Canton Fair checklist: what to sort out before you fly

The fair is held twice a year in Pazhou, in spring and autumn, with each session split into phases by product category. These are the practical things that make the trip easier.

Dates, registration and entry rules change. Check the official Canton Fair website and your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest.

Entry

Many nationalities can now enter China visa-free for short stays, and travellers passing through to a third country may qualify for visa-free transit. Rules depend on your passport, so confirm before booking. Buyers who need a visa can usually request an invitation through the fair’s registration system.

Mobile data

Google services, WhatsApp and many Western apps do not work on mainland Chinese networks. Many visitors buy a travel eSIM before departure. Because the data is routed through an overseas carrier, those apps usually keep working, and you avoid hunting for a SIM card on arrival.

Apps to install

• Alipay and WeChat: for paying almost everywhere. See how to pay as a foreigner.
• DiDi: China’s ride-hailing app. It has an English interface and you can paste the Chinese addresses from this guide.
• A map app: Apple Maps works well in China. Google Maps is unreliable here.
• A translation app that can translate photos of menus.

Getting to the halls

The complex is served by Metro Line 8, at Xingangdong and Pazhou stations, and by the Haizhu Tram. Check which station is closest to your hall before you set off. Taxi queues get long when the halls close in the late afternoon, so the metro is often faster.

Where to stay

Staying in Pazhou puts you within walking distance of the halls, but prices rise sharply during the fair. Zhujiang New Town, across the river, has more choice and is a short metro ride away. Book early either way.