December in Guangzhou fills the air with creative energy. Walking along the Pearl River, you can feel the city’s pulse quickening in anticipation of its annual design extravaganza. Guangzhou Design Week 2025, centered around the “Dear” theme, will blossom from December 5th to 8th at three main venues: Poly World Trade Center Expo, Guangzhou International Procurement Center, and Haizhu International Convention and Exhibition Center. This is more than just a design exhibition—it’s a warm conversation about the art of living well.

I remember this time last year at Design Week, meeting a designer who pointed to a seemingly simple chair and said, “I want anyone sitting in this chair to feel the security of a gentle embrace.” That sentiment stayed with me. Perhaps this is the true essence of the “Dear” theme—design shouldn’t be cold objects but warm bridges connecting people and emotions.

Exploring the Unique Charm of Design Week

If you ask me when is Guangzhou Design Week 2025, I’d suggest you specially mark December 5th to 8th on your calendar. During these four days, the entire city immerses itself in a design atmosphere.

The Poly World Trade Center Expo is always the most popular spot. If you want to avoid the crowds, try visiting on a weekday afternoon. Last year, I discovered a particularly moving booth here where the designer beautifully blended traditional bamboo weaving with contemporary design. “Each piece is a conversation with the materials,” he told me. “We need to listen to their voices and understand their characteristics.”

Moving to the Guangzhou International Procurement Center, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and casual. Small, exquisite booths often hold delightful surprises. I remember meeting a designer couple here last year creating furniture from reclaimed old wood. “These wood pieces carry memories of time,” they said. “Our task is to extend their lives through design.”

The Haizhu International Convention and Exhibition Center offers an experiential journey into future living. Here, you’ll discover technology can be full of warmth. Smart home systems understand your habits, lighting adjusts to your mood—everything feels naturally harmonious.

Guangzhou Design Week 2025

Making Your Visit More Enjoyable

Years of attending have taught me some practical tips:

• Choose comfortable shoes—good design deserves slow appreciation
• Pack a lightweight backpack for inspirations gathered along the way
• Bring ample business cards to stay connected with like-minded friends
• Keep your phone fully charged—there are simply too many precious moments to capture

Pre-registering online is a smart choice—it saves queuing time and lets you research interesting booths in advance. If you hope to have in-depth conversations with preferred brands, the Professional Visitor Pass offers additional convenience.

Spots Worth Your Time

In the Emerging Designers zone, you’ll feel the freshest creative pulse. A young designer I met here three years ago now runs his own studio. “Design Week gave me the courage to showcase my work,” he said, “and led me to many like-minded partners.”

The Materials Experience area always makes me want to linger. Touching the textures, hearing their stories, you’ll discover each material’s unique character. An eco-friendly coating I found here last year became my first choice for multiple projects due to its warm texture.

The International section always brings new perspectives. Seeing how designers from around the world interpret the “Dear” theme will amaze you with cultural diversity while moving you with our shared pursuit of beautiful living.

Practical Tips

Shuttle buses between venues are very convenient, but allowing ample transfer time makes for a more comfortable schedule. Dining areas get quite busy during lunch—consider exploring authentic local cuisine around the venues, which is a delightful experience in itself.

It’s worth mentioning that Kanod‘s workshop is about an hour from the main venues. While they’re not exhibiting directly this year, those interested in craftsmanship might appreciate a visit. Last year, watching the master artisan meticulously polishing details was truly touching. “Putting heart into every product,” he said, “is the best care we can offer users.”

Guangzhou Design Week 2025

FAQ

Q: What are the main highlights of Guangzhou Design Week 2025?

A: This year’s “Dear” theme runs through the entire event, focusing on emotional design and sustainable development. I particularly recommend the Emerging Designers zone and Materials Experience area, where you can always discover surprising innovations.

Q: What should I prepare before visiting Design Week?

A: Besides pre-registering online, I suggest planning your route carefully. Each of the three venues has its unique characteristics, so you can allocate time according to your interests. Comfortable shoes are essential because you’ll find every exhibition area deserves careful appreciation.

Q: Is Design Week suitable for children?

A: Absolutely! The event features many interactive experience zones where children can discover the charm of design through play. The Materials Experience area and various interactive installations are particularly engaging for young visitors.

Moving Forward with Inspiration

In this age of efficiency, Guangzhou Design Week continues to protect design’s original purpose. Slow down, feel with your heart, engage genuinely, and you’ll discover: the best designs always carry life’s warmth and humanity’s care.

Looking forward to meeting you in Guangzhou this December, where we’ll explore the warm, beautiful possibilities in design together. Let’s rethink the relationship between design and life under the “Dear” theme, feeling the warmth and emotion that creativity brings.