THE BIGGEST TATTOO SHOW IN CHINA • LANGFANG TATTOO CONVENTION
The Langfang Tattoo Festival in China (about 50km from Beijing) is arguably one of the largest shows on the planet and the oldest one in China.
Started in 2005 as a relatively small show, it consistently blossomed into the massive tattoo convention which is today. This year the convention showcased a lineup of over 500 international tattoo artists, a staggering 52 tattoo suppliers and some of the biggest names and personalities in the whole tattoo industry. Which probably gives and idea of the increasingly Chinese impact in the tattoo market.
As every Asian tattoo show this has been an incredible showcase of of extremely refined tattoos and bodysuits. I love Asian style tattoos, so this was for me like an overload of beauty to admire.
Given the sheer size of the event it’s practically impossible to give a fair glimpse of it, so I’ll have to go by, with what I’ve personally seen and experienced.
THE LOCATION
The convention has been held at the Langfang Conference and Exhibition Center. A colossal and modern, trade fair structure just outside the center of Langfang. The floor-plan had four distinct sections: 3 for the artists and one dedicated to the suppliers, which included many of our sponsors.
THE GUEST HOTEL
Most guest (including me) have been staying at the superb Ennova Seven-Cultivation Hotel. This stunning place decorated in traditional Chinese style it’s possibly one of the most amazing hotels I have ever been, in my life. It hugely contributed to make this experience really memorable as it has been the perfect ambiance to meet and hang out with many friends and tattoo legends. The whole hotel felt more like an open museum and the traditional Chinese rooms where absolutely stunning.
THE ORGANIZATION
The event has been hosted by Hot Tattoo, one of the most prominent tattoo studios in Beijing. Organizing an event of this scale, in a country like China, it’s without doubts not an easy feat. They really went out of their way, to take care of all their international guests and they even organized several busses and taxis to get most western artists in and out of Langfang. Without this extra service, I doubt it that most people would even make it at the convention. Worth to mention that the really big guests got even picked up in Bentley and Rolls Royce rides.
THE TATTOO ARTISTS
As already mentioned this convention has been able to bring together some of the finest and most admired artists on the planet. I would really like to mention most of them but this article would become extremely long. So these are just a few of the special artists I’ve met at the convention:
JACK RUDY • UNITED STATES
Arguably the biggest tattoo legend present at the show. Jack is in-fact the godfather of modern Black & Grey and single-needle tattooing. He has been tattooing for over 50 years and his shop has been open for over 44 years. He appeared in the highly acclaimed Tattoo Nation movie documentary and when I met him for the first time at the London Tattoo Convention in 2014, he told me that by that time, he had already been to over 400 tattoo conventions around the world. I felt so small. This time while having another chat with him, he even genuinely really liked some of my black & grey tattoos on my left arm. A priceless moment for me.
SHIGE • JAPAN
Shige is the owner of the world famous Yellow Blaze Tattoo studio in from Yokohama. He is definitely one of the most respected and appreciated tattoo artists on the planet, thanks to his magnificent bodysuits and unique tattooing style. During the convention, his booth has constantly been surrounded by a large crowd trying to get a glimpse of his art. Interesting facts about Shige is that he is completely self-taught and he never had any form of apprenticeship. His own bodysuit, which he always shows at conventions while tattooing has been mostly made by another tattoo legend: Filip Leu.
MR. CARTOON • UNITED STATES
Here is another giant which I met for the first time in my life, as this was the first tattoo convention he ever attended since 1999. A return in style celebrated with the biggest booth at the convention together wit
THE BIGGEST TATTOO SHOW IN CHINA • LANGFANG TATTOO CONVENTION
The Langfang Tattoo Festival in China (about 50km from Beijing) is arguably one of the largest shows on the planet and the oldest one in China.
Started in 2005 as a relatively small show, it consistently blossomed into the massive tattoo convention which is today. This year the convention showcased a lineup of over 500 international tattoo artists, a staggering 52 tattoo suppliers and some of the biggest names and personalities in the whole tattoo industry. Which probably gives and idea of the increasingly Chinese impact in the tattoo market.
As every Asian tattoo show this has been an incredible showcase of of extremely refined tattoos and bodysuits. I love Asian style tattoos, so this was for me like an overload of beauty to admire.
Given the sheer size of the event it’s practically impossible to give a fair glimpse of it, so I’ll have to go by, with what I’ve personally seen and experienced.
THE LOCATION
The convention has been held at the Langfang Conference and Exhibition Center. A colossal and modern, trade fair structure just outside the center of Langfang. The floor-plan had four distinct sections: 3 for the artists and one dedicated to the suppliers, which included many of our sponsors.
THE GUEST HOTEL
Most guest (including me) have been staying at the superb Ennova Seven-Cultivation Hotel. This stunning place decorated in traditional Chinese style it’s possibly one of the most amazing hotels I have ever been, in my life. It hugely contributed to make this experience really memorable as it has been the perfect ambiance to meet and hang out with many friends and tattoo legends. The whole hotel felt more like an open museum and the traditional Chinese rooms where absolutely stunning.
THE ORGANIZATION
The event has been hosted by Hot Tattoo, one of the most prominent tattoo studios in Beijing. Organizing an event of this scale, in a country like China, it’s without doubts not an easy feat. They really went out of their way, to take care of all their international guests and they even organized several busses and taxis to get most western artists in and out of Langfang. Without this extra service, I doubt it that most people would even make it at the convention. Worth to mention that the really big guests got even picked up in Bentley and Rolls Royce rides.
THE TATTOO ARTISTS
As already mentioned this convention has been able to bring together some of the finest and most admired artists on the planet. I would really like to mention most of them but this article would become extremely long. So these are just a few of the special artists I’ve met at the convention:
JACK RUDY • UNITED STATES
Arguably the biggest tattoo legend present at the show. Jack is in-fact the godfather of modern Black & Grey and single-needle tattooing. He has been tattooing for over 50 years and his shop has been open for over 44 years. He appeared in the highly acclaimed Tattoo Nation movie documentary and when I met him for the first time at the London Tattoo Convention in 2014, he told me that by that time, he had already been to over 400 tattoo conventions around the world. I felt so small. This time while having another chat with him, he even genuinely really liked some of my black & grey tattoos on my left arm. A priceless moment for me.
SHIGE • JAPAN
Shige is the owner of the world famous Yellow Blaze Tattoo studio in from Yokohama. He is definitely one of the most respected and appreciated tattoo artists on the planet, thanks to his magnificent bodysuits and unique tattooing style. During the convention, his booth has constantly been surrounded by a large crowd trying to get a glimpse of his art. Interesting facts about Shige is that he is completely self-taught and he never had any form of apprenticeship. His own bodysuit, which he always shows at conventions while tattooing has been mostly made by another tattoo legend: Filip Leu.
MR. CARTOON • UNITED STATES
Here is another giant which I met for the first time in my life, as this was the first tattoo convention he ever attended since 1999. A return in style celebrated with the biggest booth at the convention together wit