139th Canton Fair 2026 Complete Playbook | Canton Fair 2026 Insider Guide
Updated April 2026 · By Jing — bilingual, based in Guangdong, China
As a bilingual guide based long-term in Guangdong, I’ve attended the Canton Fair for many editions. This guide isn’t the generic fluff you see on travel blogs — it’s a practical playbook to help you attend efficiently and lock in the best possible prices.
Basic Information for the 139th Canton Fair
Official Name: 中国进出口商品交易会 (China Import and Export Fair)
Consumer Electronics, New Energy Vehicles, Smart Mobility, Industrial Automation, Intelligent Manufacturing
第二期 Phase 2
Apr 23-27
Home Goods, Silver Economy (Senior Care Products), Maternal Infant & Toddler Goods, Smart Living
第三期 Phase 3
May 1-5
Textiles & Apparel, Health & Leisure, Food and Packaging
Tip: There is a 3-day break between each phase. If your sourcing categories span multiple phases, plan your itinerary smartly — you don’t need to stay at the venue every day, you can arrange factory visits during the break period.
Registration & Entry
Overseas buyers need to complete online registration in advance:
Prepare your passport information, company documents, and a photo of your business card
The registration system uses dynamic JS rendering, so you need to complete it in a regular browser (opening via WeChat in-app browser is not supported)
After successful registration, scan your passport or show your e-confirmation letter on-site to collect your visitor badge
Insider tip: Register as early as possible. The system may get congested close to the fair opening date. If you’re a first-time attendee, we recommend finishing registration at least 2 weeks in advance.
Transportation Guide: Getting to Pazhou
From Baiyun Airport
Metro: Line 3 North Extension → Transfer to Line 1 at Tiyu Xilu → Transfer to Line 8 at Wanshengwei → Pazhou Station (approx 90 mins, ¥9)
Taxi/DiDi: Approx 60-90 mins, ¥150-250 (depends on traffic)
Airport Shuttle Bus: There are direct routes to Pazhou, follow the official "Guangzhou Baiyun Airport" WeChat public account for schedule queries
From Guangzhou South Railway Station
Metro: Line 2 → Transfer to Line 8 at Changgang → Pazhou Station (approx 40 mins, ¥5)
From Shenzhen
High-speed Rail: Shenzhen North/Futian → Guangzhou South (30-40 mins, ¥75-100), then transfer to metro
Intercity Bus: Direct buses to Guangzhou are available at all Shenzhen ports
Insider tip: The area around Pazhou is extremely congested during the fair. Take the metro, no exceptions. Taking a taxi during peak hours can be twice as slow as the metro, and it’s very hard to get a ride. Exit C of Line 8 Pazhou Station leads directly into the exhibition hall.
Accommodation Recommendations
Walking Distance (Within 1km)
酒店 Hotel
说明 Notes
参考价格 Price
Westin Pazhou
Directly connected to Zone B, most convenient
¥1500-3000/night
Shangri-La Pazhou
Connected to Zone A via sky bridge
¥1200-2500/night
Grand Hyatt Guangzhou
10-minute walk to Zone A
¥1000-2200/night
Value Options (2-4 Metro Stops Away)
酒店 Hotel
区域 Area
参考价格 Price
Atour Pazhou
Pazhou
¥400-800/night
Home Inn / 7 Days Inn (Kecun/Chigang)
Near Kecun Metro Station
¥200-400/night
Zhujiang New Town Hotels
Zhujiang New Town
¥500-1500/night
Insider tip: Pazhou hotel prices surge 2-5 times during the Canton Fair, book at least 1 month in advance for sure. Staying in Zhujiang New Town is the best value pick — it’s only a 15-minute metro ride to Pazhou, has far more hotel and dining options, and you can explore Guangzhou’s CBD in the evenings.
Exhibition Must-Have Checklist
Bring With You
Lots of business cards — at least 200, double-sided with Chinese and English is best
Portable charger — the venue is huge, your phone battery will drain extremely fast
Comfortable shoes — walking 20,000 steps a day is standard
Personal water bottle — there are water dispensers in the venue, but lines are long
Lightweight backpack — to hold catalogs, samples, and business cards
RMB cash + mobile payment — activate WeChat Pay / Alipay in advance
Prepare in Advance
WeChat — almost all Chinese suppliers only communicate via WeChat, register an account and set up your profile photo and company info beforehand
VPN — if you need to use overseas services like Google, WhatsApp etc.
Chinese SIM card or eSIM — sold at the airport, we recommend buying a data-inclusive package
Translation app — we recommend Baidu Translate or Google Translate offline package
Product demand list — list out your target sourcing categories, specifications, target price, expected MOQ in advance
Pro Tips: Make Your Canton Fair Trip More Efficient
1. Skip Day 1
The first day of each phase is packed, with over 100,000 people flooding in. Days 2 and 3 are the best sourcing days — exhibitors are warmed up, and serious buyers start negotiations. On Days 4 and 5, exhibitors are more willing to make concessions on price and MOQ, as they’ve already hit most of their outreach targets.
2. Scout First, Negotiate Later
Spend the first day (or your first day at the fair) quickly browsing all your target exhibition zones, mark the booths you’re interested in. Come back on the second day with clear requirements for in-depth talks. Don’t place an order at the first booth you visit.
3. Get Written Quotes
Verbal quotes are meaningless. Ask the exhibitor to write down: Unit Price, MOQ, Sample Cost, Lead Time, FOB Port. Take a photo of it and attach their business card for records.
4. Scan WeChat, Not Just Exchange Cards
Business cards get lost or mixed up easily after you leave. Add each other on WeChat on the spot, note down their booth number and product type in the contact remark. This makes post-fair follow-up 10x more efficient.
5. Use the Online Exhibition Platform
The Canton Fair has a 365-day online exhibition: 365.cantonfair.org.cn. Before the fair, you can browse exhibitors and book meetings in advance. After the fair, you can keep in touch with suppliers you missed at the venue.
6. Plan Post-Fair Factory Visits
There are massive factory clusters within a 2-hour drive of Guangzhou — Foshan (ceramics, furniture), Dongguan (electronics, hardware), Zhongshan (lighting), Shenzhen (tech products). After reaching a preliminary agreement at the fair, book an on-site factory inspection.
Insider tip: If you need help arranging factory visits, translation accompaniment or supplier background checks, feel free to contact us. Jing is based long-term in Guangdong and knows the Pearl River Delta supply chain inside out.
Guangzhou Food Recommendations
Coming to Guangzhou and skipping dim sum is a waste of your trip. Here are some popular spots locals frequent:
Dim Sum / 饮茶 yǐnchá: 点都德 Diǎndūdé, 广州酒家 Guǎngzhōu Jiǔjiā (Guangzhou Restaurant)
Late-night Congee: Available everywhere in Liwan District
Tip: Search for "nearby food" on the Dianping app, it’s the Chinese equivalent of Yelp, and its ratings are very reliable.
Key Bilingual Phrases
中文 Chinese
English
拼音 Pinyin
你好，我是采购商
Hello, I'm a buyer
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì cǎigòu shāng
这个产品单价多少？
What's the unit price?
Zhège chǎnpǐn dānjià duōshao?
最低起订量是多少？
What's the MOQ?
Zuìdī qǐdìngliàng shì duōshao?
能便宜点吗？
Can you give a better price?
Néng piányi diǎn ma?
可以拿样品吗？
Can I get a sample?
Kěyǐ ná yàngpǐn ma?
生产周期多长？
How long is production?
Shēngchǎn zhōuqī duō cháng?
加个微信吧
Let's add each other on WeChat
Jiā ge Wēixìn ba
你们工厂在哪里？
Where is your factory?
Nǐmen gōngchǎng zài nǎlǐ?
能安排验厂吗？
Can I visit the factory?
Néng ānpái yàn chǎng ma?
请写下报价
Please write down the quote
Qǐng xiě xià bàojià
Important Reminders
Weather: Guangzhou is hot and humid from April to May, with temperatures between 28-33°C. Pack light, breathable clothes and rain gear.
Safety: The Canton Fair venue has strict security, so personal safety is guaranteed. But take good care of your personal belongings.
Visa: Confirm your visa type allows you to participate in commercial activities. Attending the fair on a tourist visa may carry risks.
Currency: Prepare some RMB cash, but mobile payment is widely accepted. ATMs in the venue support cash withdrawal.
Internet: The venue provides free WiFi but it’s slow. We recommend using your own mobile data plan.
This article is written by the China With Me team. Jing is based long-term in Guangdong, if you need services including Canton Fair accompaniment, factory visit arrangement, supplier verification etc., feel free to contact us.