China's largest trade fair, twice a year in Guangzhou: we plan your travel, business visa, hotel near the Canton Fair Complex, interpreters and factory visits, and travel to trade fairs and industry hubs worldwide.
The Canton Fair is China's largest and longest-running trade fair, held since 1957 and run by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government. It takes place twice a year in Guangzhou, in spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November), at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, one of the largest exhibition centres in the world.
Each session is split into three phases of about five days, each devoted to different industries, so buyers choose the phase that matches what they want to source. Tens of thousands of Chinese manufacturers and exporters exhibit, and there is also an International Pavilion for exhibitors from other countries.
For Indian importers, wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers it is the single most efficient way to meet many suppliers in one trip. Nexara plans the whole journey from Chennai or any Indian city: travel, the China business visa, a hotel near the complex, transfers, interpreters and supplier visits after the fair.
The glass entrance halls of the Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou
Since1957
HeldTwice a year
Phases3 per session
VenuePazhou, Guangzhou
BadgeFree for buyers
Trip length4–10 nights
Covered walkways between the exhibition hallsCanton Tower and the Pearl River, GuangzhouShenzhen, an hour away by high-speed train
When it is held
Spring session
April to May, in three phases of about five days each
Autumn session
October to November, in three phases of about five days each
Between phases
A few changeover days, useful for factory and showroom visits
What each phase covers
Phase 1
Advanced manufacturing
Consumer electronics and information products
Household electrical appliances
Lighting equipment
Industrial automation and machinery
Power and electrical equipment
Hardware and tools
New energy and new-energy vehicles
Vehicles, spare parts and motorcycles
Phase 2
Quality home life
Building and decorative materials
Furniture
Kitchenware and tableware
Household items
Home decorations and gifts
Festival products
Garden products
Toys, pet products and baby care
Phase 3
Fashion, health and food
Textiles and garments
Shoes, bags and fashion accessories
Home textiles and carpets
Office supplies and stationery
Medicines, health products and medical devices
Food and beverages
Sports, travel and leisure products
Personal care and bathroom products
How to visit the Canton Fair from India
Choose your phase
Pick the phase that matches your products. Many buyers cover two phases; the gap between them is a good time for factory visits.
Register as a buyer
Pre-register free on the Canton Fair's official Buyer Service System or app with your passport and company details. First-time buyers receive the invitation letter through the same system.
Apply for your China visa
Indian passport holders need a visa for mainland China. Most buyers apply for a business (M) visa with the fair's invitation letter; the name and passport number must match on the letter, the visa and the badge.
Book your travel and hotel early
Fix your travel as soon as you know your phase. Hotels near the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou fill up and raise prices months before each session.
Collect your badge
First-time buyers collect the buyer badge at the registration counters in Guangzhou, including at the airport and at the complex; returning buyers can reuse their badge.
Visit, then follow up
Walk the halls with an interpreter if you need one, collect catalogues and quotes, and leave a day or two to visit shortlisted factories in Guangzhou, Foshan or Shenzhen.
What we arrange
Travel from Chennai or any Indian city, timed to your phase
China business (M) visa guidance and document checklist
Buyer registration and invitation-letter guidance
Hotels near the Canton Fair Complex, booked as soon as dates are fixed
Airport and daily fair transfers, or a metro card for Pazhou
English-Chinese interpreters, booked by the day
Factory and showroom visits in Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen and Yiwu
Group delegations for associations, chambers of commerce and companies
Local SIM or eSIM, and forex or a travel card for China
Travel insurance for the trip
Tips from the fair floor
Carry plenty of business cards and a short company profile; exhibitors exchange cards first and talk prices later.
Most suppliers quote in US dollars. Ask for the minimum order quantity, lead time and sample cost at the stand.
Google, WhatsApp and Gmail are blocked in mainland China without a roaming plan or an international eSIM, so set that up before you fly. Suppliers mostly use WeChat.
Cash is rarely used: Alipay and WeChat Pay accept many foreign cards, so link yours before you travel.
The halls are huge: wear comfortable shoes, use the fair's app or map, and plan each day by hall and zone.
Metro Line 8 stops at Xingang East and Pazhou stations, right beside the complex, and is the fastest way in each morning.
Tell us your products, the phase and how many are travelling. A planner replies on WhatsApp with a travel plan, hotel options near Pazhou and a written quote.
Canton Fair questions
When is the Canton Fair held?
Twice a year in Guangzhou: a spring session in April and May and an autumn session in October and November, each in three phases of about five days. The organiser announces the exact dates a few months ahead, and we confirm them before booking any non-refundable travel.
Do Indians need a visa for the Canton Fair?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for mainland China. Most buyers apply for a business (M) visa using the invitation letter from the fair's Buyer Service System. We help with the checklist, but visa decisions are made by the Chinese visa office.
Is the Canton Fair free to attend?
Yes. The buyer badge is free for overseas buyers who register in advance. You pay only for your travel, visa, hotel and any services such as interpreters.
Which phase should I attend?
Phase 1 is for electronics, appliances, machinery, tools, energy and vehicles; Phase 2 for building materials, furniture, kitchenware, home goods and gifts; Phase 3 for textiles, garments, shoes, bags, office supplies, health products and food. Tell us your products and we will suggest the phase.
How many days do I need?
Four to six nights covers one phase with a spare day for meetings. To cover two phases, plan nine to ten nights; to visit factories after the fair, add two to four nights in Foshan, Shenzhen or Yiwu.
How do I get from India to Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a large international airport with good connections from Indian cities. We plan the route from your city, timed to your phase, along with transfers to your hotel near the fair.
Can you arrange an interpreter and factory visits?
Yes. We book English-Chinese interpreters by the day and arrange transport for factory and showroom visits. Supplier introductions and factory access depend on the companies themselves.
Can you plan a group delegation?
Yes. We plan Canton Fair delegations for associations, chambers of commerce and companies, with group travel, hotels together near the complex, transfers and a shared day-by-day plan.
Session dates, phase layouts and registration rules are set by the organiser and change each season; we confirm them before booking any non-refundable travel.
The Consumer Technology Association's annual technology show, centred on the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is a trade event for industry professionals, and attendees register in advance.
One of the largest healthcare and medical-device exhibitions in the world, at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, with labs exhibits at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Spring session (April–May) and autumn session (October–November), each in three phases
Technology & electronics
Manufacturing & machinery
Consumer products & home
Textiles & fashion
Healthcare & medical
Food & beverage
About this event
China's largest trade fair, held twice a year at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou. Phase one covers electronics, machinery and vehicles; phase two housewares, gifts and building materials; phase three textiles, fashion, toys, medical and food products. Buyers register online in advance.
Latin America's largest agricultural technology fair, with field demonstrations of machinery, irrigation and agribusiness technology in São Paulo state.
No exact match in our list yet. We plan trips worldwide, so tell us where you want to go.
Exact dates change from year to year. We confirm them with the organiser before booking any non-refundable travel. Visitor registration, badges and admission rules are set by each organiser.
B · Import, export & sourcing
Sourcing trips, planned around your suppliers
For entrepreneurs, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, importers, exporters and procurement teams travelling anywhere in the world. Tell us the country, city, industry and objective; we plan the travel and the timing around your meetings.
International product sourcing
Supplier and manufacturer visits
Wholesale market exploration
Procurement trips
Export market exploration
Business networking
Manufacturing and industrial visits
Trade exhibition itineraries
Custom business delegations
Supplier introductions and factory access depend on the companies themselves; we arrange the travel, transfers and local support around the visits you set up or request.
C · Manufacturing & industry tours
Industrial clusters around the world
Every region has its own specialities. Choose an industry to see where it is concentrated, or search any city.
Mining technology, resources and energy services for Western Australia.
Manufacturing & machinery
No exact match in our list yet. We plan trips worldwide, so tell us where you want to go.
D · Corporate & executive travel
Delegations, conferences and incentive trips
One planner for the whole group: flights from your city, hotels near the venue, transfers and a shared day-by-day plan.
Corporate delegationsGroup flights, hotels near the venue, transfers and a shared programme for the whole team.
International conferencesTravel built around the conference dates, with time added for meetings or sightseeing.
Executive meetingsShort, tightly timed trips with private transfers and business hotels.
Industry association groupsItineraries for chambers of commerce and trade bodies, including fair visits.
Incentive travelReward trips for teams and dealers, from city breaks to cruises.
Company visits and business exchangesVisits arranged through your contacts or the host organisation, with travel around them.
E · Business trip planner
Create your business itinerary
Five quick steps. Multi-country trips are fine: add every city you need.
Visa, passport, transit, health and insurance requirements depend on your nationality and route. We point you to the official sources and help with documents, but entry and visa decisions are made by the authorities, and we cannot promise approval.