Your guide to attending the Canton Fair

The 137th edition of Canton Fair is set to return on 15 April in Guangzhou. The event is the city’s biannual premier import and export fair, and is one of the biggest events in the region.

Expect to see movers and shakers from all sorts of industries flocking to tens of thousands of booths sprawled across a gigantic complex – all in pursuit of the next big thing to make their business stand out. Among them, you’ll also find us stationed on the ground with a dedicated service counter alongside our friends from Hong Kong International Airport.

From what to bring to how to get there with Cathay, here’s everything you need to know.

When to go to the Canton Fair

A crucial aspect of this Chinese trade fair is the fact that it’s spread across three phases corresponding to different sectors and industries. Each phase is held across different dates. It’s important to check ahead of time which phase is most relevant to you.

The upcoming Canton Fair 2025 dates are:

Phase 1: 15-19 April 

Phase 2: 23-27 April

Phase 3: 1-5 May

You can learn more about each phase here .

Applying for the Canton Fair

Buyers can register for the Fair here , while those based in Hong Kong can download a pre-registration form and follow the steps outlined here to secure an entry badge. Following your successful registration, you’ll be sent a QR code which you can use to collect your buyer's badge at the Canton Fair or partner locations such as affiliated hotels and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

You can also pick up your entry badges in Guangzhou through affiliated hotels seen here . If you plan to get your entry badges at the Canton Fair Complex, you’ll need to pre-register and apply for a letter of invitation (for Mainland Chinese visa applicants) on the website’s Buyer e-Service System Tool . Applicants will be able to check the approval status, download and print out their “Return Receipt of Buyer Card Pre-registration” within three to seven working days, which they’ll need to present at the fair along with a passport photo and a business card.

If you’re flying into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, entry badges can also be collected at in Terminal 1 and 2, as well as at the Pazhou Ferry Terminal in the Arrivals Hall on the third floor. 

How to get to the Canton Fair

The Canton Fair is hosted biannually at the China Import and Export Fair Complex , commonly referred to as the Canton Fair Complex.

For those travelling in from overseas, we operate a Direct Air+Sea connection – this allows you to combine your flight to Hong Kong with a direct ferry from Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPier to Pazhou, where the Canton Fair is held.* Simply book your journey with us and list your final destination as “Guangzhou, Pazhou Ferry Terminal (PFT)” and we’ll take care of your baggage transfers. We've also put together a full step-by-step guide to getting to Pazhou to make your journey easier.

Once you’ve arrived at Pazhou Ferry Terminal, descend the escalators out of the terminal, turn right and walk along the main road for roughly 200m. You can’t miss the China Import and Export Center complex on the opposite side: take one of the zebra crossings and keep walking towards the building until you reach the security checkpoint. Once you’ve passed security, you’ll be able to ascend the staircase up to the complex and see everything the fair has to offer. 

There are a range of commute options are available for the fair. Shuttle buses run directly from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Terminal 1 and 2 to the fair complex every thirty minutes between 1pm and 6pm, while some hotels will provide shuttles to the fair. Alternatively, you can take the metro directly to Pazhou station on Line 8.

...And how to ensure an effortless journey home

Want to check in early for your ferry back to Hong Kong? Need some guidance on navigating Pazhou Ferry Terminal? We can handle all of this and more from the Cathay booth at the Canton Fair, located in Area A, Pearl River Promenade (Service Floor), A-3-6.

If you’re travelling with us, you’ll unlock a whole suite of perks at our booth, such as our baggage delivery service. Once you’re done exploring the complex, you can check in your bags at our booth and have them delivered to Pazhou Ferry Terminal – a convenient option if you’re carrying lots of samples.

You can also book your ferry tickets to Hong Kong International Airport and check in for your next journey with us, all at our service counter. 

Handy tips

Book your hotel as early as possible

They go like gold dust and become much more costly around the time of the trade event, so it’s advisable to reserve your room early.

Not sure where to stay? Check out our list of the best hotels near Canton Fair. 

Look into your visa situation – and the 240-hour visa-free policy

Stay on top of what your visa requirements are regarding your passport, as the Chinese Mainland has increasingly relaxed restrictions for certain nationalities.

Last year, it was announced  that the Chinese Mainland would be extending its 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign travellers to 240 hours – allowing citizens from over 54 countries to enter China visa-free, on the condition that they will stay in the country for less than 240 hours and have a confirmed departure ticket to another country.

It’s best to keep an eye on information coming from the Chinese consulate or embassy in your country to stay abreast the most recent updates.

Download Alipay and WeChat

The Chinese Mainland has increasingly moved away from physical cash, with people instead paying for goods through digital apps such as Alipay or WeChat . You can link your credit card to the Alipay app, which allows you to make payments as well as book taxis and even order food.

Many people also communicate through WeChat, a popular Chinese messaging and social media platform. To make the most of your networking opportunities, it’s a great idea to familiarise yourself with the app before you get to the fair.

Get prepped with our in-depth breakdown of things to do before travelling to the Chinese Mainland. 

Dress for comfort and be ready to walk

The fair is vast and you’ll easily find yourself walking thousands of steps over the course of your visit. Having a comfortable pair of shoes (or even two pairs to swap between) is key and while you may want to dress to impress, opt for an outfit that’s both smart and practical – you'll find plenty of options when you shop using our Milesback platform .

Strategise your mealtimes

Peak lunch times can be extremely hectic with people lining up at restaurants across the complex. If you can bear to have lunch an hour earlier or later than you normally would, it’s a great way to beat the queues.

Check out our favourite places to eat and drink near the Canton Fair Complex for more inspiration.

Prep your essentials kit

Don’t let being underprepared ruin your Canton Fair experience. Here are a few things you’ll need on hand:

- Your Canton Fair badge

- Business cards (always bring more than you need, just in case) 

- An umbrella

- A water bottle

- A portable phone charger

You can purchase all your essentials and more on the Cathay Shop 

*Direct Air+Sea is available for selected routes on our website. For regions where this service is unavailable, please book via a travel agent. If you're departing from Taiwan China, please purchase your ferry tickets separately. We’ll arrange your bags to be checked through when you check in at your departing airport.

This story was originally published in August 2024 and updated in April 2025.