Jiangmen, Guangdong, is preparing to host a major international coffee gathering. From March 5 to 8, the 4th Jiangmen Coffee Culture Festival will transform Wuyi Overseas Chinese Plaza into a global hub for coffee professionals and enthusiasts. The event will feature the finals of three prestigious competitions.
Organized by the local commercial association, the festival is expected to draw over 330 exhibiting brands. An international zone will showcase beans and products from countries including Australia, Colombia, Uganda, and Vietnam. The domestic pavilion will host roasters, equipment makers, and related businesses from more than 40 Chinese cities.
A key attraction will be the gathering of world-class talent. Thirteen champion guests are scheduled to demonstrate their skills. The lineup includes Anthony (Australia), the current World Barista Champion; Chinese star Sun Lei, last year's global runner-up; World Brewers Cup champion Peng Jinyang; and UK cake-decorating gold medalist Chen Shuting. Attendees will have the chance to watch masters at work in live sessions covering roasting, brewing, latte art, and dessert pairing.
The festival will serve as the final venue for three significant contests. It will host the 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Barista Vocational Skills Competition, billed as the region's top skills event. The global final of the World Coffee Blending Championship (WCBC), a contest conceived in Jiangmen, will also be decided here. A third competition aims to connect the global Chinese diaspora through a shared passion for brewing.
Beyond the competitions, the event will feature a wide range of professional and home coffee equipment, including machines manufactured in Jiangmen's industrial district. The program also blends coffee culture with local traditions, offering workshops on crafting Xinhui fish lanterns and weaving palm-leaf fans. Additional activities will link Jiangmen's prominent motorcycle culture and outdoor lifestyle brands to the specialty coffee scene.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
