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Canton Fair & Sourcing

Built around one phase of the Canton Fair, China's largest trade fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou. Three days at the fair complex in Pazhou, a factory and showroom day in Foshan, then a short flight to Yiwu for the world's largest small-commodities wholesale market. Hotels within metro reach of the fair, interpreters on fair and market days, and an evening to rest between.

  1. Guangzhou4 nights
  2. Yiwu2 nights
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Canton Tower lit up at night in Guangzhou
Photo: Daniel Lu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day by Day

The route, day by day

Transfer times are typical door-to-door or train times and are confirmed against live schedules when we quote.

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Guangzhou, badge and orientation

    Arrive the day before the phase opens. First-time buyers pre-register online and collect the buyer badge; returning buyers bring their existing badge. Evening briefing with the interpreter on the product categories and halls to cover.

    TransferPrivate airport transfer, about 45–60 minutes from Baiyun airport OvernightGuangzhou
  2. Day 2–3

    Canton Fair, Pazhou complex

    Two full days in the halls for the client's phase and categories, with an interpreter. Day 2 for walking the halls and shortlisting; day 3 for return meetings with the shortlisted exhibitors. The metro is more predictable than road traffic at opening and closing time.

    TransferMetro Line 8 to Xingangdong or Pazhou, or private vehicle OvernightGuangzhou
  3. Day 4

    Foshan factories and showrooms

    Foshan, next to Guangzhou, is a manufacturing centre for furniture, ceramics, lighting and household goods. Visits are set up around the client's categories and the exhibitors met at the fair.

    TransferPrivate vehicle, about 1 hour each way OvernightGuangzhou
  4. Day 5

    Fly to Yiwu

    Afternoon orientation walk through the first districts of the Yiwu International Trade City.

    TransferDomestic flight Guangzhou to Yiwu, about 2 hours OvernightYiwu
  5. Day 6

    Yiwu International Trade City

    A full day in the districts that match the client's buying list, with an interpreter. Evening for consolidating orders and quotes.

    OvernightYiwu
  6. Day 7

    Depart via Hangzhou or Shanghai

    Connect to the international flight from Hangzhou or Shanghai, or fly home from Yiwu if connections suit.

    TransferHigh-speed train to Hangzhou East, under an hour, or to Shanghai, about 2 hours Overnight—
Before You Sell

Entry, season and planning notes

Entry route

Business visits are covered by 30-day visa-free entry for unilateral and mutual-exemption passports. Indian, Nigerian, Kenyan and other visa-required buyers apply for the appropriate visa; we supply hotel confirmations and an itinerary for the application.

When to go

Spring session mid-April to early May and autumn session mid-October to early November, each in three five-day phases by product sector. The 2027 dates were not officially confirmed at the time of writing; the expected spring phases are 15–19 April, 23–27 April and 1–5 May 2027.

Planning notes

  • Book fair-week hotels first. Rates near Pazhou rise sharply during each phase and the good-value rooms go early.
  • Choose the phase by product category, not by date. Each phase has completely different exhibitors in the same halls.
  • Confirm the session dates on the official Canton Fair site before buying non-refundable flights.
  • Halal and vegetarian dining is easy to arrange in Guangzhou, which has a long-established Hui community; Yiwu has a large Middle Eastern and South Asian trading community with restaurants to match.
Along the Way

On this route

Entrance gate to District 3 of the Yiwu International Trade Market
Photo: Whisper of the heart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A white and red Fuxing high-speed train on the line through open country
Photo: Samson Ng, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Destinations

City guides for this route

Canton Fair City

Guangzhou

Guangzhou destination guide for agents: Canton Fair logistics in Pazhou, fair-week hotels, Foshan factory days, Cantonese food and halal options.

Wholesale Market City

Yiwu

Yiwu destination guide for agents: International Trade City districts, buyer itineraries, interpreters, getting there from Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.
FAQ

Questions agents ask about this route

Which Canton Fair phase should my client attend?

The one that covers their product category. Phase 1 is broadly electronics, machinery, vehicles, hardware and energy; phase 2 home goods, gifts, furniture, ceramics and building materials; phase 3 textiles, fashion, toys, health and food. The organiser publishes the exact category list per session.

Can the programme cover two phases?

Yes. There are three days between phases while halls are changed over, which can be used for factory visits in Foshan or the Pearl River Delta before the second phase opens.

Do you arrange interpreters?

Yes, for fair days, factory visits and the Yiwu market. We brief them on the client's product categories beforehand.

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Quote Canton Fair & Sourcing for your clients

Updated 2 November 2026. An indicative framework, re-paced and priced for every brief.