at platforms and tooling and business visitors exploring partnerships. For the regional immersive technology community, the event offers a dedicated venue to track progress and build connections across the industry.
AWE Asia 2027 takes place July 14–16, 2027 in Shanghai, China.
AWE Asia 2027 is an in-person event.
Travel questions? See Good to know in the travel guide below.
Mid-July in Shanghai is hot and heavily humid, with afternoon highs above 32C and the tail of the plum-rain season still producing sudden downpours. Plan around it rather than through it: the city's metro, malls and museums are all air-conditioned, and the riverfront is far more pleasant after sunset. For an XR and spatial-computing crowd, Shanghai also happens to be where much of the hardware supply chain lives, which shows in the exhibition floor.
Pudong International (PVG) handles most long-haul arrivals, about 40 kilometres east of the centre; the maglev covers part of the route in eight minutes, and metro line 2 runs the whole way for far less. Hongqiao (SHA) is closer in and mostly domestic and regional, alongside a major high-speed rail hub. The metro is extensive, signed in English and the practical way to move around. Set up a mobile payment app before arrival, as cash is rarely used.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on EconomyBookings.
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Many familiar apps and services are unreachable on local networks, so most business visitors arrange international roaming or an eSIM that routes traffic outside the mainland before they fly. Sorting this out in advance matters more here than in most destinations. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
The Bund at dusk. The colonial-era waterfront faces the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu, and the contrast is the city's defining view. Go in the hour after sunset when the towers light up and the heat drops to something walkable. It is free and always busy; the promenade north of Nanjing Road is marginally calmer. Allow an hour.
Yu Garden and the old city. A Ming-dynasty scholar's garden of rockeries, ponds and pavilions, surrounded by a dense bazaar quarter. Arrive at opening to get the courtyards before tour groups and before the midday heat. Ninety minutes inside the garden, plus whatever the surrounding lanes pull you into. Tickets are timed, so book ahead in summer. Tickets on Klook →
Power Station of Art. China's first state-run contemporary art museum, in a converted riverside power plant on the West Bund. The scale of the turbine hall suits large installation work, and it is a genuinely good indoor escape on a 34C afternoon. Two hours, and the West Bund arts corridor nearby has several more galleries within walking distance.
Shanghai Tower observation deck. The second-tallest building in the world puts its deck at 546 metres, reached by one of the fastest lifts in service. Summer haze can flatten the view, so check visibility the same day rather than booking blind. Late afternoon into evening gives you both daylight and the lit skyline. Around ninety minutes including queuing. Tickets on Klook →
Which Shanghai airport should I fly into?
Pudong (PVG) takes almost all international flights and connects to the centre by metro line 2 or the maglev plus a short transfer. Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to the city but mainly serves domestic and regional routes.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in July?
Hot and very humid, with daytime highs around 32-35C, warm nights and a real chance of heavy afternoon rain or a passing typhoon system. Light clothing, an umbrella and planned indoor breaks are essential.
How should I pay for things?
Mobile payment apps dominate and many places no longer handle cash comfortably. International cards can now be linked to the main apps, but set this up before you travel rather than on arrival.
Do I need a visa?
Requirements depend on nationality and change periodically; several countries currently have visa-free or transit-exemption arrangements. Check the official Chinese embassy guidance for your passport well before booking.
Travel notes written for AWE Asia 2027 attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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