As a frequenter of Canton Fair, We have summarized some must-read guides for those who are the first time to visit Canton Fair or not familiar with here. If you’ve never heard of the Canton Fair, it is the largest whole supplier trade show in the world where thousands of vendors and buyers attend. 

Here are some statistics for this past year：

Number of Exhibitors: 25,049 exhibitors

Number of Overseas Buyers: 191,950 buyers

Number of Booths: 60,466 standard booths

Exhibition Space: 1,185,000 square meters 

That’s crazy!

Compare that to going through Alibaba and having samples mailed internationally back and forth and you’ll soon realize that attending the Canton Fair will save you an enormous amount of time and headache. Now, let’s get straight to the point and check the FAQs:

1. When and where is the Canton Fair?

Name: China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair for short) 

Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex

Address: No.382, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510335, China Tel: 4000-888-999 (The Chinese Mainland) 

86-20-28-888-999 (Outside the Chinese Mainland)

E-mail: info@cantonfair.org.cn

Website: www.cantonfair.org.cn   www.cftc.org.cn

Phase 1: 15th-19th October 2019 9:30-18:00

Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances

Lighting Equipment

Vehicles & Spare Parts

Machinery

Hardware & Tools

Building Materials

Chemical Products

Energy Resources

International Pavilion

Phase 2: 23rd-27th October 2019 9:30-18:00

Consumer Goods

Gifts

Home Decorations

Phase 3: 31st Oct.-4th Nov. 2019 9:30 - 18:00

Textiles & Garments

Shoes

Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, 

and Recreation Products

Medicines, Medical Devices and 

Health Products

Food

International Pavilion

2. How do I get to the Canton Fair?

If you land in Hong Kong, you have a lot of choices to go to Guangzhou. For train, it would be better to book your ticket in advance and leave enough time. 

(1) Take the MTR to the Austin Station, then walk to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to take the High Speed Train, from there, stay on the train until Guangzhou South Station. The price of the trip by train is about 200-300 yuan, lasting about 1 hour. 

(2) Take the airport express or bus to Guangzhou directly

(3) Take the airport express, bus, or taxi to the West Kowloon Station, then take the High-Speed Train 

If you land in Guanzhou, it is much easier. You can choose the subway or take the Taxi. Speaking of taxis, it would be better to stick to taxi ranks and stand when you hit the road from the airport or train station. Don’t take the unlicensed cars for you you will be overcharged with a roundabout way.

3. How to book a hotel?

Luxury hotels (5 Star) near the Canton Fair Complex
Shangri-La Hotel
The Shangri-La Hotel is close to the financial district and just a short walk to the International Convention Center, an ideal option for businessmen attending the City’s Fair. There is a business center and several function rooms within the hotel and the 24-hour front desk will arrange transfers to the airport, 30 minutes away. Every room has Wi-Fi and there are plenty of facilities helping guests to relax after a busy day. The fitness center, sauna, indoor and outdoor pools and spa are enticing while those with family will find plenty for children; playground, pool and kid’s club. There are bar, coffee shop and restaurants with a variety of international cuisine. The Shangri-La definitely earns points for its staff and comfort provided even if it is not cheap to stay.

Langham Place Guangzhou
The Langham Place Guangzhou is located in the restaurants, shopping, and business district of Guangzhou, just a minute from the venue for the Canton Fair. The English speaking 24-hour front desk is on hand to organise help with transport and businessmen have the use of a center as well as meeting rooms. There is Wi-Fi throughout and bar, shops, coffee shop and restaurants for guests’ enjoyment. The hotel does not forget the need for guests to relax; a golf course is on site as well as a fitness center, indoor pool, sauna and spa and a lovely garden. This hotel is not cheap but overall wins guest approval on most fronts.

The Westin Pazhou Hotel
The Westin Pazhou Hotel is in the Pazhou Exhibition Center Area, thereby conveniently placed for the Canton Fair. There is a 24 hour front desk offering help with airport transfers and room service all hours of day and night. Business center and meeting facilities are available for guests and Wi-Fi is in public areas. German, Russian and English makes it an ideal hotel for international travelers. Some rooms have a private pool but guests as a whole can enjoy recreational facilities which include a fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, spa and tennis courts. There are shops as well as bar, coffee shop and restaurant. A smoking area has been set aside in the hotel. Some guests argue its quality status but overall get excellent reviews.

Mid-range hotels near the Canton Fair Complex
The Regal Riviera Hotel
The Regal Riviera Hotel provides utility accommodation with good transport links for businessmen. There are over 100 rooms of varying kinds all with Wi-Fi which is also available in public areas. There are plenty of places to relax including the restaurant with international cuisine. Meeting rooms can be arranged on request. Bar and nightclub facilities are also on site. There is a fitness center and indoor pool, steam room and sauna while guest can also enjoy a pleasant garden. English is spoken but sometimes comunication can be a issue in order to obtain the best service. The 24 hour desk can arrange tours, shuttle and airport transfer.

Aloft Guangzhou Hotel University Park
The Aloft Guangzhou Hotel University Park Comfortable and clean hotel, however the location and communications aren’t ideal. It is 8 km away from the Canton Fair and 16 from the city center. There are 272 rooms on 9 levels, all with Wi-Fi which is also in all public areas. The front desk is open for 24 hours and English is spoken, but not properly. Guests have use of a bar and restaurant while there is a fitness center, indoor pool and billiards. There is a laundry service and guests are able to rent bicycles. Businessmen will find meeting facilities available for their use.

Aloft Guangzhou Tianhe
There’s a lot to explore during your visit to the ‘City of Flowers’ – why not start with the Canton Tower, Guangzhou Opera House and Guangdong Museum. And a visit to Guangzhou is just not complete without sampling the delicious local Cantonese cuisine and experiencing the legendary nightlife, all in the local area.
The Aloft Guangzhou Tianhe was recently opened in 2016, making it a fantastic choice for those staying in Guangzhou. From the property, it's easy to reach the Tianhe Stadium and Guangzhou East Railway Station Area, just 1km away.

4. Traveling Guide

A. Canton Tower

Whether seeing them from the outside or going inside, these two towers are big attractions to witness the development of Guangzhou.

The Canton Tower, China's tallest tower and world’s second tallest tower, has a special observatory, a 1000-meter plank, and a Ferris wheel on top of the tower. 

B. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall-Folk Craft Museum   

A must-see attraction, with a history of more than 100 years and still in its original shape. Museums and old architectural structures in Guangzhou are the best places to learn about the history and stories of the city. The Chen Family Ancestral Temple is a concentration of ancient Chinese architecture, carvings, and paintings, as well as a museum of folk handicrafts.

C. Shamian Island

The colonial history brought colorful overseas cultures to Guangzhou and they merged with the local culture in the following decades. Guangzhou still preserves historical buildings and old streets in the traditional Chinese style but you can find a series of well-designed British and French architectural structures in Shamian Island.

D. Chimelong Safari Park

The main theme park, Chimelong, is not quite world-class like Hong Kong's Ocean Park and Disneyland, but it has still won high acclaim. It is a theme park cluster:

l Safari Park (rated #2 for Things to Do in Guangzhou on Trip Adviser)

l Chimelong Circus

l The amusement park with thrill rides

l Chimelong Water Park

E. Guangzhou Museum   

Perched on top of Yuexiu Hill, this five-story tower (also known as the Five-Story Pagoda) was built by Zhu Liangzu, one of the rulers of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in testimony of his power.

5. Do I need a translator?

99% of the people in the booths can speak English, and you can communicate with them for basic information. If you are still worrying or not good at English, you can use translation APPs or tools. Certainly, an interpreter is far more convenient. 

You can book an interpreter in advance online. There are many websites offer the service with specific prices, like HRC:

http://www.cantontradefair.com/fairassistance/interpretationservice.aspx 

You can also look for a professional translator at the entrance of the Canton Fair, they will hold on a banner there.

6. How to use Facebook, WhatsApp, Ins, etc.?

One of the things you must know is that you can’t use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and WhatsApp. If you want to get access to the aforementioned APP or website, there are two ways recommended.

A. Buy VPN service

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

VyprVPN

PureVPN

Buffered VPN

B. You can consult your carrier if there are any related services, like Verizon’s Travel Pass. 

7. Is China safe enough? What should I pay attention to?

China is quite safe. Typically, you can hang out at deep night even if you are a woman. Stealing is seldom in recent years because most of the people living in China now tend to use Alipay and Wechat Pay with cellphone. But still, you should beware of the counterfeit money and trick in the railway station area. 

It is inexpensive to shopping in Guangzhou, but there are many high copy products you should pay attention to. It is not hard to tell them among the others---Don't buy an iPad with a screaming price, like $20. You can rest assured to shopping at the formal shopping malls and counters. If there are any emergencies, you can turn to the police nearby. 

One last suggestion, you’d better have some of your important information written down in Chinese, especially your hotel name. Elderly taxi drivers basically can only understand “hello” and “Bye” in English. Here we listed some words and sentences you may need.

Name: China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair for short) 中国进出口商品交易会(广交会）

Address: No.382, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510335, China 中国广州阅江中路382号

Bank 银行

Restaurant 餐厅

Toilet 厕所

Shopping mall 商场

Airport 机场

Taxi 的士

Bus 公交

Subway 地铁

Police 警察

How much? 多少钱？

How to get there? 怎么走？

For more questions, please leave us a message. We are happy to help you find out the solutions. 

If you are engaged in the building materials and equipment, welcome to visit our booth ADTO Group for the latest industry trends and newly launched products at a favorable price. 

Booth No.: 11.2 G30/31/32/33/34 H13/14/15/16