The complete guide for planning your trip to the Canton Fair

The Canton Fair is held every six months on the island of Pazhou, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou).

This is the biggest Commercial Exhibition Fair on the planet. Just to cite a few numbers, in the Spring edition of 2015, some 24,713 manufacturing companies (or wholesalers) participated and 184,801 foreign importers.

In this article you’ll find all you’ll need to plan your trip to the fair. Specifically, we will cover the following topics:

• When does the Canton Fair begin?

• How to sign up for the Canton Fair

• Visa for the Canton Fair

• International flights to China

• How to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai

• Hotels for the Canton Fair

• Health Insurance

• Internet and communications

• Getting around Guangzhou by taxi or metro

• Translators

When is the Canton Fair held?

The next one will begin October 15th:

Phase 1: October 15-19, 2015

Phase 1 is dedicated to the following categories and products: Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances, Lighting Equipment, Vehicles & Spare Parts, Machinery, Hardware & Tools, Energy Resources, Chemical Products, Building Materials.

Phase 2: October 23-27, 2015

Phase 2 is dedicated to the following categories and products: Consumer Goods, Home Decorations, Gifts.

Phase 3: October 31 – November 4, 2015

Phase 3 is dedicated to the following categories and products: Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, Recreation Products, Food, Medicines, Medical Devices and Health Products, Textiles & Garments, Shoes.

How to sign up for the Canton Fair

To get into the fair, you’ll first need to register, by filling out this form. Your application will be approved within 3 business days.

Once you receive an approval email, you can then log in by clicking here and request your IC Card (or the identification badge to get into the fair). To learn more about requesting your IC Card, click here.

You will also receive an invitation letter, which you can use to apply for a visa (required to enter China legally).

Note that registering is free (so long as you don’t have a Chinese passport, in which case you’ll have to pay 300 Yuan each day!).

One last bit of advice: remember to bring your passport with you since it is necessary for entering the fair.

Visa for the Canton Fair

The most appropriate visa for the Canton Fair is without a doubt a business visa (also called “M visa”). Once you get the invitation letter, you can request the visa at the CVASC, Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your own country (here you’ll find a complete list). Click here to read our complete guide on Chinese business visas.

International flights to China

Despite the fact that Guangzhou has an international airport, the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, there are no direct flights from Europe or the United States. It’s usually much easier to land at Hong Kong International Airport (and then take the train to Guangzhou, see the next section) or the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (and then take a domestic flight to Guangzhou).
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/canton-fair-trip/