The convention and exhibition venue is in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island, which is the business hub of Hong Kong. Built alongside Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial buildings.

The 1997 hand-back took place in the Convention Centre with President Jiang Zemin and other high PRC dignitaries representing China, Prince Charles was present in Royal Navy uniform to witness the relinquishment of what had often been described as "the richest jewel in the British Crown".

The HKCEC has a total internal exhibition area of more than 28,000 square metres with 16-metre headroom and spans ranging from 26 m to 81 m. Its multi-curved steel roof has a total area of 40,000 m², while the 7,000 m² fully glazed main entrance foyer has a clear headroom of about 60 metres.