Photo: ctnavas / Google MapsCanton Fair 2026: Hotels & Travel Guide
15 October to 4 November 2026 Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou) 200,000+ international buyers · ~30,000 exhibitors · 3 phases
- Hotels sorted by distance to the venue
- Company invoices
- Free-cancellation rooms
- Personalised quotes within 24 hours
The Canton Fair is the world's largest trade fair: three phases, thousands of exhibition booths, and more than 200,000 international buyers descending on Guangzhou every spring and autumn. It is also one of the hardest business trips to plan well: hotels near the Pazhou complex sell out weeks in advance, rates roughly double during fair weeks, and the difference between a good trip and an exhausting one usually comes down to where you sleep. This page is everything we know about doing the fair properly (the hotels buyers actually stay in, how to get from the airport to Pazhou, where to eat after a twelve-hour day on the halls, and the entry rules for 2026), with live hotel rates for your phase, bookable in one checkout.
Why book Canton Fair travel here
- Hotels chosen for fair-goers: walking distance, metro access or a free fair shuttle, not a generic city list.
- Phase-aware dates: pick your phase and we preset the right check-in and check-out.
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised, so a schedule change does not cost you the room.
- Real fair intelligence: registration-desk hotels, shuttle quirks, and the areas veteran buyers choose.
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou) for Canton Fair 2026
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Plan your stay
Rates shown for your dates: Sun, Jan 31 → Wed, Feb 3.
Hotel rates in Guangzhou roughly double during fair weeks, and walkable Pazhou rooms are usually gone 6 to 8 weeks before each phase. Booking a free-cancellation rate early costs nothing and locks the price.
Walk to the fair
5 to 15 min walkNo traffic, no queues, and back in your room ten minutes after the halls close. These sell out first: book the moment your phase is confirmed.
Budget + shuttle
Free fair-day shuttles / 30 to 40 min metroThe old-school Canton Fair hotels: registration desks in the lobby, free shuttle buses on fair days, and half the nightly rate of Pazhou. What they cost you in commute they pay back in service built around the fair.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Free Canton Fair Insider Guide
Do Canton Fair the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional Canton Fair hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Booking hotels for a team at Canton Fair?
Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou). If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart, all on one company invoice. Corporate accommodation for Canton Fair
How do you get to Canton Fair?
Flying in: Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
- Baiyun is one of Asia's biggest hubs with direct flights from most major cities. Terminal 3 opened in late 2025. Most international flights still use T1/T2, but check your terminal before flying.
- Hong Kong (HKG) is a common alternative: high-speed rail from West Kowloon reaches Guangzhou South in under an hour, then metro or taxi into the city.
Airport → your hotel
- Metro: Line 3 from the airport, change at Kecun to Line 8 for Pazhou, about 70 to 80 minutes all in.
- Airport to Pazhou intercity rail: direct trains run from Baiyun airport to Pazhou station. Book via the 12306 app or "Guangdong Intercity" on WeChat.
- Taxi: 50 to 60 minutes to Pazhou or the city centre, roughly ¥160 to 180. Use the official taxi rank; have your hotel name in Chinese ready.
- During fair phases, dedicated shuttle buses also run between the airport and the fair complex.
How do you get around during Canton Fair?
Getting to the fair each morning
- Metro Line 8 is the fair workhorse: Xingangdong and Pazhou stations are both a short walk from the halls. Pazhou is now also an interchange with the Line 11 loop.
- Buy a Yang Cheng Tong transit card or use the Guangzhou Metro app. Queues for single-journey tickets get long on fair mornings.
- Appointed hotels (Garden Hotel, White Swan and others) run free shuttles on fair days, typically out around 8:30am and back around 5:45pm.
- Shuttle quirk worth knowing: on the final day of each phase, hotel shuttles usually run inbound only. Plan your own ride back.
- Taxis and DiDi (China's Uber) are cheap and plentiful, but expect surge queues at the complex when the halls close at 6pm.
Payments & connectivity
- Guangzhou is nearly cashless: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your international card before you fly; both have foreigner-friendly onboarding now.
- Google, WhatsApp and Gmail need a VPN or an international roaming eSIM (roaming data bypasses the firewall). Sort this before arrival.
- Hall Wi-Fi is patchy on busy days. An eSIM with generous data is the safest way to stay reachable for supplier follow-ups.
Where should you eat during Canton Fair?
Pazhou itself is exhibition halls and not much else. Plan your dinners across the river. Guangzhou is arguably China's greatest food city; these are the places buyers actually go, from dim sum institutions to late-night Cantonese after a 12-hour fair day.
Photo: CN Ong / Google Maps¥¥Bingsheng Pinwei
The Cantonese restaurant Guangzhou locals recommend to visitors: roast goose and seafood done properly, close enough to Pazhou for a post-fair dinner.
💡 Go before 6:30pm or queue: fair weeks are packed.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Savoir Aimer (Admin) / Google Maps¥¥Guangzhou Restaurant
Operating since 1935: the definition of old-school Cantonese. Take a supplier here for lunch and you will not need to fill the conversation.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Maison Ray / Google Maps¥¥Tao Tao Ju
A 140-year-old teahouse doing some of the best har gow and cheung fun in the city. Weekend morning dim sum here is the classic Guangzhou experience.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: 賀羿筑 / Google Maps¥Dian Dou De
Beloved dim sum chain with branches across the city and late hours: the reliable answer when you leave the halls at 8pm and need real food fast.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: 劉俊生 / Google Maps¥¥¥Zhujiang New Town dining strip
The CBD around Huacheng Square has the city's international restaurants, craft beer and cocktail bars, where most Western buyer dinners end up.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Victor Humper / Google Maps¥¥¥Jiang by Chef Fei
Two Michelin stars and arguably the best refined Cantonese in the city: the room for the supplier dinner that closes the order book.
💡 Book before you fly: fair-week evenings go first; lunch is easier.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Eva Delawalla / Google Maps¥¥¥Lei Garden
The Hong Kong Michelin group at Guangzhou prices: impeccable roast meats and double-boiled soups. Safe, impressive and bookable for groups.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: CN Ong / Google Maps¥¥¥Bingsheng Mansion
Bingsheng's flagship: private rooms, ceremonial service and the char siu the group is famous for. Where Guangzhou hosts its own business dinners.
💡 Ask for a private room for supplier negotiations. Book 2 to 3 days ahead.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: raymond lo / Google Maps¥¥Panxi Restaurant
A lakeside garden restaurant from 1947: pavilions over the water and classic dim sum. The scenic long lunch for a between-phases rest day.
Open in Google MapsBetween phases & after the fair
Attending two phases? You have a three-day gap (20 to 22 Oct or 28 to 30 Oct), enough for the city's highlights or a side trip. Even on a single phase, keep one evening for the river.
- Pearl River night cruise: the skyline and Canton Tower lit up, done in two hours.
- Shamian Island + old town walk: colonial architecture, quiet streets, and the antidote to exhibition halls.
- Day trip: Hong Kong or Shenzhen by high-speed rail in under an hour each way.
After the halls close: Guangzhou
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after Canton Fair: bookable experiences in Guangzhou, same account, same checkout.
Do you need a visa for Canton Fair?
Visa-free entry (30 days): most of Europe, UK, Australia & more
- China currently grants 30-day visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders from ~48 countries (including most of the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea), and business visits qualify. The policy currently runs to 31 December 2026.
- If your country is on the list, you can attend any full phase (or all three) without a visa.
US citizens & others: 240-hour visa-free transit
- Travellers from 55 countries including the US can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit: arrive via Guangzhou, depart to a different country or region (Hong Kong counts) within 240 hours. Business activities are permitted: 10 days covers a full phase comfortably.
- You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region when you check in.
Invitation letters & M visas
- If you need a full M (business) visa, the fair issues invitation letters through its official invitation system. Apply well before your embassy appointment.
- Your buyer badge registration is separate from your visa. See the first-timer section below.
Entry rules change and your situation may differ. Verify against official Chinese government sources (nia.gov.cn) or your embassy before booking flights. Last reviewed July 2026.
First time at Canton Fair?
- Register for your buyer badge online before you travel, then collect it at the complex or at an appointed hotel registration desk (Garden Hotel and White Swan both host them). Doing it at your hotel the evening you land saves an hour of queueing at the halls.
- Book your phase, not "the fair": each phase is a different fair with different products. Confirm which phase your product category is in before booking anything.
- The complex is enormous: over a million square metres. Plan your halls the night before using the official app, and wear shoes you would hike in.
- Bring business cards (double-sided, one side Chinese if possible): card exchange is still how the fair runs. A portable battery pack is non-negotiable.
- Suppliers will WeChat you, not email you. Set up WeChat before you fly and put your WeChat QR on your card.
Insider tips
- The last day of each phase winds down early: many exhibitors start packing after lunch. Do serious supplier meetings on days 1 to 3.
- Evening flights out of CAN on the last day of a phase are brutal for traffic. If you can, fly the morning after.
Canton Fair travel FAQs
When is the Canton Fair in autumn 2026?
The 140th Canton Fair runs in three phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou: Phase 1 on 15 to 19 October (electronics, machinery, vehicles), Phase 2 on 23 to 27 October (consumer goods, gifts, home) and Phase 3 on 31 October to 4 November 2026 (textiles, shoes, food, health). Halls are open 9:30am to 6pm.
Where should I stay for the Canton Fair?
Three areas work: Pazhou if you want to walk to the halls (premium, sells out first), Zhujiang New Town for the best restaurants with a 15 to 25 minute commute, and the Yuexiu classics like the Garden Hotel and White Swan for value plus free fair-day shuttles and in-hotel badge registration.
How much do hotels cost during the Canton Fair?
Expect fair-week rates to run roughly double normal Guangzhou prices, with walkable Pazhou hotels at the premium end. Rates climb as each phase approaches. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
Do I need a visa to attend the Canton Fair?
Citizens of ~48 countries (most of the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, Korea and more) currently enter China visa-free for 30 days, and business visits qualify. US citizens can use the 240-hour visa-free transit via Guangzhou with an onward ticket to a third country or region such as Hong Kong. Rules change. Verify with official sources before booking.
How do I get from Guangzhou airport to the fair?
Metro Line 3 then Line 8 to Pazhou takes about 70 to 80 minutes; a direct airport to Pazhou intercity train runs from the airport; a taxi takes 50 to 60 minutes and costs roughly ¥160 to 180. During fair phases, shuttle buses also connect the airport and the complex.
Which hotels run free shuttles to the Canton Fair?
Appointed fair hotels, including the Garden Hotel and White Swan (which also runs a ferry), operate free shuttles on fair days, typically leaving around 8:30am and returning around 5:45pm. Note that on the last day of each phase, shuttles usually run inbound only. Always reconfirm times with your hotel.
Can I book a hotel for just one phase?
Yes. Pick your phase above and we preset the dates (arriving the day before it opens, leaving the day after it closes). Attending two phases? Book straight through and use the three gap days for the city or a Hong Kong side trip.
Is EventEscapes affiliated with the Canton Fair?
No. We are an independent travel platform. Buyer badges and invitations come from the fair's official channels; we handle the travel side: the right hotel, honest fair-week pricing and free-cancellation flexibility.
Register for your buyer badge
Your entry badge is separate from your hotel. Get it free from the official Canton Fair portal before you travel (or collect it at a registration-desk hotel on arrival). We handle the travel; the fair handles the badge.
Which hotels are closest to Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou)?
The closest hotels to the venue with the distance, the walk or ride time and an indicative nightly rate, refreshed weekly. Live prices for your exact dates are in the booking section above. Last checked 2 November 2026.
Cheap and 3 star hotels near Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou)
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yitel Hotel(Guangzhou Pazhou Exhibition Center Canton Tower)★★★ | 1.3 km | ~6 min ride | US$48 |
| Raffles Executive Apartment - Guangzhou Huijin International Finance Center, Keyun Road Metro Statio★★★ | 2.1 km | ~8 min ride | US$50 |
More hotels close to Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou)
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Xing Yi International Apartment - Poly World Branch★★★★ | 0.5 km | ~8 min walk | US$90 |
| Silin Residence Poly World Trading Center★★★★ | 0.7 km | ~11 min walk | US$76 |
| SAVHE Hotel Guangzhou Financial City★★★★★ | 1.9 km | ~8 min ride | US$158 |
| Langham Place, Guangzhou★★★★★ | 2.1 km | ~8 min ride | US$113 |
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to China Import and Export Fair (140th Session)or its organizers. Buyer registration, badges and invitations are handled by the fair's official channels. We handle the travel.
Event dates, transport, shuttle schedules and entry rules change. Verify critical details against the official event site before travelling. Content last reviewed July 2026.