2026 Spring Canton Fair Guide for Buyers: Exhibition Visit, Transportation, Accommodation,Restaurants

2026 Spring Canton Fair Guide for Buyers: Exhibition Visit, Transportation, Accommodation,Restaurants

Written by: wendy@hsysourcing.com Published:2026-1-8

For buyers attending the 2026 Spring Canton Fair (expected to be held in mid-April to early May, divided into three phases), the core goals are efficient exhibition visiting, convenient transportation, and comfortable accommodation. This guide integrates product zone division, direct metro access information, 4-5 star hotel comparison and price reference to help you participate in the fair efficiently.

I. Exhibition Visiting Guide (Three-Phase Themes & Exhibition Zone Distribution)

(1) Exhibition Phases & Core Product Categories (Based on previous sessions, subject to official announcement in 2026)

PhaseExpected TimeCore Product CategoriesCorresponding Exhibition Halls
Phase 1April 15-19Electronic appliances, Manufacturing, Vehicles & Two Wheels, Light & Electrical, Hardware Parts of Halls A/B/C/D
Phase 2April 23-27Houseware,Gift & Decorations,Building & FurnitureMainly Halls A/B/C
Phase 3May 1-5Toys & Children Baby and Maternity,Fashion,Home Textiles,Stationery,Health & Recreation,Traditional Chinese SpecialtiesMainly Hall A

(2) Efficient Exhibition Visiting Tips

  1. Prepare in Advance: Download the “Canton Fair” APP, register a buyer account, query exhibitor directories, exhibits and booth numbers in advance, and plan your daily route; apply for your entry certificate online in advance (overseas buyers can apply at remote certificate processing points such as airports, South Railway Station, and Hong Kong-Macao passenger ports) to avoid on-site queuing.
  2. Visit by Zones:
    • Hall A: Close to Exit A of Xingang East Station on Metro Line 8, focusing on consumer goods, garments, food, etc.
    • Hall B: Close to Exits A/B of Pazhou Station on Metro Line 8 and Exit E of Line 11, focusing on electronic appliances, building materials, etc.
    • Hall C: Close to Exit C of Pazhou Station on Metro Line 8 and Exit F of Line 11, focusing on industrial manufacturing, new energy, etc.; hotels such as Courtyard by Marriott and The Westin are adjacent to Hall C, within walking distance.
    • Hall D: The Friendship Hall features emerging exhibition zones such as service robots, suitable for buyers focusing on AI and intelligent manufacturing.
  3. Time Planning: The fair opens at 9:30 every day; it is recommended to enter before 10:00 to avoid peak hours; the number of visitors decreases after 16:00, which is a good time for in-depth negotiation with exhibitors; some exhibitors may offer price adjustments on the last day of each phase (e.g., 19th/27th/5th), which is suitable for placing orders.
  4. Supporting Services: Catering outlets, coffee shops and rest areas are available in each zone; the Friendship Hall in Hall D has information desks, translation services and free Wi-Fi.

II. Transportation Guide (Metro Priority, with Self-Driving & Taxi Tips)

(1) Direct Metro Access (Highly Recommended, Avoid Traffic Jams & Ensure Punctuality)

1.Core Stations & Exits

Metro LineStationCorresponding Exhibition HallsExit Walking Distance
Line 8Xingang East StationHalls A/DExit AAbout 5 minutes
Line 8Pazhou StationHalls B/CExit A (near Gate 4 of Hall B), Exit B (Halls A/B), Exit C (near Hall C)About 3-5 minutes
Line 11 (Loop Line))Pazhou StationHalls B/CExit E (near Gate 3 of Hall B), Exit F (Huizhan East Road, connecting to Gate 4 of Hall B via covered walkway)About 3 minutes

Note: Pazhou Station is an out-of-station transfer between Line 8 and Line 11, via the ground covered walkway, using blue transfer turnstiles.

2. Metro Routes from Airports/Railway Stations to the Exhibition Venue

  • Baiyun Airport: Take Line 3 North Extension to Tiyuxi Road → transfer to Kecun → transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station/Pazhou Station, about 1 hour.
  • Guangzhou South Railway Station: Take Line 2 to Changgang → transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station/Pazhou Station, about 40 minutes.
  • Guangzhou Railway Station: Take Line 2 to Changgang → transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station/Pazhou Station, about 35 minutes.

(2) Other Transportation Methods

  1. Self-Driving: Parking lots at the exhibition venue are only open to vehicles with valid permits; it is recommended to park at surrounding hotel parking lots (e.g., InterContinental Guangzhou Pazhou, Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou) or public parking lots such as Pazhou New Village and Poly Plaza, with a 10-minute walk to the exhibition venue.
  2. Taxi/Ride-Hailing: Locate “Gate of Hall C of Canton Fair Complex” or “Exit C of Pazhou Station” to avoid traffic congestion at the main entrance of the venue; special pick-up and drop-off points for ride-hailing vehicles are set up on Zhonglu of the Exhibition Venue and South 2nd Road of Huizhan.

III. 4-5 Star Hotel Comparison & Price Reference (Near Pazhou Exhibition Venue)

The following are high-star hotels within a 10-minute walk from the exhibition venue or accessible within one metro stop. The prices are estimated for the 2026 Spring Canton Fair period (about 30%-50% lower during non-fair periods), including breakfast, subject to the booking platform at the time of reservation.

Hotel NameStar RatingLocationWalking Distance to the Exhibition VenueCore AdvantagesRoom TypeEstimated Price (Per Night)
The Westin Pazhou Guangzhou5-starNext to Hall C (No. 681 Fengpu Middle Road)About 2 minutesAdjacent to Hall C, luxurious facilities, official partner hotel of Canton Fair, with shuttle bus to the exhibition venueDeluxe King/Twin Room¥2800-3500
Courtyard by Marriott Guangzhou Pazhou4-starNext to Hall C (No. 671 Fengpu Middle Road)About 3 minutesHigh cost performance, modern and minimalist style, walking distance to Hall C, suitable for business tripsSuperior King/Twin Room¥1200-1800
Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou5-starNo. 1 Huizhan East Road (near Hall A)About 8 minutesRiver-view rooms, 5800 ㎡ outdoor garden, suitable for receiving clients, with shuttle bus to the metro stationDeluxe River-view Room¥2500-3200
Langham Place Guangzhou Pazhou5-starNo. 638 Xingang East Road (near Hall B)About 10 minutesLarge conference facilities, complete Chinese and Western restaurants, suitable for group buyersDeluxe Room¥1800-2500
InterContinental Guangzhou Pazhou5-starNo. 828 Yuejiang Middle Road (near Pazhou Tower)About 10 minutes (or 1 metro stop)River-view rooms, indoor heated swimming pool, suitable for high-end business, walking distance to Wanshengwei StationDeluxe City-view Room¥2000-2800

(3) Accommodation Booking Tips

  1. Booking Time: It is recommended to book 2-3 months in advance; accommodation is in short supply during the Canton Fair, and prices may increase by 50%-100%; some hotels offer 10%-20% discounts for stays of more than 3 consecutive nights.
  2. Booking Channels:
    • Hotel Official Website: Members can enjoy points and free room upgrades (e.g., The Westin and Courtyard by Marriott are under Marriott Group, InterContinental is under IHG Group).
    • Platform Price Comparison: Ctrip, Fliggy and Meituan often launch “Canton Fair Special Packages” including breakfast and shuttle bus to the exhibition venue.
  3. Location Priority: Priority should be given to The Westin and Courtyard by Marriott next to Hall C, which are within walking distance to the exhibition venue, saving commuting time; if you need to receive clients, the river-view rooms and banquet halls of Shangri-La Hotel and InterContinental Guangzhou Pazhou are more suitable.

IV. Itinerary Suggestions (Taking a 3-Day Exhibition Visit as an Example)

(1) Day 1

  • Morning: Arrive in Guangzhou, check in at Courtyard by Marriott/The Westin near Hall C, apply for buyer certificate, and familiarize yourself with the layout of the exhibition venue.
  • Afternoon: Visit the industrial manufacturing and new energy exhibition zones in Hall C, and conduct initial docking with key exhibitors.
  • Evening: Dine at the hotel restaurant or walk to Pazhou New Village to taste Cantonese cuisine.

(2) Day 2

  • Morning: Visit the electronic appliances and lighting exhibition zones in Hall B, focusing on new product launches.
  • Afternoon: Visit the daily consumer goods exhibition zone in Hall A, compare prices, and confirm intended orders.
  • Evening: Visit Canton Tower or take a night cruise on the Pearl River to receive clients.

(3) Day 3

  • Morning: Visit emerging exhibition zones such as service robots in Hall D, or revisit exhibitors that you did not have in-depth communication with in the previous two days.
  • Afternoon: Sign contracts with core exhibitors, sort out orders, and return.

V. Notes

  1. Certificate & Payment: Carry your buyer certificate with you to avoid loss; it is recommended to prepare cash + credit card + mobile payment, as some exhibitors may not support WeChat/Alipay.
  2. Dress Code: Business casual is acceptable, avoid being too casual; the air conditioning in the exhibition hall is relatively cold, so it is recommended to bring a thin coat.
  3. Logistics & Samples: Contact logistics providers (e.g., SF Express, DHL) in advance to confirm sample transportation and customs declaration procedures; some exhibitors can provide samples, remember to ask for them and keep them properly.

VI.Resturant Recommend

The following are recommendations and reference prices for Muslim restaurants, Western restaurants, and Cantonese restaurants in Guangzhou during the Canton Fair

Muslim Restaurants

  1. Dongyang Noodle House & Lamb Cuisine Expert: A certified Michelin-recommended restaurant, owned by a native of Linxia, Gansu. It specializes in northwest Chinese ethnic cuisine. The signature dish is tender hand-grasped lamb with no gamey taste. The hand-grasped lamb set meal for two is priced at ¥232 at the restaurant, with a group-buying price of ¥138.
  2. Xinyue Muslim Restaurant:Located on the 3rd Floor, Kaisa Plaza, 191 Tiyu West Road, Tianhe District, it ranks No. 1 on Guangzhou’s Xinjiang Cuisine Popularity List. The average per capita cost is around ¥92. Signature dishes include roasted lamb chops, roasted lamb legs, and large pieces of hand-grasped meat. Xinjiang dance performances are available at 18:45 every evening and 12:00 on weekends.
  3. Huimin Restaurant:A time-honored halal restaurant situated at 325 Zhongshan 6th Road, Yuexiu District, decorated with distinctive Middle Eastern styles. The average per capita cost is about ¥70. It operates from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., offering dishes like beef buns and beef brisket with pearl noodles. You can also taste authentic halal Cantonese morning tea here.
  4. Asian Charm Xinjiang Restaurant:Specializing in northwest Chinese cuisine and Turkish food, it is located in Yuexiu District, with an average per capita cost of around ¥100. Must-try dishes include Turkish roasted chicken, Arabian braised lamb, and Xinjiang hand-grasped rice.

Western Restaurants

  1. Sabatini Italian Restaurant, Langham Place Guangzhou Pazhou:Located on the 4th Floor, Langham Place Guangzhou Pazhou, 638 Xingang East Road, it is within walking distance of Exit F, Xingang East Station on Metro Line 8. The average per capita cost is about ¥299. Recommended dishes are pan-seared foie gras, Australian Angus sirloin steak, and Parma ham pizza.
  2. The Happy Monk:Located at Shop 02, Building 60, Area B, Canton Tower Pier Creative & Art Zone. It serves dishes like steak and fries, grilled meat platters, and mini hamburgers. The average per capita cost ranges from ¥100 to ¥150.
  3. Bosphorus Turkish Restaurant: Near Xiaobei Metro Station, Yuexiu District, it boasts a cozy environment and serves authentic Turkish and Arabian cuisine. The average per capita cost is about ¥70.

Cantonese Restaurants

  1. Nianshou Canteen | Traditional Cantonese Cuisine:Located at Shop 112, 1/F, Zhuying Starlight City. It offers classic Cantonese dishes such as fried eggs with five-spice sauce, home-style soup, and stir-fried Chinese cabbage heart with lard residue. The average per capita cost is around ¥80-100.
  2. Lingnan Haiyan Building:Located on the 2nd Floor, Jiangpan Huating, 1040 Binjiang East Road. Its featured dishes include shallot oil flying fish, plum sauce squab, and signature French foie gras. The average per capita cost ranges from ¥150 to ¥200.
  3. YI Space · Prosperous Feast:Within a 10-minute drive from the Canton Fair Complex, it has a full-terrace dining area and private boxes. It serves innovative Lingnan cuisine integrated with southern medicinal herbs. Recommended dishes include polygonatum sibiricum and truffle with caramelized abalone, and schisandra chinensis baked Qingyuan chicken. The per capita cost is relatively high (specific price not specified), and advance reservation is recommended.

Recommended Attractions in Guangzhou During the Canton Fair

  1. Canton Tower:As the iconic landmark of Guangzhou, it is located at No. 222 Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District. You can get there by taking Metro Line 3 or the APM Line to Canton Tower Station. It boasts high-altitude observation decks, a Ferris wheel and other recreational facilities, offering a stunning view of both sides of the Pearl River. The night view here is particularly breathtaking.
  2. Guangdong Museum:Situated at No. 2 Zhujiang East Road, Tianhe District, it is accessible via Metro Line 3 to Zhujiang New Town Station. Housing a rich collection of exhibits, the museum features several permanent displays covering Guangdong’s history and culture, natural resources, art and more, allowing you to gain an in-depth understanding of Guangdong’s past and present.
  3. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall:Located at No. 34 Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, it is directly reachable by taking Metro Line 1 to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Station. Serving as the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, it is renowned for its exquisitely decorated architecture full of Lingnan characteristics. The intricate carvings and colorful paintings are truly impressive.
  4. Shamian Talent Leisure Island:Positioned at Shamian Street, Liwan District, you can take Metro Line 1 to Huangsha Station to get here. The island is home to a cluster of buildings with European-style architecture of diverse styles, making it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll, taking photos and immersing yourself in the blend of history and culture.
  5. Pearl River Beer Culture & Art Zone:Located on Yuejiang West Road, Haizhu District, it is accessible by taking Metro Line 8 to Modiesha Station. Themed around beer culture, the zone features bars, restaurants, creative shops and more. You can also enjoy the charming night view of the Pearl River here, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and entertainment.

Recommended Shopping Malls in Guangzhou During the Canton Fair

  1. TaiKoo Hui:Located at No. 383 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, it can be reached by taking Metro Line 3 to Shipaiqiao Station. As a high-end shopping mall in Guangzhou, it is a haven for luxury goods, housing numerous international brands such as LV, Gucci and Hermès. With an elegant environment, it also features flagship stores like MUJI and unique shops such as Fangsuo Commune.
  2. Grandview Mall:Situated at No. 228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, it is accessible via Metro Line 1 to Tianhe Sports Center Station. As one of the largest shopping centers in South China, it integrates shopping, entertainment, catering and exhibitions. It is home to attractions like the Polar Ocean World and Rainforest Ecological Park, making it a great destination for family outings.
  3. Parc Central:Located at No. 218 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, you can get there by taking Metro Line 1 or Line 3 to Tiyu West Road Station. A popular hangout spot for young trendsetters, it focuses on light luxury brands including Apple Store, COS and AAPE. Boasting modern architectural styles ideal for taking photos, its B1 floor is lined with many internet-famous food and beverage outlets.
  4. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street:Positioned in Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, it is reachable by taking Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Gongyuanqian Station. As a thousand-year-old commercial street in Guangzhou, it blends history with modernity. It is home to established department stores such as Tianhe City Department Store and Grandbuy Department Store, as well as many time-honored local food brands like Yinji Changfen (rice noodle roll) and Chen Tianji Fish Skin.
  5. Riverside Mall:Located at No. 106 North Gongye Avenue, Haizhu District, it can be reached by taking Metro Line 8 to Shayuan Station. As a popular shopping mall in Haizhu District, it features fast-fashion brands like ZARA and Uniqlo, as well as a Yonghui Supermarket. Its B1 food street offers a wide range of dining options including Tai’er Pickled Cabbage and Fish and Tan Yu Grilled Fish.