# ChinaConnect247: Full Public Content > A Canton Fair sourcing workspace for scanning supplier cards, saving products and quotes, researching companies, comparing evidence, samples, and costs, and managing follow-up. Turn every Canton Fair contact into a sourcing decision. This file contains the English public editorial content in a compact, agent-readable form. The canonical HTML pages remain the source of truth for metadata, images, interactive tools, and updates. ChinaConnect247 is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Canton Fair or its organizers. # Plan the fair. Capture the right details. Follow up better. Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/canton-fair-companion A practical workspace for choosing a phase, preparing each day, questioning suppliers, communicating clearly, and acting after the fair. # Independent Canton Fair Planning Guide Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/canton-fair-guide A practical, independent checklist for planning meetings, evaluating suppliers, and following up after the Canton Fair. ## Independent guide ChinaConnect247 is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Canton Fair or its organizers. Always confirm dates, phases, venues, badges, visas, and entry rules through official sources before travelling. ## Before you travel - Define the product categories, target price range, certifications, order volume, and markets you need. - Build a shortlist, but leave time to discover unfamiliar suppliers. - Prepare a concise company introduction and save your ChinaConnect247 profile summary. - Confirm travel documents, accommodation, local transport, connectivity, and payment access. ## During supplier meetings Ask about minimum order quantity, sample policy, production capacity, lead time, tooling, quality control, certifications, export markets, payment terms, and whether production is in-house. Record the contact name, booth, product, next action, and promised deadline immediately. ## Evaluate carefully A busy booth or polished catalogue is not due diligence. Verify the legal company, factory capability, certificates, samples, references, contracts, payment instructions, and inspection plan before placing an order. ## Follow up after the fair Send a short message within two business days. Restate the product, specification, quantity, market, required documents, and next decision. Compare suppliers using the same criteria. The fair is where you meet; the network is what remains afterward. # SCAN TODAY. FOLLOW UP BETTER AFTER THE FAIR. Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en About 30 seconds now. More useful business follow-up later. Tell us what you offer or need. We organize the business information participants choose to share and help surface relevant companies, opportunities, and next steps after Canton Fair. # How to Plan a Canton Fair Day Without Wasting 6 Hours Walking Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/plan-canton-fair-day A complete route-planning guide for shortlisting suppliers, grouping halls, booking realistic meeting windows, recording booth evidence, and turning a long Canton Fair day into a usable sourcing list. The Canton Fair is easier to navigate when the day is treated as a buying route rather than an open-ended walk. A good plan starts before breakfast: shortlist the suppliers that matter, group them by exhibition area, reserve realistic meeting windows, and decide exactly what evidence you need from each conversation. The objective is not to collect the most steps or catalogues. It is to leave with a short, identifiable list of suppliers and clear next actions. ## Quick answer Build a priority list before leaving your hotel, group suppliers by area and hall, book 30-45 minute meeting windows with buffers, and record the booth number, company, product, price context, photos, and next action before moving on. Review every card and photo for 20-30 minutes each evening. That workflow prevents the common result of a full day of walking with no reliable supplier comparison. ## What a successful fair day produces A successful day does not mean visiting every hall. It produces a small set of supplier records that you can identify and compare after the fair. For each serious lead, you should know: - Who you met and what role they have. - Which company and booth you visited. - Which product or model you discussed. - What quantity, MOQ, price basis, packaging, and lead time were mentioned. - Which claims still need verification. - What the next action is and who owns it. If you cannot answer those questions, another catalogue or another photograph will not make the lead more useful. Plan the day around the quality of the record you want to create. ## Start with the current fair information The China Import and Export Fair Complex is divided into multiple exhibition areas, and products are distributed by phase and hall. The official map and current fair information are the controlling references. The hall arrangement, entrances, product categories, and event services can change between sessions, so do not build a route from an old blog post or a previous visit without checking it against the current map. Before the trip, confirm the session dates, phase, product categories, exhibition hours, venue entrance, and any buyer or transport notices. Save the map as a screenshot or PDF for offline use. A map that is available only through hotel Wi-Fi is not a dependable route plan. ## 1. Build a short supplier shortlist Start with the official Canton Fair exhibitor search, your own research, introductions, and supplier recommendations. Keep the first list short enough to use. Around 12-20 priority suppliers is usually more practical than trying to cover an entire category. Add a second group of comparison suppliers and a third group of opportunistic stops. For each priority supplier, write one question that must be answered. Examples include: - Is the company the manufacturer, an exporter, or another type of supplier? - What is the MOQ for the exact model and target market? - Is the displayed price EXW, FOB, or based on another condition? - Can the supplier provide a sample, test report, or packaging specification? - What is the realistic lead time after sample approval? - Which legal entity will appear on the quotation and invoice? A question turns a booth visit into a qualification task. Without one, the conversation often becomes a general presentation that is difficult to compare later. ## 2. Put suppliers into route groups Organize the shortlist in this order: exhibition area, hall, booth, then supplier priority. Group adjacent halls together and avoid crossing the complex for a low-priority visit. A simple spreadsheet or note should have columns for area, hall, booth, supplier, priority, meeting time, key question, and follow-up status. A practical day may look like this: - First route block: the highest-priority suppliers in one hall cluster. - Second route block: adjacent comparison suppliers. - Midday reset: food, water, charging, and a review of what has actually been captured. - Afternoon block: the next area or confirmed meetings. - Final block: one or two high-value follow-ups near your exit route. The order matters. If a supplier is important enough to justify a cross-complex walk, schedule that visit as a meeting rather than treating it as a casual stop. ## 3. Add realistic travel and conversation buffers Do not plan a meeting every 15 minutes. A useful supplier conversation can include product selection, specifications, packaging, quality questions, samples, payment terms, and a handoff to another colleague. It may also take time to find the booth or wait for the right person. Use 30-45 minute windows for priority meetings and add at least 15 minutes of buffer before the next commitment. Add more time when changing areas, using an unfamiliar entrance, or carrying samples. A schedule with fewer confirmed meetings is stronger than a full schedule that collapses after the first delay. When booking a meeting, send your name, company, product category, target quantity if known, and the hall and booth. Ask the supplier to confirm the booth location and the person responsible for your category. Save the confirmation with your route notes. ## 4. Use the booth number as your anchor Photograph the booth number and company sign before photographing products. This single habit prevents many later identification problems. Then capture only the product information you need: the model, specification sheet, packaging, certifications shown, quotation, and any useful demonstration. Ask permission before photographing people, confidential documents, or screens. At the end of each conversation, write or record: - Company name, booth number, contact name, and role. - Product name, model, material, size, or other distinguishing detail. - MOQ and target quantity. - Price and price basis, if stated. - Sample cost, tooling, packaging, and lead time. - Markets already served or claimed certifications. - One unresolved question. - The next action and due date. Do this before walking away. Five minutes later, two similar products may already be mixed together in your camera roll. ## 5. Protect meeting quality A buyer can waste time by asking the wrong person the right question. At the start of a conversation, establish whether the person can answer about production, export, pricing, quality, or customization. If not, ask for the colleague who can. Record the person's role rather than assuming that every representative is the factory or decision-maker. Keep a short qualification script ready. Explain your product, target market, expected quantity, required compliance, packaging needs, and buying timeline. Then listen for what the supplier can actually support. If a claim is important, mark it as a claim until documents or other evidence confirm it. Do not negotiate every detail at the first booth if the basic supplier identity is still unclear. Capture the information needed for comparison, then move to the next planned stop. ## 6. Use lunch as a route checkpoint Lunch is not just a break. It is the best time to compare the morning against the plan. Ask: - Which priority suppliers were completed? - Which cards have a booth photo and next action? - Which conversations were too vague to count? - Which low-priority stops should be dropped? - Do you still have enough battery and time for the afternoon route? If the morning ran late, remove detours before the afternoon becomes another unplanned walk. Keep one open slot for a promising discovery, but do not allow every new booth to displace a supplier you came to meet. ## 7. Run an evening review every day Reserve 20-30 minutes at the hotel. Match each business card to the booth photo, correct the company name, label product photos, enter the important quote details, and mark the supplier as priority, comparison, or needs verification. Write the next action while the conversation is still fresh. Separate facts from claims. For example, record “supplier says factory in Guangdong” as a claim, not as a verified factory location. Record “certificate shown at booth” separately from “certificate independently checked.” This distinction makes later supplier due diligence much safer. Back up the notes and photos. A simple folder structure can use the date, area, hall, booth, and supplier name. If you use a card-scanning or sourcing workflow, complete the scan before moving to the next card. ## A reusable day plan ### The night before Check the current official map and fair notices. Confirm your badge, first entrance, route group, first meeting, phone charge, power bank, water, business cards, and offline documents. Send meeting confirmations before sleeping. ### Before entering Arrive with enough time to find the correct entrance, use the restroom, review the route, and reach the first booth without running. Do not spend the first hour wandering while deciding what to do. ### During each visit Anchor the record with the booth number, ask the priority question, capture the product context, and write the next action before leaving. ### At the end of the day Finish the final planned conversation, check the return route, and complete the evening review before fatigue turns every supplier into the same memory. The best Canton Fair day is not the one with the highest step count. It is the one that leaves you with a short, identifiable, evidence-backed supplier list that can move into quotations, samples, and verification. ## Sources - Official Canton Fair general information - https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/cfintro/cfintro.html - Official Canton Fair hall map - https://cmsfile.cantonfair.org.cn/fileserver/cms/2025-07/202507031159215921953.pdf - Official Canton Fair buyer guide - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide - Official Canton Fair exhibitor search - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/customPages/exhibition-exhibitor # 10 Things You Should Carry Every Day at Canton Fair Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/things-carry-every-day-canton-fair A complete ten-item daily packing guide for buyers who need to protect access, identity documents, phone power, supplier evidence, communication, and notes throughout the fair. The best daily kit is small enough to carry comfortably but complete enough to protect your access, communication, and supplier records. Pack the same essentials in the same sections every night so nothing important disappears in a busy morning. The ten items below cover the practical failure points buyers face most often: lost documents, dead batteries, mixed-up cards, missing booth context, and a route that changes during the day. ## Quick answer Carry your original passport when the current badge rules require it, plus a copy, badge, phone, power bank, charging cable, business cards, notebook, translation and map tools, water, and a prioritized supplier list. Keep digital backups of critical documents, separate access items from drinks, and check the current venue restrictions before travelling. ## The ten things ### 1. Passport and a backup copy Carry the original passport or qualifying travel document used for buyer registration when the current official instructions require it. Keep a printed or offline digital copy of the information page in a separate place. The copy is a backup, not a replacement for the original at a badge counter or official identity check. Protect the passport from drinks, rain, and loose pockets. Do not leave it at a supplier booth, hotel reception, or in an unlocked bag. If you need to share identity information for an official process, use the official channel and understand what is being requested. ### 2. Buyer badge and registration proof Keep the badge secure and accessible. Save the QR code, receipt, or registration confirmation offline in case the network is slow. If you still need to collect the badge, carry the documents required by the current official buyer guide and schedule extra time. Use the same storage place every day. After pickup, check the name and details on the badge before leaving the counter. If it is lost or damaged, use the official replacement process rather than accepting help from an unverified seller. ### 3. Phone with the right tools ready Your phone is your map, camera, translator, calendar, contact book, and note system. Charge it before leaving. Keep the official fair information, map tools, camera, translation app, calendar, and supplier shortlist easy to reach. Turn on the security and backup settings you normally trust. Clear enough storage for product photographs and keep the camera lens clean. Photograph the booth number before the product so every image has context. ### 4. Power bank A dead phone can mean lost booth photos, missed messages, no translation, and no route. Carry a reliable, fully charged power bank that is permitted for your transport and follow any airline or venue rules about battery capacity. Keep it in an accessible pocket and test it before the fair. Do not wait until the battery is at one percent. Recharge during lunch or a planned break so the phone remains available for the afternoon route and the return journey. ### 5. Charging cable and suitable adapter Bring the cable that matches your phone and a compact charging adapter when useful. Test the cable before travelling. A cable that only works at a particular angle is not a plan. Keep the cable with the power bank and avoid placing it loose among business cards or documents. If you use several devices, label the cables or carry one tested multi-device cable that you know can charge the equipment you actually bring. ### 6. Business cards Carry your own cards in a protected case and keep received supplier cards separate. Include your name, company, role, email, phone, website, and address where possible. A clear card gives the supplier context and makes follow-up easier. When you receive a card, write the booth number, product, and next action on the back or in your note system immediately. Do not rely on a large unlabelled stack at the end of the day. If you scan cards, check the scan while the person and conversation are still fresh. ### 7. Notebook and pen Digital notes are useful, but a small notebook is valuable when your phone is busy, a table is crowded, or a supplier points to a sample while speaking. Use one repeatable template: - Date, area, hall, and booth. - Company, contact name, and role. - Product or model. - MOQ, quantity, price basis, and lead time. - Evidence shown or documents requested. - One unresolved question. - Next action and deadline. A notebook should support the digital record, not become a second disconnected filing system. Photograph the page or enter the important points before the evening review. ### 8. Translation and communication tools Keep your preferred translation app, saved product terms, pronunciation help, and a short explanation of what you are sourcing. Download language packs if the app supports offline use, then test them before leaving. Do not assume an app will work in a crowded hall or when your data connection is weak. Use written quantities, model numbers, measurements, and clear product photographs to reduce misunderstandings. For critical specifications, ask the supplier to send the final information in writing. Translation can support a conversation, but it is not independent confirmation of a legal, quality, or technical claim. ### 9. Water and a small snack A fair day can be longer than the distance between two meals. Carry water and a small snack where venue rules permit. Keep drinks in a closed bottle and away from passports, cards, quotations, and electronics. Take a short break before fatigue turns a useful conversation into a rushed one. Buy food from appropriate locations and follow the venue's current rules. A snack is not a substitute for planning lunch, but it can prevent an avoidable gap while you move between areas. ### 10. A prioritized supplier and meeting list Keep the day's route, area, hall, booth, supplier, contact name, meeting time, and key question in one place. Mark priority suppliers, comparison stops, and optional discoveries. A short list helps you drop low-value detours when queues or conversations run long. Before leaving the hotel, confirm the first route and one backup stop. At lunch, cross off completed meetings and move missed priorities to a realistic afternoon window. Before leaving the venue, confirm that every priority supplier has a booth record, card, photo context, and next action. ## Organize the kit into three groups Use three simple sections: - **Access:** passport, copy, badge, and registration proof. - **Communication and power:** phone, power bank, cable, adapter, and translation tools. - **Supplier capture:** business cards, notebook, pen, and supplier list. Keep access documents separate from water. Put cards and paper in a sleeve. Keep power items in an outer pocket. This organization makes the morning faster and reduces the chance of handing a supplier your passport when you meant to hand over a business card. ## The five-minute evening reset Before sleeping, recharge the phone and power bank, replace the cable, review the next day's phase and hall route, remove loose cards from your pockets, and back up important photos and notes. Put the passport and badge in the same protected section. Refill water and restock cards. Review whether each useful conversation has: - A booth number or company sign photo. - A matched business card or contact record. - The product model and key commercial details. - An unresolved question. - A clear next action. This small reset is where a bag of objects becomes a sourcing system. ## What not to overpack Do not carry every printed catalogue, unnecessary valuables, a large amount of cash, or a heavy sample case unless the route requires it. Ask suppliers to send structured product information electronically when appropriate. A lighter bag helps you move, listen, and record decisions. Check current venue, airline, metro, and security rules for restricted items. Keep liquids, batteries, documents, and samples packed in a way that can be inspected without unpacking your entire bag. The list is simple, but it protects the parts of the fair day buyers most often lose: access, identity, battery, contact details, product context, and the next step. ## Sources - Official Canton Fair buyer guide - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide - Official overseas buyer badge reminder - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/940809544102453248 - 2026 Attendance Guide for Overseas Buyers - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/pages/598494791797825536 - Guangzhou government Canton Fair public transport guidance - https://www.gz.gov.cn/zwfw/zxfw/jtfw/content/post_8909033.html # What to Wear to Canton Fair: A Practical Buyer's Guide Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/what-to-wear-canton-fair A complete buyer's guide to fair-day clothing, covering walking shoes, breathable layers, business-casual meetings, bags, rain, air conditioning, factories, and the return journey. A Canton Fair outfit has two jobs: keep you comfortable while walking and help you move naturally into a serious business conversation. The best choice is usually practical rather than formal - broken-in footwear, breathable layers, a useful bag, protected business cards, and enough weather preparation for the season. Your outfit should support the work of the day, not compete with it. ## Quick answer Wear broken-in walking shoes, breathable clothing, and a neat business-casual layer that works for supplier meetings. Carry a light bag that leaves your hands free, protect your cards and documents from rain, and keep a jacket or overshirt available for strong air conditioning. Choose comfort first, then add a polished layer when the meeting calls for it. ## The rule: comfortable enough to keep thinking The Canton Fair is a working environment with long corridors, crowded aisles, standing conversations, transport transfers, and repeated movement between halls. The right outfit lets you stay attentive after several hours. If clothing causes blisters, overheating, restricted movement, or a heavy bag, it reduces the quality of your supplier conversations and notes. You do not need a formal suit for every fair day. Clean, comfortable, presentable business casual is usually a more useful baseline. Add formality when you have a scheduled meeting, a factory visit, or a buyer event that requires it. ## 1. Start with broken-in walking shoes Wear shoes you have already tested for a full day. Cushioned trainers, supportive walking shoes, clean low-profile shoes, or comfortable loafers can work depending on your style and meetings. Avoid new shoes, hard soles, unstable heels, or footwear that has not been tested on long walks. Pack blister protection and consider a spare pair of socks, especially for a multi-day visit. Shoes that felt fine in the hotel may feel very different after a full route through several areas. If you plan to visit a factory, warehouse, or showroom, choose closed-toe shoes with enough grip and protection for the environment. ## 2. Dress for humidity and air conditioning Guangzhou conditions can feel warm and humid, while halls, hotels, metro trains, and meeting rooms may be strongly air-conditioned. Use breathable fabrics and layers that can be removed or packed. A practical combination is a clean shirt or neat top, comfortable trousers or smart jeans, and a light jacket or overshirt. Check the forecast before leaving each morning. A light rain layer or compact umbrella can protect your documents and electronics when weather changes. Avoid wearing an outfit that becomes uncomfortable when damp or makes it difficult to move quickly between entrances. ## 3. Use business casual as the meeting default Suppliers are likely to remember whether you were prepared, clear, and respectful more than whether you wore a highly formal outfit. Aim for clothing that is clean, neat, and easy to move in. A collared shirt, knit polo, neat blouse, overshirt, smart trousers, or clean dark jeans can all work when paired thoughtfully. For a more formal meeting, keep a lightweight jacket or structured layer in your bag. That gives you flexibility without carrying a second full outfit. Avoid very loose sleeves around machinery, samples, or crowded stands, and choose clothes that let you sit, stand, and reach your phone comfortably. ## 4. Choose a bag that supports the route A light backpack or cross-body bag can carry cards, notes, water, a power bank, and a small document sleeve. Keep the bag small enough to move through busy aisles and security checks. A large suitcase or heavy sample case is tiring and may be inconvenient in crowded transport. Use separate sections for: - Passport and badge. - Your business cards and supplier cards. - Phone, power bank, and cable. - Notebook and pen. - Quotations, certificates, and other documents. - Water and a small snack where venue rules permit. Keep received cards and documents away from drinks. A rigid card case and a waterproof document sleeve can prevent a small spill from becoming a lost lead. ## 5. Make the outfit camera and note friendly You may need to photograph booth numbers, company signs, product labels, packaging, certificates, quotations, and samples. Keep your phone easy to reach without placing it in an insecure outside pocket. Leave one hand free when possible so you can greet people, hold a sample, or write a quick note. Ask before photographing people or confidential documents. If a supplier points to a product while explaining it, write the model number immediately. Clothing with practical pockets helps, but do not keep passports or other sensitive documents in an open pocket. ## 6. Prepare for several kinds of weather ### Hot and humid days Choose breathable layers, comfortable socks, and a light bag. Carry water and take short cooling breaks before fatigue affects your conversations. Sweat can damage paper cards and documents, so use a card case or sleeve. ### Rainy days Use a compact rain layer or umbrella and keep documents inside a waterproof sleeve. Protect the phone and power bank before leaving the hotel, not after the first downpour. Wear shoes that remain stable on wet pavement and allow extra time for slower walking and transport queues. ### Cooler or heavily air-conditioned interiors Carry a thin layer that can be removed when you leave the hall. A jacket that folds easily is more useful than a heavy coat that occupies the entire bag. ## 7. Pack for the meeting after the fair Some buyers go from the exhibition to a restaurant, hotel meeting room, factory, or showroom. Wear an outfit that can move between those settings. Keep a clean layer or overshirt available and avoid clothing that looks appropriate only for walking or only for a formal dinner. For a factory or warehouse visit, prioritize closed-toe shoes, comfortable movement, and clothing that is not loose around equipment. Follow the host's safety instructions and do not assume an exhibition outfit is suitable for every production environment. ## 8. Keep business cards and documents presentable Carry your own cards in a protected case and keep received supplier cards separate. Your card should include your name, company, role, email, phone, website, and address where possible. A damp or bent card is harder to scan and easier to misplace. Use a small sleeve for quotations, certificates, and product sheets. Photograph or scan important documents only with permission, then label them with the supplier and booth number. Clothing and bag choices matter here because they help you protect the evidence collected during the conversation. ## What to avoid Avoid brand-new footwear, heavy bags, restrictive tailoring, fragile accessories, loose scarves near samples or equipment, and an outfit that requires constant adjustment. Do not carry more printed material than your route can support. Ask suppliers to send structured information electronically when appropriate. Avoid assuming that a formal suit will create trust by itself. A prepared buyer who asks precise questions, listens carefully, and follows up clearly makes a stronger impression than a buyer who is uncomfortable and distracted. ## A practical morning check Before leaving the hotel, walk for a minute in your shoes, check the weather, charge your phone and power bank, pack water, protect your cards and documents, and confirm that your clothing works with your bag. If you have a meeting, add the light layer or jacket you may need. Before leaving the venue, check your battery, review whether documents are dry and secure, and decide whether the return route needs extra time. The day does not end at the final booth; you may still need to walk to a station, wait for a taxi, or stand in a crowded transfer area. A good Canton Fair outfit is quiet infrastructure. It protects your attention, evidence, and energy so you can keep talking when the day is longer than expected. ## Sources - Official Canton Fair general information - https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/cfintro/cfintro.html - Guangzhou government Canton Fair public transport guidance - https://www.gz.gov.cn/zwfw/zxfw/jtfw/content/post_8909033.html - Official Canton Fair buyer guide - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide - China Meteorological Administration - https://www.cma.gov.cn/en/ # How to Get Your Canton Fair Badge and Registration Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/get-canton-fair-badge-registration A complete Canton Fair badge guide covering official pre-registration, identity documents, invitations, pickup locations, business cards, common problems, and what to do before the first fair day. The safest route is to use the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System, complete your buyer information before travel, and keep the registration receipt accessible offline. A visitor should be able to explain the difference between an invitation, a registration receipt, and an entrance badge, and should know which original document will be required at pickup. Requirements and locations can change by fair session, so the current official buyer guide remains the final instruction. ## Quick answer Register through the official buyer system, use the same identity document you will carry, check every name and number before submitting, save the QR code or receipt offline, and bring the original passport plus a business card to an official pickup counter when required. Buyer badge application, replacement, and renewal should be handled through official channels and should not require payment to an unofficial agent. ## Understand the three documents Before starting, separate these three items: - **Registration record:** the information you submit in the official buyer system. - **Invitation or invitation letter:** an official document that may support attendance or visa planning. It is not the same as an entrance badge and does not guarantee a visa decision. - **Buyer badge:** the access credential used for the fair. It is issued or collected through the official process and must match the identity information used in registration. Keeping the documents separate prevents a common mistake: assuming that an invitation or a QR receipt alone is the physical or digital credential needed to enter. ## Use the official channel first Use the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System at https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/ and the current buyer guide at https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide. Do not use a search advertisement, a social-media seller, or a hotel intermediary as your primary registration route. The official Canton Fair has warned buyers to use official channels and has stated that buyer badge application, replacement, and renewal are free. A third party may offer translation or travel help, but you should never give an unverified agent control of your identity documents, account, or payment details just to obtain a badge. If a website asks for payment for a standard badge service, stop and compare it with the current official guidance. ## Step 1: create or access your buyer account New overseas buyers normally create an account and complete the buyer information requested by the current system. Returning buyers log in and complete the attendance or session-specific steps. The screens may change, so use the labels and instructions currently shown rather than relying on an old video. Use an email address and phone number you can access during travel. Keep the account login secure and avoid sharing the password with a hotel, translator, or supplier. If someone helps you translate a form, review the final values yourself before submitting. ## Step 2: enter identity and company information carefully Use the same passport or qualifying travel document for registration and pickup. Check the spelling of your name, nationality, document number, expiration date, company name, role, email, phone number, and address. A single incorrect digit can create a mismatch at the counter. If the system requests an identity image, passport image, portrait, or business-card information, upload a clear file and keep the original source file. Do not upload a cropped or unreadable image just to pass the form. If the system asks for the fair phase or intended visit, select the current session and verify the dates before continuing. Save a copy of the submitted record. At minimum, keep: - A copy of the passport information page. - The registration details as submitted. - The QR code, pre-registration receipt, or confirmation. - Your business card and company information. - Any official invitation or attendance correspondence. Keep one copy on your phone and one offline or printed copy in a separate place. A document saved only inside an app may be unavailable if the network is slow or the account logs out. ## Step 3: request an invitation only when you need one An invitation may support visa or travel planning, but it is not a substitute for badge registration and it does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Use the invitation section inside the official system or the official invitation guidance. Enter the passport and company details exactly as they appear in the registration record. Check the requirements for your nationality, passport, travel purpose, and intended dates with the relevant embassy or consular authority. The fair organizer can provide an invitation process, but it cannot make a decision for another authority. Start early because a delayed invitation can affect flights, hotel bookings, and visa timing. Do not confuse the invitation with proof of a hotel booking, a visa, a registration receipt, or an entrance badge. Save every document with a clear filename and date. ## Step 4: confirm the pickup location Official guidance has listed the Canton Fair Complex and, depending on the session, alternative services at places such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal, designated hotels, and the Canton Fair Hong Kong Representative Office. Availability, hours, and eligible buyer categories are session-specific. Confirm the current list before travelling. If an official alternative counter is open before the exhibition day, it may reduce pressure at the complex. Do not assume that every hotel or transport hub has a counter in every phase. The official notice for your session is more reliable than a previous visitor's itinerary. ## Step 5: prepare for pickup Carry the original passport or eligible travel document used in the application. Bring the QR code or registration receipt and a business card if the current guide requests one. If your buyer category requires another document, include it. A phone photograph of a passport should not be assumed to replace the original at a badge counter. Make sure the business card is readable and includes your name, company, role, email, phone, website, and address where possible. Keep your own cards separate from supplier cards after the fair begins. A mismatch between the card, registration, and passport may lead to questions, so correct the registration rather than trying to explain an avoidable typo at the counter. ## Common problems and the safest response ### The QR code will not load Save a screenshot or print the receipt before travelling. If the counter needs a live lookup, provide the registration email and identity details. Do not create a second account while standing in a queue unless official staff direct you to do so. Duplicate records can make the problem harder to resolve. ### The name or passport number is wrong Use the official account or service channel to correct the record before arrival. Keep evidence of the submitted application and do not rely on a verbal promise from an unofficial helper. ### The passport used for registration is unavailable Contact official buyer service before travelling. A different passport or document may not match the existing application. Do not assume that a copy will be accepted for pickup. ### The invitation has not arrived Check the official application status, email folders, and current invitation instructions. Contact the official buyer service if the status is unclear. Do not buy a replacement invitation from a third party. ### The fair phase or dates are wrong Check the phase, dates, product categories, and attendance details before booking travel. A registration for one session should not be assumed to cover another. ### The counter is busy Arrive earlier, use an official alternative location if available, and keep the first meeting flexible. Carry water and keep your phone charged, but follow venue instructions and do not photograph or record other visitors' documents. ### The badge is lost or damaged Use the official replacement process. Keep a note of the official service contact and do not pay an unverified person who approaches you with a replacement offer. ## Privacy and document discipline A passport contains identity information. Carry it securely, avoid leaving it at a booth, and do not send full passport scans to suppliers. When a supplier or service provider asks for identity information, understand why it is needed and whether an official channel is available. Keep digital copies encrypted or protected by the device security you normally trust. After receiving the badge, check the printed name and other details before leaving the counter. If something is wrong, ask official staff immediately. Store the badge in the same place every day and remove it only when the current venue rules allow. ## Final registration checklist Before leaving home, confirm the official account login, current fair session, badge application status, invitation status if relevant, QR receipt, original passport, business card, phone charge, offline copies, pickup location, and route to the venue. After pickup, check the badge and keep it secure. Registration is a small part of the trip, but it is the gate to every useful conversation. Finish it early through the official process so the fair day can focus on suppliers, products, evidence, and decisions. ## Sources - Canton Fair Buyer Service System - https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/ - Official Canton Fair buyer guide - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide - Official guide on invitation application - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/pages/790884271194980352 - Official overseas buyer badge reminder - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/940809544102453248 - 2026 Attendance Guide for Overseas Buyers - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/pages/598494791797825536 # What Time Should You Arrive at Canton Fair? Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/what-time-arrive-canton-fair A complete arrival guide covering official hours, badge queues, morning transport, hall access, lunch pressure, supplier meeting windows, and the best way to leave before the final crowd. The right arrival time depends on whether you already have a badge, how far you are staying from Pazhou, which area you need to reach, and whether a supplier is expecting you. The official exhibition window is generally 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but your working day begins earlier if you need registration, security, transport, or a long walk to the first hall. ## Quick answer If you already have your badge, aim to be near the correct entrance before the published opening time and leave room for security and walking. If you still need registration, arrive earlier and use only an official pickup location. For most buyers, a practical target is to reach the correct area around 8:30-9:00, then start the priority route when the session opens. Check the current fair and transport notices because hours and temporary services can change. ## The published opening time is not your hotel departure time The Canton Fair general information lists exhibition hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. That is the normal exhibition window, not a guarantee that you can arrive at 9:30 and be speaking with a supplier at 9:31. You may still need to travel to Pazhou, find the correct entrance, pass security, collect or check a badge, walk through a large complex, and locate the first booth. Hours, entrances, services, and access rules can vary by phase and session. Check the current official buyer guide and fair notices for the dates you are attending. Treat general online advice as planning context, not as a replacement for the current instructions. ## Choose your arrival target by situation ### You already have your badge For a priority meeting, plan to reach the relevant entrance or area around 8:30-9:00 when practical. This gives you time to confirm the hall map, find the booth, use the restroom, send an arrival message, and deal with a small delay without losing the meeting. You do not need to force your way into the halls before they open. Use the waiting time to organize your route and follow staff instructions. ### You need to collect your badge Badge collection adds an extra queue and document check. Complete online registration before travel, save the QR code or receipt offline, and confirm the current official pickup location. If an official alternative counter is available at the airport, railway station, ferry terminal, or a designated hotel, collecting before the busiest fair morning may reduce pressure. Locations and hours are session-specific, so verify them for your fair. Carry the original passport or eligible document used for registration, registration proof, and a business card if the current guidance requests one. Do not plan an important 9:30 meeting if your badge pickup is still uncertain. ### You are travelling from outside Guangzhou Build a buffer for arrival at the city, hotel check-in, luggage, and the route to the complex. A morning flight or long-distance train that arrives close to opening time can become a missed meeting after baggage collection and local transport. If the first meeting matters, arrive in Guangzhou the day before or schedule the first conversation later. ## Know the main transport pattern Guangzhou government transport guidance identifies Pazhou and Xingangdong on Metro Line 8 as key access points for the complex. The best station depends on your destination, current hall map, and entrance. Do not assume that the nearest station on a map is the fastest route once crowds and temporary controls are considered. During the fair, Guangzhou may add special metro schedules, temporary buses, airport links, taxis, ride-hailing zones, or crowd-control measures. These arrangements are tied to a particular session and may change. Check Guangzhou Metro, the current Canton Fair notices, and signs at the station on the day. Follow staff directions if an entrance or platform is temporarily controlled. Allow time for the entire journey, not just the train ride: - Hotel elevator and lobby delays. - Taxi or ride-hailing pickup time. - Metro platform queues and passenger controls. - Walking from the station or drop-off zone. - Security and badge checks. - The distance from the entrance to your hall. A route that looks like 30 minutes in a map app should not be scheduled as a 30-minute meeting transfer. ## When are suppliers easiest to speak with? There is no universal quiet hour. Early morning is useful for confirmed meetings and focused conversations before the floor becomes crowded. Midday can be calmer at some booths, but staff may be eating, changing shifts, or handling other buyers. Late afternoon can work for a short follow-up when the supplier is still available, but it is a poor time to begin a cross-complex route if you also need to return by public transport. Ask the supplier when the person responsible for your category will be at the booth. The right person at a confirmed time matters more than guessing that a particular hour will be quiet. If you need a serious qualification conversation, write the purpose in the meeting confirmation so the supplier can prepare the correct colleague and materials. ## Protect the first hour The first hour is often lost through small decisions. Before sleeping, save the first hall, booth, entrance, supplier contact, and one key question. In the morning, go directly to that route. Do not begin by photographing every sign or collecting catalogues from the first corridor. Once the first meeting is complete, capture the booth number, company, product, and next action before moving. A strong first record makes the rest of the day easier because it establishes your note format and priority standard. ## Plan around lunch and battery, not only meetings Food queues, seating, payment, and walking between areas can all consume time. Schedule a lunch window instead of assuming you can eat whenever the route happens to pass a restaurant. Carry water and a small snack where venue rules allow. Use lunch to check your battery and route: - Have the morning priority suppliers been completed? - Do all useful conversations have booth context? - Which supplier needs a second visit? - Which low-value detours should be removed? - Can the phone, camera, translation app, and map last through the afternoon? Dropping a low-value stop at lunch is a planning success, not a failure. ## Leave before the final transport pressure The closing time is 6:00 p.m. in the general information, but the best time to leave depends on your hotel, transport, and whether temporary services are operating. Finish the final conversation with enough time to find the exit or pickup area. Ride-hailing and taxi zones may be crowded, and metro platforms can become busy when many visitors leave together. If you have an airport transfer, train, dinner reservation, or visa-related appointment, leave a large buffer. Do not rely on a temporary airport bus, shuttle, or water route unless it is confirmed for the date and phase you are attending. ## A practical arrival timetable - The night before: confirm session dates, opening window, badge status, official map, first hall, booth, and transport route. - 8:00-8:30: arrive at an official badge pickup location if you still need registration, allowing time for document questions. - 8:30-9:00: reach the correct area when you already have a badge, then review the route and wait for the published opening. - 9:30: enter when the current session opens and go directly to the first priority route. - Late morning: complete one hall cluster before crossing to another area. - Midday: eat, charge, and remove low-value detours. - Afternoon: keep confirmed meetings and comparison visits near the planned route. - Before 6:00: finish the final conversation and begin the return journey before the largest closing crowd. The right arrival time is the one that protects your first useful conversation, leaves room for registration and transport uncertainty, and preserves enough energy for the notes that make the conversation actionable. ## Sources - Canton Fair general information and exhibition hours - https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/cfintro/cfintro.html - Guangzhou government Canton Fair public transport guidance - https://www.gz.gov.cn/zwfw/zxfw/jtfw/content/post_8909033.html - Official Canton Fair buyer guide - https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/buyerguide - Guangzhou Metro official website - https://www.gzmtr.com/ # Can You Use Google Maps in China? What Should Visitors Use Instead? Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/google-maps-in-china-alternatives Google Maps may not behave normally in mainland China. Learn which map layers to prepare, how to save Chinese addresses, and how to navigate with pins and screenshots. A map can be available on your phone and still be the wrong tool for a particular journey. In mainland China, visitors may find that Google services are unavailable on ordinary local connections, place data is incomplete, or a route that looked clear before departure is not useful after landing. ## Quick answer Do not make Google Maps your only navigation plan for mainland China. Save important places before travel, copy hotel and station names in Chinese, prepare AMap Global or another locally useful map layer, and keep screenshots and map pins available offline. For Canton Fair, save the area, hall, metro station and exit together. ## The short answer Google Maps should not be treated as a dependable primary navigation tool in mainland China. UK government travel advice says Google and several other services are blocked, while other sites may be blocked intermittently. Even when an app opens through a particular connection, the map data, location accuracy, routing and live traffic information may not behave as they do at home. For a visitor, the most reliable plan is layered: 1. Save essential places and routes before you fly. 2. Install and test a local-navigation option such as **AMap Global**. 3. Use Apple Maps as a useful iPhone layer where available, or keep Baidu Maps as a Chinese-language backup. 4. Save Chinese names, addresses, pins and screenshots so a driver or hotel receptionist can help without relying on your live map. 5. For the Canton Fair itself, use the current official fair platform for exhibitor, hall and itinerary information. ## Why Google Maps can behave differently There are several separate problems that visitors often combine into one question. ### Service access Mainland network controls can prevent Google Search, Google Maps and other Google services from loading normally on local Wi-Fi or a mainland SIM. A foreign roaming plan or travel eSIM may route data differently, but it is not a guarantee and should not be your only plan. ### Map data and routing A map can show a city while still having incomplete place data, old business information or a route that does not reflect current access points. A large venue such as the Canton Fair Complex has several areas, entrances and nearby stations, so a district-level pin is not enough. ### Coordinate and address differences Different map systems can display locations using different data sources and coordinate handling. A pin copied from one service may not land at exactly the same place in another. For a hotel or fair entrance, compare the Chinese address, building name and nearby landmark as well as the pin. ### Offline limitations Google’s official offline-map guidance says that the full driving route must be within the downloaded area. Offline mode does not provide live traffic or alternate routes, and offline transit, walking and cycling directions are not available. Downloading a map is useful preparation; it is not a complete replacement for a locally useful live map. ## What visitors can use instead | Tool | Best use | Limitation to plan for | |---|---|---| | **AMap Global / Gaode Maps 高德地图** | English-friendly local search, driving, walking and transit | Features and availability can vary by phone and region; test it before departure | | **Apple Maps** | iPhone search, saved places and a familiar interface | Check the route and place data before relying on it; features vary by region | | **Baidu Maps 百度地图** | Detailed Chinese local search and routing | Primarily Chinese-language for many visitors | | **Canton Fair official app/platform** | Exhibitors, products, itinerary planning and venue routes | Fair-specific; do not use it as your general city map | | **Screenshots and saved pins** | Offline backup and showing a driver | A screenshot cannot update itself when a road or entrance changes | Guangzhou airport guidance specifically points visitors toward Gaode, Baidu or Tencent Maps for accurate local navigation between terminals. That is useful confirmation that a local map layer belongs in a Guangzhou travel plan, even if you prefer an English interface. ## Prepare addresses before departure Create a simple address sheet for every place you will use. Each entry should contain: - English name. - Chinese name. - Full Chinese address. - Phone number. - Nearest metro station. - Station exit or entrance, if known. - A saved pin or map link. - A screenshot showing the pin and the surrounding roads. For a Canton Fair trip, include the hotel, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Pazhou Station, Xingangdong Station, the Canton Fair Complex, your area and hall, the registration point, Guangzhou South Railway Station if you are travelling onward, and any supplier offices or factories you will visit. Useful Guangzhou names include: - Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport: **广州白云国际机场** - Canton Fair Complex: **广交会展馆** - Pazhou Station: **琶洲站** - Xingangdong Station: **新港东站** - Kecun Station: **客村站** - Wanshengwei Station: **万胜围站** The Chinese text does not need to be elegant. It needs to be selectable, readable and easy to show. ## Save the hotel correctly Do not save only the hotel brand. Hotels can have branches with similar English names, and the entrance shown in a booking app may not be the most useful drop-off point. Save the full Chinese address from the booking confirmation and ask the property whether the map pin marks the main lobby. When you arrive, take a photo of the building entrance and the nearest station sign. Save it with the hotel booking. This helps when you return late, when a taxi stops on the opposite side of a wide road, or when a residential complex has several towers. ## Use pins and screenshots together A pin is useful when you have data and the map app can open. A screenshot is useful when the app cannot load, your battery is low or you need to show someone exactly what you mean. Use both. For each important destination, capture: 1. The place card with the Chinese name. 2. The surrounding map with a recognisable road or landmark. 3. The station exit, hall entrance or building lobby. 4. The phone number and booking reference separately. Avoid screenshots that show only a blue dot with no destination label. You may know what it means now, but another person cannot use it to help you later. ## A Canton Fair route should contain four points For a fair meeting, save the route as: **Hotel → Metro station → Fair area and hall → Meeting point** For example, “Pazhou” is not a complete meeting instruction. Add whether you need Area A, B, C or D, the hall number, the recommended station and exit, and a meeting point away from the station gates. The official Canton Fair app can help with exhibitor and itinerary routing inside the venue, but keep the hall and booth details in your own notes too. ## If the live map fails Stop trying random map apps while standing in traffic. Use the prepared fallback: - Show the Chinese hotel or venue address to the driver. - Ask the hotel front desk to write the destination. - Use a metro station name and exit instead of a vague neighbourhood. - Open the saved screenshot and compare visible landmarks. - Call the destination using the number on your address sheet. - Move to a safe, staffed place before troubleshooting your phone. Do not follow an unfamiliar pin into a private building just because the app says you have arrived. Compare the entrance, name and address. ## Before-you-fly map checklist - [ ] Download an offline map area where the service supports it. - [ ] Install and test AMap Global or your chosen local map option. - [ ] Save hotel, airport, fair areas, stations and meeting points. - [ ] Copy Chinese names and addresses into an offline note. - [ ] Save screenshots with labels, not only blue location dots. - [ ] Record phone numbers and booking references. - [ ] Confirm the current Canton Fair area, hall and entrance. - [ ] Carry a charger or power bank. - [ ] Tell a colleague where the address sheet is stored. The goal is not to find one perfect map app. It is to make sure one unavailable service cannot take your hotel, fair meeting or airport route with it. *Map availability, app features, traffic and venue access can change. Check current official travel, Guangzhou and Canton Fair information before departure.* ## Sources - UK Foreign Travel Advice: China safety and security — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/safety-and-security - Google Maps Help: Download areas and navigate offline — https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838 - Google Maps Help: Save favorite places and create lists — https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3184808 - Guangzhou International: Baiyun Airport T3 travel guidance — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/headline/content/post_10509533.html - Apple Support: Download maps for offline use — https://support.apple.com/en-ie/105084 - Apple Maps and privacy in mainland China — https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-maps/ - AMap Global official App Store listing — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amap-global/id461703208 - Baidu Maps official App Store listing — https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E7%99%BE%E5%BA%A6%E5%9C%B0%E5%9B%BE-%E6%99%BA%E8%83%BD%E5%AF%BC%E8%88%AA-%E6%89%93%E8%BD%A6%E5%9C%B0%E9%93%81%E5%85%AC%E4%BA%A4%E6%9B%B4%E5%BF%AB%E5%87%BA%E8%A1%8C/id452186370 - Canton Fair APP — https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html # 10 Apps to Install Before Visiting China for Canton Fair Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/apps-before-canton-fair Set up ten practical apps and offline tools before Canton Fair: payment, maps, translation, rail, flights, hotels, WeChat, ride-hailing, ChinaConnect247 and documents. A Canton Fair trip can depend on a small collection of apps: one for payment, one for a ride, one for the hotel address, one for a supplier message and another for the document you need at the airport. Installing them is only the first step. The important work is signing in, verifying your identity, testing payment and saving essential information offline. ## Quick answer Set up the essentials before you fly: Alipay, WeChat, AMap Global, an offline translation app, Railway 12306, DiDi China, your airline’s official app, a hotel-booking app, ChinaConnect247 and an offline document-storage tool. The official Canton Fair app/platform is an additional fair-specific tool for registration, exhibitor search and itinerary planning. ## The ten-app setup at a glance | No. | Tool | What it does | Prepare before departure | |---:|---|---|---| | 1 | Alipay | Payments, transport and local services | Link an eligible card and complete identity checks | | 2 | WeChat | Supplier messages, contacts and mini programs | Verify the account and agree a backup contact route | | 3 | AMap Global | Local maps, transit and navigation | Install, test English search and save key places | | 4 | Google Translate or Apple Translate | Translation and offline language support | Download Chinese language data and test camera/text tools | | 5 | Railway 12306 | Official train search and booking | Register with the exact passport details | | 6 | DiDi China | Ride-hailing | Register, confirm pickup and payment options | | 7 | Your airline app | Flight status, booking and check-in | Add the booking and save the confirmation offline | | 8 | Trip.com or your hotel’s app | Hotels, bookings and travel records | Confirm the address, passport policy and cancellation terms | | 9 | ChinaConnect247 | Fair planning, supplier records and follow-up | Add the web app to your home screen and sign in | | 10 | Files or offline document storage | Tickets, addresses and working documents | Download files, not only cloud links | App names, supported countries, card acceptance and features can change. Download from the developer’s official site or your phone’s official app store, and avoid random APK mirrors. ## 1. Alipay: your payment and transport foundation Alipay is often the first app to configure because it can support merchant payments, ride-hailing, public transport and local services. Official guidance for international travelers explains that eligible overseas cards can be linked without opening a mainland bank account, although card networks, issuers, transaction limits and individual merchants can differ. Before leaving home: - Register with the phone number you expect to keep available. - Complete passport or identity verification if requested. - Link a primary card and consider a second card from another bank. - Find the payment, transport and Translate functions. - Test the app while your bank can still approve a verification request. Carry a physical card and some RMB cash. A payment app is useful, not a reason to remove every backup. ## 2. WeChat: communication and mini programs WeChat is useful for supplier conversations, group chats, location sharing and many mini programs. Tencent describes mini programs as covering travel, transportation and public services, but a service may still require identity verification, a local payment setup or a Chinese-language flow. Install and verify WeChat before the fair. Ask important suppliers to share their company name, booth number and a second contact detail. Agree with family or colleagues what to do if WeChat messages do not arrive. Do not make every recovery route depend on the same blocked email account. Keep business contacts organized with the company, product, booth, next action and date. A contact name alone is difficult to use after several busy fair days. ## 3. AMap Global: local navigation AMap Global, from AutoNavi, is a practical local-navigation layer for visitors. Its official store listing describes China maps, transit, taxi routes, walking, driving and travel information, with English support. Guangzhou airport guidance also points visitors toward Gaode/Amap, Baidu or Tencent Maps for local navigation. Test the app before you fly by searching your hotel and Canton Fair Complex. Save the Chinese name when the search result is correct. If a hotel has multiple branches, compare the full address and map pin before choosing it. Keep Apple Maps or Baidu Maps as a second layer if your phone supports them, but do not install five map apps without testing any of them. One tested map plus screenshots is more useful than a long unconfigured list. ## 4. Translation: download the language before you need it Google Translate supports downloadable offline language packs, and Apple Translate also provides offline language options for supported languages and devices. Download Chinese before travel and test text, camera and saved phrases while offline. Prepare phrases for: - “Please take me to this address.” - “Which exit is for Area B?” - “I have a reservation under this name.” - “Please write the company name and booth number.” - “Is this the correct entrance?” Translation helps communication; it does not replace checking the Chinese address or confirming a contract detail. ## 5. Railway 12306: official train booking Use the official English 12306 website or app for China Railway bookings. The official service accepts foreign-passport registration and requires the passenger details to match the travel document. Keep the same passport with you when travelling. Register before a busy travel day, save the booking reference and check the station name carefully. Guangzhou has more than one major rail station, so “Guangzhou” is not enough. Confirm whether your ticket uses Guangzhou South, Guangzhou East or another station, then save its Chinese name and route. Do not use an unofficial ticketing site simply because it appears first in a search result. Start at `12306.cn`. ## 6. DiDi China: rides when the metro is not practical DiDi’s official download page separates DiDi Greater China from its international version. For a fair visitor, the useful preparation is knowing which China app or in-app service is available to your phone and account, not assuming the app used at home is identical. Set up the account before you are standing outside an airport with luggage. Check the pickup point, vehicle plate and driver identity. Save the Chinese address for the destination because app search can return several similar properties. If your data or payment fails, use the official taxi rank as your fallback. ## 7. Your airline’s official app Use the app or mobile site of the airline actually operating your flight. Add the booking reference, passport name and flight number. Useful functions may include flight status, check-in, seat selection and booking management, but availability varies by airline. Save a screenshot or PDF of the booking and baggage rules. Do not assume the airline app will load after landing or that an email link is enough. ## 8. Trip.com or the hotel’s official app A hotel and travel app can keep the booking, cancellation deadline, phone number and Chinese address together. Trip.com is an international-facing booking service with hotels, flights and trains, while individual hotels may offer their own official app or booking channel. Confirm that the property accepts your passport, supports the arrival time and can provide the documentation you need. Save the hotel’s Chinese address outside the booking app. This is especially important if a property has multiple branches or is inside a large complex. ## 9. ChinaConnect247: your fair follow-up workspace ChinaConnect247 is available as a mobile web experience rather than something you should assume is a native app-store download. Open the official website, sign in, and add the page to your phone’s home screen if your device supports it. Use it for the work that begins after the first greeting: - Capture supplier contacts and business-card details. - Keep products, quotations, photos and questions together. - Record the next action while the conversation is fresh. - Organize follow-up after several days of meetings. The Canton Fair’s own app is a separate, optional tool for official fair registration, exhibitor search, itinerary planning and venue navigation. Use the official Canton Fair domains for that service. ## 10. Files or offline document storage Your phone already has a Files, Documents or equivalent storage app. Use it deliberately. Create folders for **Travel**, **Fair**, **Hotels**, **Suppliers** and **Emergency**. Download the actual files you need: tickets, hotel confirmations, insurance, passport copies where appropriate, fair registration, meeting lists, maps and product requirements. Cloud storage is useful when it works, but a cloud link is not an offline file. Open each important document after switching to airplane mode. Keep sensitive files protected with your device security and remove copies you no longer need after the trip. ## Optional: the official Canton Fair app The official Canton Fair app/platform is worth adding when you are attending the fair. Official materials describe online buyer services, exhibitor and product search, itinerary planning, messaging, electronic business-card exchange and venue navigation. It belongs alongside the ten core tools, not in place of payment, transport or document backups. Use the Buyer Service System or official Canton Fair app pages rather than third-party download links. ## The setup order that saves time Do not install everything at the airport. Use this order: 1. Install the apps from official stores or official websites. 2. Create accounts and verify phone, passport and cards. 3. Save Chinese addresses and key contacts. 4. Download offline translation, documents and map material. 5. Test one payment, one translation, one route and one document in airplane mode. 6. Tell a colleague where the backup files and contact plan are stored. ## Before you travel checklist - [ ] Alipay is verified and a card is linked. - [ ] WeChat is verified and a backup contact route is agreed. - [ ] AMap Global or another local map has been tested. - [ ] Chinese translation data is downloaded. - [ ] 12306 uses the exact passport details. - [ ] DiDi is registered and its pickup process is understood. - [ ] Airline and hotel bookings are saved offline. - [ ] ChinaConnect247 is on the phone home screen and ready for follow-up. - [ ] Essential documents open without an internet connection. - [ ] The official Canton Fair platform has been checked for registration and fair-specific services. - [ ] A physical payment backup, charger and written emergency details are packed. The aim is not to collect apps. It is to remove the moments when one failed login, missing address or unverified card can derail a day of supplier meetings. *App availability, payment support, identity checks and service features can change. Confirm current details with each official provider before departure.* ## Sources - China State Council: Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates 2025 — https://english.www.gov.cn/2025special/bizexpatsinchina2025 - Alipay: International travelers and payments in China — https://idocs.alipay.com/intl-website/intl-website/en/ant_group_mastercard_and_partners_extend_international_consumer_friendly_zones - Tencent: Weixin and WeChat — https://www.tencent.com/products/weixin-wechat/ - Tencent: Weixin Mini Programs — https://www.tencent.net.cn/products/weixin-mini-programs/ - AMap Global official App Store listing — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amap-global/id461703208 - Guangzhou International: Baiyun Airport T3 travel guidance — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/headline/content/post_10509533.html - Google Translate Help: Download languages for offline use — https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142473 - China Railway 12306 English registration — https://www.12306.cn/en/register.html - China Railway 12306 official app download — https://kyfw.12306.cn/otn/appDownload/init - DiDi official download page — https://www.didiglobal.com/download/ - Trip.com official app download — https://us.trip.com/pages/appdownload - Canton Fair APP — https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html - Canton Fair Buyer Service System — https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/ - ChinaConnect247 official website — https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en # Where to Stay Near Canton Fair Without Paying Exhibition-Hotel Prices Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/where-to-stay-near-canton-fair-budget Compare budget-friendly Guangzhou areas three to six stations from Pazhou, with metro access, private-room and hotel trade-offs, commute expectations and buyer-focused recommendations. Staying beside the Canton Fair can save a short walk but cost far more during exhibition dates. A better search question is often: which station gives me a manageable ride, a private room and the basics I need after a long day? ## Quick answer For value, start with hotels near Chigang or Kecun, then compare Wanshengwei and selected Guanzhou/Bio-Island options. Aim for a short walk to Line 8, not simply a low advertised price. A private room in a reliable budget hotel is usually easier for a buyer than an unverified room far from transit; a serviced apartment can win for longer stays if the address and check-in are clear. ## What “near” really means Near the Canton Fair is not the same as being inside the exhibition complex. A hotel three to six metro stations away can be practical if it is within a short, direct walk of Line 8 and you can reach the correct area without several transfers. Measure the whole journey: - Walk from the room to the station. - Time through the station and security gates. - Train ride and any transfer. - Walk from the correct exit to your hall. A hotel described as “near Canton Fair” but requiring a 20-minute taxi to the station may be less useful than a modest room beside Chigang or Wanshengwei. ## 1. Chigang and Kecun: the practical value shortlist Chigang is on Line 8, and Kecun connects Line 3 and Line 8. These areas are often a good compromise between access, restaurants and room choice. They are close enough for a reasonable commute without the premium attached to the immediate Pazhou business district. Kecun can be especially useful if you are arriving from the airport by the Line 3 to Line 8 route. Check the final walking distance carefully: two hotels with the same station label can sit on opposite sides of a large road. Best for: first-time buyers who want a direct fair ride, ordinary evening services and a choice of private hotel rooms. ## 2. Wanshengwei: direct Line 8, farther east Wanshengwei is farther from the central exhibition entrances but remains on Line 8 and connects with Line 4. It can offer more reasonable room choices than Pazhou during high-demand dates. The trade-off is a longer ride and potentially fewer familiar visitor services immediately outside the hotel. For a buyer who prioritises price, laundry or a longer stay over a short walk, it is worth comparing. Best for: independent travellers who are comfortable using the metro and want to reduce the immediate exhibition premium. ## 3. Guanzhou and Bio-Island: quiet, with a route to verify Guanzhou and Bio-Island can be quieter and may have hotels or serviced apartments with fair shuttle arrangements. Some official Canton Fair hotel lists include properties in this broader area. Check the actual station, shuttle schedule and evening food options before booking. A shuttle that runs only at selected times is useful, but it should not be your only route to the fair. Best for: longer stays, travellers who value a quieter base, or buyers who find a suitable property close to a station. ## 4. Modiesha and the stations around the complex Modiesha and Pazhou reduce the commute but can be expensive during fair phases. They can make sense when time is worth more than the room premium, when you have early appointments, or when you need to return to the room between meetings. Compare the full booking total and cancellation terms rather than trusting a normal-season price. Exhibition dates can change availability quickly. ## Station-area comparison | Area | Fair access | Best fit | Main trade-off | |---|---|---|---| | Chigang | Direct Line 8 | Value with a simple commute | Busy fair trains | | Kecun | Line 8 and Line 3 | Airport route and broader city access | Larger area; verify the walk | | Wanshengwei | Direct Line 8, Line 4 | Lower-cost independent stay | Longer ride | | Guanzhou/Bio-Island | Metro or shuttle depending on property | Quiet or longer stays | Fewer convenient options at night | | Pazhou/Xingangdong | Shortest fair journey | Early meetings and maximum convenience | Exhibition-period premium | ## 5. Private room, hotel or serviced apartment? A private room in a licensed, well-reviewed hotel usually offers the clearest check-in, reception and luggage storage. This matters when you arrive late or need an invoice for business records. A serviced apartment can be good for one to three weeks, especially with laundry, a small kitchen and more space for catalogues or samples. Confirm the building entrance, reception hours, registration process and whether foreign guests are accepted before paying. A private room in a homestay may be cheaper, but check the address, identity-registration process, privacy, noise, cancellation rules and host response time. Do not choose solely from a low nightly price or a stock photograph. ## 6. Search and book around the station Search by station name in Chinese as well as English. Before booking, verify: - Walking time to the station on a map. - The exact Line 8 entrance and road crossing. - Check-in time and late-arrival process. - Whether the property accepts your passport. - Wi-Fi, laundry, desk space and invoice availability. - Cancellation terms during Canton Fair dates. - A Chinese address you can show to a driver. Official Canton Fair hotel lists can be useful for checking location, fair shuttle details and stated prices, but the Fair notes that hotel-supplied prices are not necessarily the lowest. Compare the same dates, room type and cancellation conditions across reputable booking channels. ## A budget buyer recommendation Start with Chigang or Kecun for the best balance of commute and daily convenience. Check Wanshengwei when the first options are expensive or sold out. Consider Guanzhou/Bio-Island for a longer stay when the property has a clear station connection or dependable shuttle. Pay the Pazhou premium only when the short distance solves a real need, such as early appointments, mobility limits or several daily trips. During fair dates, book earlier than you would for an ordinary Guangzhou visit and keep a refundable option while comparing the map. Prices, inventory and shuttle arrangements change by phase. *This is general accommodation planning, not a guarantee of price, availability or travel time. Confirm the property, metro service and current Canton Fair transport information for your dates.* ## Compare the real cost, not only the room rate A room that is RMB 100 cheaper can cost more once you add taxi rides, breakfast outside, laundry, late check-in and lost time. Make a simple comparison for the full stay: | Cost or effort | Questions to ask | |---|---| | Room | Is the displayed rate for your exact dates and room type? | | Transport | How much is the daily metro or taxi cost for the whole group? | | Time | How long is the hotel-to-hall journey at fair opening time? | | Food | Are there dependable meals or shops near the property after meetings? | | Work | Is there a desk, stable connection and enough quiet for follow-up? | | Laundry | Is self-service laundry available for a longer stay? | | Flexibility | Can you cancel or change if the fair phase or meetings move? | The purpose is not to calculate a perfect budget. It is to stop a cheap-looking room from hiding a difficult daily routine. ## Choose the area for the buyer you are ### The first-time visitor Choose Chigang or Kecun if you want a direct Line 8 connection and a reasonable supply of restaurants and private hotel rooms. Spend a little more for a clear address, reception and late check-in if this is your first Guangzhou visit. ### The cost-sensitive independent buyer Compare Wanshengwei first. A longer direct ride may be acceptable when the saving is meaningful and the property is close to the station. Check the return journey after dinner and the availability of essentials near the building. ### The longer-stay buyer Look at serviced apartments around Wanshengwei, Guanzhou or Bio-Island when laundry, workspace and storage matter. Confirm the registration and reception arrangements before booking, especially if the property is in a residential tower rather than a conventional hotel. ### The buyer with early meetings or mobility needs Pazhou, Xingangdong or a hotel with a dependable fair shuttle may justify the premium. The point is not prestige; it is reducing the daily transfer and walking burden when that burden would affect your work. ## Check the property, not just the listing Before paying, open the address in a map and zoom in to the actual building entrance. Look for the distance to the station, road crossings, nearby shops and whether the property pin is placed at the hotel or only at the neighbourhood. Ask the property or host: - Can you register foreign guests using a passport? - What time is reception open? - What happens if the flight arrives after midnight? - Is the quoted room private and does it have a private bathroom? - Is an invoice or receipt available for a business stay? - Is luggage storage available before check-in and after checkout? - Is the stated fair shuttle running for your phase and dates? - Is there a lift from the entrance to the room? Keep the answers in writing. A vague promise about a shuttle or late check-in is not the same as a confirmed service. ## Book around fair demand Exhibition dates can change the normal balance between price and convenience. Rooms close to Pazhou may sell early or rise sharply, while rooms farther east may remain available but require more planning. A refundable booking can protect your options while you compare the station and cancellation terms. When comparing two listings, use the same dates, room type, taxes, breakfast policy and cancellation deadline. Check whether a promotional price requires prepayment or excludes changes. Do not assume that a hotel on an official fair list is automatically the lowest-priced option; official lists are useful for location and shuttle information, not a universal price guarantee. If the fair schedule is not final, avoid locking every night into a non-refundable room. A modest room near a direct line is often more flexible than a premium room whose only advantage is being next to the entrance. ## What to do on the first night Save the hotel’s Chinese address before you leave the airport. When you arrive, confirm the route to the metro station in daylight if possible and note the nearest entrance for the morning. Take a photo of the building entrance and reception location so you can find it after a long fair day. Put your badge documents, passport, charger, meeting notebook and next-day route together before sleeping. If the hotel Wi-Fi or room is not suitable for work, identify a nearby quiet alternative rather than discovering the problem at 6 a.m. For a private room or apartment, keep valuables secured and follow the property’s registration and building rules. A cheaper stay is only useful if you can rest, work and leave for the fair reliably. ## A practical shortlist method Keep three options instead of one: 1. **Primary:** the best balance of station, room and cancellation terms. 2. **Value backup:** farther out but still on a direct or simple metro route. 3. **Convenience backup:** closer to the fair for the nights when early meetings matter. Then compare the exact map and total booking cost. This makes the decision more resilient when one property sells out or changes its fair-period price. *Prices, inventory, registration requirements, shuttle arrangements and metro service can change. Confirm the property and current Canton Fair transport information for your dates.* ## Sources - Canton Fair official overseas buyer and hotel information — https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/940809544102453248 - Canton Fair official recommended hotel list — https://cmsfile.cantonfair.org.cn/fileserver/hk/2025-10/202510060934113411616.pdf - Guangzhou International: Your metro guide for the Canton Fair — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/Canton%20Fair/content/post_10769860.html - Guangzhou government: Guide to working and living in Guangzhou — https://www.gz.gov.cn/attachment/7/7568/7568565/9537363.pdf # Canton Fair Metro Guide: Which Station Should You Use? Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/canton-fair-metro-stations-guide Choose the right Pazhou-area station and exit for Canton Fair Areas A–D. Understand Line 8 and Line 11, walking routes, busy periods and payment options. The Canton Fair Complex is large enough that the wrong station can turn a simple metro ride into an unnecessary walk. Your badge area, hall and entrance matter more than the phrase “Canton Fair station.” ## Quick answer Use **Xingangdong** for Area A, and **Pazhou** for Areas B and C. Pazhou Station Exit A or B is used for Area B, while Exit C leads toward Area C. Official Canton Fair transport material also lists Pazhou Line 11 exits E/F for Area B. Check your hall and the current fair map before travelling; station exits and crowd controls can change. ## Match the station to your area The most useful rule is simple: - **Area A:** Xingangdong Station on Line 8, especially Exit A. - **Area B:** Pazhou Station on Line 8, commonly Exits A or B; Line 11 Exits E/F may also serve the area. - **Area C:** Pazhou Station Exit C, followed by the signed walk west. - **Area D:** Check the current fair map and transport notices. Xingangdong or a nearby Line 8 station may be more practical depending on the hall and entrance open that day. The complex address is No. 382 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District. “Pazhou” describes the district and station area, not one small doorway. ## 1. Why the exit matters A metro station can have several exits that face different parts of the complex. Exits can also be managed differently during crowd-control periods. Before leaving your hotel, save the area, hall and entrance you need. At the station: 1. Read the bilingual exit signs rather than following the largest crowd. 2. Match the exit letter to the current Canton Fair map. 3. Once outside, look for venue signage and the area letter. 4. Keep your registration or badge instructions available offline. For Area C, official guidance places the entrance about 300 metres west of Pazhou Station Exit C. That is an easy walk with no large bags, but it becomes slower in a dense crowd. ## 2. Line 8 and Line 11 Line 8 is the main airport-transfer and fair corridor for many visitors. From Baiyun Airport, the usual route is Line 3 to Kecun, then Line 8 toward Wanshengwei. Line 11 also serves Pazhou and can be useful from other parts of Guangzhou. Do not board based only on the number “8” or “11”: check the destination direction on the platform screen and the station name in Chinese, **琶洲** for Pazhou and **新港东** for Xingangdong. If your route planner suggests another transfer, compare it with the current official map. Metro extensions and service changes can alter the fastest route. ## 3. Avoid the wrong line and wrong direction Before tapping in, check three things: the line colour and number, the train destination, and the stop where you will change or get off. A useful habit is to save these characters: - Pazhou: **琶洲** - Xingangdong: **新港东** - Kecun: **客村** - Wanshengwei: **万胜围** If you board the wrong direction, get off at the next safe station and use the platform signs to reverse. Do not exit the paid area unless you need to; re-entry can require another ticket or code. ## 4. Payment options for overseas visitors Guangzhou government visitor guidance says overseas visitors can use an Alipay transport QR code after setting up the transport function and identity verification. Single-journey tickets and metro passes are also available at stations, with cash, Alipay or WeChat payment options described in official guidance. Guangzhou has also announced contactless entry at marked gates for eligible overseas-issued bank cards. Availability depends on the gate, card network and current system support. Carry a backup: a working QR code, cash or another supported payment method. Set up payment before the first fair morning. Identity checks, SMS verification or a bank fraud alert can take time, and a crowded station is a poor place to troubleshoot an account. ## 5. Busy times and walking reality Expect the heaviest pressure around opening time, after the fair closes and at the beginning and end of popular phases. Platform queues, security checks, escalators and venue entrances all add time. Add a buffer if you have an appointment. A journey that is 20 minutes on the train can become 45 minutes from hotel door to booth. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your badge details accessible and agree a meeting point that is not only “Pazhou Station.” Do not block an exit to wait for colleagues. Use the venue's designated meeting areas or a clearly named coffee point. ## 6. The easiest method for a first visit For Area A, plan Xingangdong. For Areas B and C, plan Pazhou. Start with the area, then confirm the exit, then save the hall and meeting point. If your hotel is three to six stations away on Line 8, a direct ride is often easier than changing lines near the venue. On your first day, leave early enough to make one wrong turn without missing registration or a meeting. After you have seen the complex, later journeys become much faster. *Station exits, payment systems, crowd controls and fair maps can change. Recheck the current Canton Fair transport notice and Guangzhou Metro information for your dates.* ## Read the fair map before you read the metro map The metro only gets you to the exhibition district. Your hall and entrance determine the useful station and exit. Before leaving your hotel, save four pieces of information: - The exhibition **area**: A, B, C or D. - The **hall number** or venue section. - The recommended **station and exit** for that area. - A meeting point outside the main passenger flow. This prevents a common mistake: two colleagues agree to meet at “Pazhou” while one is near Area A and the other is near Area C. The district is large enough that this can create a long walk and a missed appointment. The current fair map should take priority over an old blog post or a hotel leaflet. Exhibition layouts, entrances and crowd-control arrangements can change by edition. ## A first-time station walkthrough ### 1. Find the station entrance and confirm the direction Use the station name and the line destination shown on the signs. For Pazhou, look for **琶洲**. For Xingangdong, look for **新港东**. If you are transferring from Line 3 at Kecun, pause after leaving the train and follow the Line 8 signs rather than automatically following the crowd. ### 2. Pass the security and payment gates Have your QR code, bank card or single-journey ticket ready before reaching the gate. If the code fails, step aside and troubleshoot rather than blocking the line. A paper or electronic screenshot may not replace a live transport code, so maintain a backup payment method. ### 3. Check the platform destination The line number alone is not enough. Check the train’s direction and confirm that the station you need appears on the platform information. For the fair corridor, Line 8 trains toward Wanshengwei are generally the relevant direction from Kecun, but follow the current signs for your journey. ### 4. Exit using the area, not the crowd At Pazhou, use the exit that matches the area on the current fair guidance. Exits A/B commonly serve Area B, and Exit C leads toward Area C. Xingangdong Exit A is associated with Area A. If a temporary sign redirects visitors, follow the current venue instruction rather than insisting on the original exit. ### 5. Reconfirm outside the station Once outside, compare the venue sign, area letter and hall information. Do not start walking based only on a familiar station name. The final approach can include broad roads, security points and queues. ## When carrying a case or samples A short metro journey can still be tiring if you have a large suitcase. Leave extra time for escalators, lifts and crowd movement. At busy periods, the most direct exit may be the busiest, while another signed exit may be more comfortable but add walking. Keep small samples in a closed bag and do not place them on a platform bench while you check the map. If you are carrying many catalogues, arrange a hotel drop-off or split the day rather than turning every train trip into a luggage move. Visitors with mobility needs should check the current station accessibility information and allow time for a lift route. If a lift is crowded or temporarily managed, station staff can help identify another route. ## Plan the return journey before the fair closes The journey back is often more crowded than the journey in. Agree whether you will meet at the hotel, at a named venue point or at a station exit. Do not make “outside Pazhou Station” the only plan for a large group. Before the final meeting, check the next train direction, your payment balance or QR code, and the last part of the walk to your accommodation. If you have a full day of meetings, decide in advance whether a taxi or DiDi is worth using for the return with samples. ## A useful metro preparation checklist - [ ] Save Pazhou, Xingangdong, Kecun and Wanshengwei in English and Chinese. - [ ] Record your area, hall and recommended exit. - [ ] Set up Alipay or another supported transport payment method. - [ ] Carry a payment backup and some cash. - [ ] Screenshot your hotel address and meeting points. - [ ] Check the current fair map on the morning of travel. - [ ] Add time for station queues, security and the final walk. - [ ] Agree a meeting point away from the exit gates. - [ ] Check the return route before the venue becomes crowded. The metro is straightforward once the destination is precise. “Pazhou” is the beginning of the plan; area, hall, exit and meeting point are what make it usable. *Station exits, payment systems, crowd controls and fair maps can change. Recheck current Guangzhou Metro and Canton Fair information for your dates.* ## Sources - Guangzhou International: Metro guide for the Canton Fair — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/citynews/content/post_9596291.html - Guangzhou International: Your metro guide for the Canton Fair — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/Canton%20Fair/content/post_10769860.html - Canton Fair official transport map — https://cmsfile.cantonfair.org.cn/fileserver/cms/2025-09/202509111156235623730.pdf - Guangzhou government: Guide to working and living in Guangzhou — https://www.gz.gov.cn/attachment/7/7568/7568565/9537363.pdf # How to Get From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the Canton Fair Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/guangzhou-airport-to-canton-fair Compare metro, taxi and DiDi from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the Canton Fair, with luggage advice, practical timing and a late-arrival plan. Arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport with a suitcase and a fair schedule can make the first decision feel urgent: should you join the taxi queue, order a ride, or find the metro? The right answer depends on your terminal, arrival time, luggage, hotel and confidence with a transfer. ## Quick answer For most first-time visitors with manageable luggage, take Metro Line 3 from Airport South or Airport North to Kecun, transfer to Line 8, and use Pazhou for Areas B/C or Xingangdong for Area A. Allow roughly 60–90 minutes door to door. Choose the official taxi queue or a clearly identified ride-hailing pickup when carrying several bags, arriving late or travelling with a group. ## The short answer The Canton Fair Complex is in Pazhou, Haizhu District. Guangzhou government guidance describes the airport-to-Pazhou metro journey as about 43 minutes and the fare as about RMB 8, before your airport walk, transfer and final walk. In real planning, allow around 60–90 minutes from the terminal to a hotel or fair entrance. A normal-traffic car journey can be around 30–60 minutes, but traffic and Canton Fair crowds can make it much longer. Treat any fixed taxi estimate as a planning guide, not a guarantee. ## 1. Metro: the predictable option for light luggage From Terminal 1, start at Airport South. From Terminal 2, use Airport North. Take Line 3 toward the city and change at Kecun to Line 8 toward Wanshengwei. - Get off at **Pazhou** for Areas B and C. - Get off at **Xingangdong** for Area A and nearby eastern entrances. - Follow the signs for the complex and confirm your hall or registration point before leaving the station. The trains avoid road congestion and the fare is usually the clearest part of the cost. The trade-off is carrying bags through the airport, a transfer station and a busy exhibition area. ## 2. Taxi: easiest with bags or a tired group Use the official airport taxi rank. Have your hotel name, address and phone number in Chinese characters ready, preferably as a screenshot. If you are going directly to the complex, use the address **No. 382 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District** and specify your area or entrance. A taxi is often the least stressful choice when you have multiple suitcases, samples, a child, mobility needs or a late arrival. It is not necessarily the fastest during morning traffic or the opening days of a fair. Ask the driver to use the meter and keep the receipt. Do not judge the journey by the official normal-traffic estimate. Build a larger buffer during fair periods, rain and commuting peaks. ## 3. DiDi: useful when you can manage the pickup DiDi can make the destination and price easier to manage in the app, but airport pickup instructions can be less intuitive than a taxi rank. Set up the service before flying, confirm the payment method and check the designated pickup floor or zone shown in the app. If your phone or data plan is not working after landing, a taxi is the better fallback. Do not walk away from the official pickup area with a stranger who says they are your driver. Match the vehicle and plate shown in the app. For a first trip, DiDi is most useful when you already have a working local-app setup, a reliable data connection and the Chinese address for your destination. ## Metro versus car | Situation | Better starting choice | Why | |---|---|---| | One small suitcase, daytime arrival | Metro | Predictable and low cost | | Several bags or heavy samples | Taxi or DiDi | Fewer stairs, transfers and long walks | | Three or four travellers | Taxi or DiDi | The fare can be easier to share | | Arrival during heavy traffic | Metro | Avoids road delays | | Late arrival | Taxi or DiDi | Door-to-door after checking service availability | | First visit with no working data | Official taxi | The rank is easier to find than a digital pickup | ## 4. What to do with luggage Metro is possible with luggage, but the final walk can matter more than the train ride. Check whether your hotel has an elevator, whether the station exit has stairs and whether you need to cross a large road or exhibition forecourt. For large cases, samples or fragile items, a car reduces handling. Keep passports, electronics, samples and documents with you rather than in an unattended vehicle boot when practical. If you are going to the fair before checking in, consider whether your hotel can store bags. The venue and nearby stations can be very busy during opening periods, so do not assume you can move quickly with a trolley. ## 5. Arriving late Before departure, check the last practical metro connection for your terminal and date. Do not rely on a generic timetable if a flight delay is possible. If you land after your planned metro window, use the official taxi rank or a pre-arranged, identifiable transfer. Keep these offline: - Hotel name, address and phone number in Chinese. - Flight and booking references. - A screenshot of your route. - A second contact method. - Some payment backup. If you use DiDi, confirm that your data plan, account and payment method work before leaving the airport. ## A first-time visitor recommendation For a first visit with a normal arrival time and one manageable case, take Line 3 to Kecun and Line 8 to the station that matches your area. For a late landing, several bags or a hotel that is not close to a station, use a licensed taxi or correctly matched DiDi. The easiest route is the one that still works after you add your luggage, hotel walk and arrival time. *Travel times and operating details can change. Recheck Guangzhou Metro, airport and Canton Fair information for your travel date.* ## What to do between landing and leaving the airport The route decision is easier if you work through the airport in order rather than choosing a vehicle while still tired from the flight. 1. **Finish arrival formalities and collect every bag.** If a suitcase is delayed, record the baggage reference before leaving the arrivals area. A missing bag changes the metro-versus-car decision. 2. **Get connected.** Turn on the travel eSIM or roaming line you prepared, and check that a map, your booking and your chosen transport app can load. Keep your home SIM available for verification if needed, but avoid accidental data roaming. 3. **Open your offline backup.** Find the hotel address, the Chinese destination name and the phone number. Do not depend on an email link that may not load. 4. **Decide how far you are really travelling.** A hotel near Kecun is a different journey from the Canton Fair Complex. Use the destination, not only the district name, when comparing routes. 5. **Choose one primary route and one fallback.** For example: metro if the airport-to-station walk is manageable; official taxi if the queue, bags or time make that more sensible. Airport signs are generally more useful than trying to follow a screenshot from a different terminal. Look for the current metro, taxi and ride-hailing signs after you enter the public arrivals area. ## Three realistic arrival scenarios ### Scenario A: one traveller, one case, daytime arrival You land on time, your phone works and your hotel is close to Pazhou or Kecun. Take the metro if you are comfortable with one transfer. Keep the route open on your phone, but also save the station names in Chinese. Allow time for the airport walk and for finding the correct exit at the destination. This is usually the clearest low-cost option. It also lets you avoid guessing how long the road will take during a busy fair morning. ### Scenario B: two buyers with samples and full luggage A taxi or DiDi will usually be easier because the group can keep sample cases together and go directly to the hotel. Compare the total fare with two metro fares, but do not reduce the decision to price. The value is in avoiding stairs, platform changes, crowded trains and a long walk after the transfer. Put the hotel address in Chinese on the booking confirmation and check that the driver is taking you to the correct branch if the hotel has more than one location. ### Scenario C: a delayed late-night flight Do not force a metro journey because it was the original plan. Check the current operating window and use an official taxi or a pre-arranged transfer when the remaining connection is uncertain. If you are staying outside the Pazhou area, ask the hotel about late check-in before boarding the flight. Keep your passport, booking reference and payment backup accessible. A tired arrival is exactly when a confusing pickup message or an unfamiliar hotel entrance creates avoidable stress. ## If you are carrying fair samples Samples can make a normal suitcase awkward. Before choosing the metro, consider the case size, wheels, stairs, platform crowding and whether you can keep the item beside you. Fragile or valuable samples should remain in your possession and be protected from compression. If a supplier has given you catalogues, brochures or small samples, group them in a labelled folder or soft case. Keep a simple note with the supplier name and booth number so you can identify the contents later. Avoid placing passports, electronics or irreplaceable documents in a case that may be separated from you. For a large first-day haul, ask the hotel about luggage storage and whether it can arrange a local delivery or car. Do not assume the exhibition complex will provide the exact storage service you need. ## Common first-arrival mistakes - Entering “Canton Fair” into a ride-hailing app without checking the area or hotel address. - Choosing a metro route without allowing for a terminal walk and the Kecun transfer. - Assuming a taxi’s normal-traffic time will hold during the fair opening rush. - Leaving the airport without an offline hotel address in Chinese. - Relying on a payment app that has not been verified before landing. - Accepting an unofficial ride because the official queue looks long. - Forgetting that the last walk from the station can be difficult with a heavy case. The best arrival plan is deliberately boring: a known address, a working connection, a payment fallback and enough time to change your mind. ## A simple arrival card to prepare Write or save this information before your flight: - Airport terminal and arrival flight. - Hotel name, address and phone number in Chinese. - Intended station and exit, if using the metro. - Canton Fair area, hall and meeting point, if travelling directly there. - Metro route: Airport South/North → Line 3 → Kecun → Line 8. - Primary payment method and backup payment method. - Hotel late-check-in contact. - Emergency contact and a second messaging route. *Times, terminal arrangements, metro operating windows and pickup zones can change. Check the current official information close to departure.* ## Sources - Guangzhou International: Airport and Canton Fair transport guide — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/citynews/content/post_9596291.html - Guangzhou International: Canton Fair access and airport journey — https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/citynews/content/post_7829341.html - Guangzhou government: Transport to Terminal 3 — https://www.gz.gov.cn/zwfw/zxfw/jtfw/content/post_10690829.html - Canton Fair official transport information — https://cmsfile.cantonfair.org.cn/fileserver/cms/2025-09/202509111156235623730.pdf # How to Use Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Western Apps in China Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/western-apps-in-china Prepare Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and other essential apps before visiting mainland China. Compare roaming, travel eSIM and local connectivity options, then build a reliable offline backup. Your phone can show full signal in mainland China while an app you use every day still does not load. That can affect email, messages, maps, cloud files, online banking and account verification at exactly the moment you need a hotel address or booking confirmation. The solution is not to depend on one technical workaround. Prepare a legal, carrier-supported connection plan, install useful local apps, keep critical information offline and decide how colleagues or family will reach you if your normal channel is unavailable. ## Quick answer Expect Google services, Gmail, WhatsApp and several other foreign platforms to be unavailable on ordinary mainland Chinese Wi-Fi and local mobile data. International roaming or a foreign travel eSIM may route data differently, but access depends on the provider and is never guaranteed. Confirm mainland China coverage before departure, install and test everything while abroad, and keep local-app and offline backups. ## 1. Expect the network to work differently Mainland China has extensive controls on internet access. UK government travel advice says Google, Facebook, YouTube and X are permanently blocked and that other websites may be blocked intermittently. Australian government travel advice also warns that Google, WhatsApp, online banking, internet calling and messaging services may be unavailable. In practical terms, do not build your trip around the assumption that these will work on hotel Wi-Fi, airport Wi-Fi, a cafe network or a Chinese SIM: - Google Search, Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar and YouTube. - WhatsApp and some other foreign messaging or calling apps. - Foreign news, social-media and cloud services. - Authentication pages, embedded maps or sign-in buttons that depend on blocked services. A website loading yesterday does not guarantee that it will load during your visit. Access can vary by service, network, place and time. Hong Kong and Macao have different network environments; advice for them should not be assumed to apply to mainland China. ## 2. Why full signal does not mean every app will work Your phone's signal bars show that it is connected to a mobile or Wi-Fi network. They do not show how that network reaches the wider internet. A Chinese SIM and ordinary local Wi-Fi use the mainland network environment. A foreign SIM roaming on a Chinese partner network may send data through the foreign carrier's roaming system. A travel eSIM may do something similar. This difference is why two phones beside each other can reach different services. Do not treat roaming as a guaranteed way to reach every foreign app. The result depends on the carrier, plan, routing and current restrictions. Ask the provider specifically about **mainland China**, not simply “China” or “Asia,” and ask whether the plan has any service limitations. ## 3. Choose a primary connection and a backup ### Option A: roaming from your existing mobile carrier For a short business trip, a home carrier's official roaming plan can be the simplest option. It keeps your existing SIM and number, which is useful for calls, SMS and account verification. Before departure, confirm: - Mainland China is included on your exact plan. - The daily or total price, high-speed data allowance and reduced-speed policy. - Whether voice calls, incoming calls and SMS cost extra. - Whether tethering or hotspot use is allowed. - Which Chinese network partners the carrier uses. - How to reach support without relying on the carrier's app. Set a billing cap or roaming alert where your carrier offers one. Background photo backup, cloud syncing and app updates can consume an allowance quickly. ### Option B: a travel eSIM from a foreign provider A travel eSIM can provide a separate data plan without removing your physical SIM. Many are data-only: they do not provide a mainland Chinese phone number and cannot receive normal SMS. Apple advises travellers to check that an iPhone is unlocked and to buy or install a travel eSIM before the trip. Regional and device restrictions apply. In particular, do not assume you will be able to install or reinstall a foreign eSIM after entering mainland China. Android support also varies by model and sales region. Ask the eSIM provider: - Does this exact package cover mainland China? - Must it be activated before arrival? - When does the validity period begin? - Is the plan data-only? - Are hotspot use and 5G included? - How is data routed, and are any categories of service restricted? - Can the profile be reinstalled if it is deleted? Keep the QR code or installation instructions offline, but protect them as account credentials. Do not delete a working eSIM during the trip unless the provider confirms that it can be restored. ### Option C: a Chinese SIM or ordinary local Wi-Fi A local SIM is useful for local calls, a +86 number and services that work better with local registration. China's official guide for foreign business visitors says a foreign national can take a passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to a service office of China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom to arrange a SIM. A local SIM is not a substitute for access to blocked foreign services. Expect the mainland network environment. Public or hotel Wi-Fi may also require phone-number or identity verification. Local Wi-Fi can still be valuable for Chinese apps, routine browsing and preserving roaming data. Avoid sending sensitive information on an untrusted public network, and follow your employer's security policy. ### Option D: an employer-provided connection If access to company systems is essential, ask your IT or security team what approved connection the organisation provides for work in China. Chinese authorities require VPN and similar services to be licensed. Do not arrive planning to buy or improvise an unapproved consumer workaround. A company may have a licensed carrier or managed cross-border service designed for its internal use. Business travellers handling customer, employee, technical or other sensitive data should also check what may be stored on the device and transferred across borders. ## 4. Prepare Gmail, Google and account recovery before departure Do the work while you still have a dependable connection: 1. Download flight, rail, hotel, fair-registration and insurance documents as files, not just links in Gmail or Drive. 2. Save the hotel and meeting addresses in Chinese characters, plus phone numbers. 3. Export or download the documents and presentation files needed for meetings. 4. Check whether Google Maps offers an offline download for the places you will visit. Google notes that offline maps are unavailable in some countries or regions and that offline mode has limited navigation features. Keep another map option. 5. Generate Google 2-Step Verification backup codes and store them securely away from the phone. Each code works once. Never share them. 6. Check that your password manager and authenticator app work offline. 7. Add a recovery email or other approved sign-in method that does not depend on the same phone. 8. Print the most important itinerary details and one emergency contact sheet. Do not rely on a screenshot of a QR code if the venue requires a live mini-program, rotating code or identity check. Confirm the actual entry process. ## 5. Prepare WhatsApp and another contact route Install and verify WhatsApp before departure. Keep your registered home number active if you might need to receive a verification SMS or call. WhatsApp's help guidance notes that travellers must be able to receive the code on the registered number when re-verification is required. Tell important contacts that WhatsApp may not be available. Agree on a second route, such as: - WeChat, installed and registered before travel. - Ordinary SMS or a voice call to your roaming number. - An employer-approved communication service. - A scheduled check-in time and a named person to call if you miss it. Do not make every backup depend on the same email account. If Gmail is unavailable, a recovery message sent only to Gmail does not solve the problem. ## 6. Install the local apps you will actually need China's official business-visitor guide identifies WeChat and Alipay for payments and local services, Didi for ride hailing, and Railway 12306 for train tickets. Availability, verification and international-card support can change, so set them up before the flight and test the important functions. A practical phone setup may include: - **WeChat:** supplier communication, contacts and many mini-program services. - **Alipay:** payments, transport functions and access to local services. - **Didi:** ride hailing, either directly or through a supported local app. - **Railway 12306:** official rail booking and journey information. - **A mainland-supported map app:** check its language support and save key places. - **An offline translation pack:** download the languages you need in advance. Keep some physical payment backup and your hotel's written address. An app setup can fail because of identity checks, card verification, a bank fraud alert or a delayed SMS even when the internet itself is working. ## 7. Protect your data and manage two SIMs carefully Before travel, update the operating system and apps, remove information you do not need, back up the device and follow your organisation's travel-device rules. Government travel advice warns visitors not to expect the same level of privacy they may have at home. If you use two SIMs or an eSIM: - Set the intended travel line as the mobile-data line. - Turn data roaming off on the home line unless its roaming plan is intentional. - Disable automatic cellular-data switching if it could create surprise charges. - Decide whether the home line should remain on for SMS and incoming calls. - Turn off automatic cloud backups, app downloads and video autoplay. - Take a screenshot of the correct settings pages for later reference. Remember that receiving a call, checking voicemail or sending an SMS may be charged differently from data. ## 8. Test your plan before boarding and after landing Before departure, test the exact setup away from your normal Wi-Fi. Open a required document, use the authenticator, send a message on the backup channel and confirm that the travel line can use data. After landing: 1. Turn on only the line intended for travel data. 2. Confirm the carrier name and that mobile data works. 3. Test one essential international service and one local service. 4. Message your agreed contact channel. 5. Check data usage before leaving the airport. 6. If the primary plan fails, use the prepared backup rather than changing several settings at once. Keep a record of the provider's support number, APN instructions and booking reference somewhere available offline. ## Before you travel checklist - [ ] Confirm mainland China coverage, pricing, data limits, voice/SMS charges and hotspot rules with your carrier. - [ ] Check that your phone is unlocked and supports the required SIM or eSIM. - [ ] Install and activate the travel eSIM before entering mainland China where the provider requires it. - [ ] Keep the home number available if account verification depends on it. - [ ] Download tickets, bookings, presentations, insurance and key cloud files. - [ ] Save hotel, venue and meeting addresses in English and Chinese. - [ ] Create and securely store account backup codes. - [ ] Test your password manager and authenticator offline. - [ ] Install and verify WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Railway 12306, a local map option and offline translation. - [ ] Tell family and colleagues which backup channel to use. - [ ] Turn off unnecessary background data and set billing alerts. - [ ] Remove sensitive data you do not need and follow your employer's device policy. - [ ] Carry a printed essentials sheet and a payment backup. - [ ] Recheck official travel advice and your providers shortly before departure. ## The reliable plan is a layered plan No single app, SIM or network deserves to be the only route to your itinerary, money, meetings and contacts. Use a carrier-supported primary connection, prepare a second contact channel, keep essential information offline and test the whole setup before departure. Service availability and telecom rules can change. Confirm current details with official travel advice, your carrier, your eSIM provider and your employer before each trip. *This article provides general travel preparation, not legal, telecom or cybersecurity advice. Follow Chinese law and your organisation's policies.* ## Sources - UK Foreign Travel Advice: China safety and security — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/safety-and-security - Australian Smartraveller: China travel advice — https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/china - China State Council: Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates (2025) — https://english.www.gov.cn/2025special/bizexpatsinchina2025 - Apple Support: Use eSIM while travelling internationally — https://support.apple.com/en-us/118227 - Apple Support: Using eSIM with your iPhone in China mainland — https://support.apple.com/en-ie/123879 - Google Account Help: Sign in with backup codes — https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1187538?hl=en - Google Maps Help: Download areas and navigate offline — https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en - WhatsApp Help Center: Travelling and verification codes — https://faq.whatsapp.com/1199905020946636 # The Cheapest Quote at Canton Fair Could Cost You More Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/compare-canton-fair-supplier-quotes Compare Canton Fair supplier quotes beyond unit price. Check specifications, MOQ, packaging, shipping terms, and estimated costs before choosing. Before you choose a supplier, find out what their price actually includes. Three booths. Three similar products. Three very different prices. One supplier says $4.80. Another says $5.30. A third says they can beat both if you order today. It feels like an easy decision—until you discover that the first price excludes your packaging, applies to a larger order, and covers a different specification from the sample you photographed. The prices may all be honestly quoted. They may simply describe different purchases. Before asking for a discount, ask a more useful question: **Are we comparing the same product, in the same quantity, delivered on the same basis?** ## Quick answer Compare the exact specification, order quantity, packaging, delivery terms, additional charges, and payment conditions. Keep unknown costs visible. A missing number should never quietly become zero. ## 1. Start with the product behind the price Products that look similar can differ in ways that affect performance, durability, and cost. A lamp may use a different battery. A bag may have a different fabric weight. A metal fitting may use a different grade or finish. Give each shortlisted supplier the same written requirements. Ask them to identify any differences between their quotation and your requested specification. For your product, record the details that matter: - Model or reference number. - Materials and dimensions. - Components or performance requirements. - Included accessories. - Colour and finish. - Branding and packaging. - Required product documents. Attach the reference photo, but do not rely on the photo to define everything. A useful question is: > Please confirm that this quotation covers the exact configuration discussed. If anything differs, list the differences separately. This also makes negotiation clearer. If a supplier offers a lower price, ask what changed. ## 2. Find out which quantity earns that price An attractive unit price may apply to an order larger than your planned first purchase. Ask suppliers to quote your actual starting quantity before comparing their larger-order discounts. Clarify whether the minimum order quantity—MOQ—applies to the whole order, each product model, each colour, each size, or each packaging option. For example, MOQ 500 might mean 500 units in one colour, rather than 500 units divided across five colours. Also ask whether a repeat order has the same minimum as the first order. A practical request is: > Please quote 300, 500, and 1,000 units using the same specification. Confirm the minimum quantity per colour and packaging design. Those quantities are examples. Use numbers that fit your business. ## 3. Ask what packaging included means A supplier may be quoting basic protective packaging while you are imagining a printed retail box. Before comparing prices, specify what you need: individual packaging, printed artwork, labels and barcodes, instructions or inserts, protective materials, outer cartons, and any pallet requirements. Request the packed dimensions, gross weight, and units per carton so a logistics provider can prepare a useful freight estimate. Then ask whether artwork preparation, printing setup, labels, inserts, and export cartons are included, and which charges apply only to the first order. ## 4. Understand where the quoted price stops A quotation should identify the delivery rule and the named place or port. Terms such as EXW, FCA, and FOB allocate different responsibilities. They cannot be treated as interchangeable labels attached to the same price. ICC guidance explains that EXW leaves export-clearance responsibility with the buyer and is primarily suited to domestic trade. FCA can be appropriate for containerised or multimodal shipments, with export clearance handled by the seller. FOB is for sea or inland-waterway transport, with delivery occurring when goods are on board the vessel. [ICC checklist for choosing an Incoterms® 2020 rule](https://library.iccwbo.org/content/clp/Others/incoterms_2020_checklist_2024-update.pdf) Ask your logistics provider which rule fits the proposed shipment. Request the agreed Incoterms® rule, precise named place or port, and version used. If a supplier offers DDP, ask who will perform import clearance and how that arrangement works in your destination country. [ICC guidance on national regulatory barriers](https://library.iccwbo.org/content/clp/Others/2025_icc_national_regulatory_barriers_to_the_incoterms_2020_rules_v2-2.pdf) ## 5. Compare costs to the same destination Choose one endpoint for your comparison—for example, arrival at your warehouse. The International Trade Administration describes landed cost as including the product price, freight, insurance, tariffs, taxes, and other fees. It recommends treating these calculations as estimates because charges and rates can change. [ITA guidance on total landed cost](https://www.trade.gov/determine-total-export-price) Build your comparison using confirmed quotations and clearly identified estimates. Avoid double counting. If a charge is already included in the supplier’s price, do not add it again. ### A lower unit price can produce a higher order total **Fictional example for illustration only. These are not market prices, freight estimates, or tax calculations.** Assume both suppliers have been asked to quote the same specification and quantity. Neither goods price includes the additional items listed below. | Comparison item | Supplier A | Supplier B | |---|---:|---:| | Quantity | 1,000 units | 1,000 units | | Quoted unit price | $4.80 | $5.30 | | Goods subtotal | $4,800 | $5,300 | | Required packaging, additional | $450 | Included | | First-order setup charge | $300 | Included | | Assumed logistics to the same endpoint | $1,100 | $900 | | **Subtotal of listed costs** | **$6,650** | **$6,200** | | **Listed subtotal per ordered unit** | **$6.65** | **$6.20** | Supplier A has the lower headline price, but Supplier B has the lower subtotal once these items are included. This is not a complete landed-cost calculation. Duties, taxes, insurance, testing, inspection, and other applicable charges would still need to be established. ## 6. Give every unknown cost a status Use simple statuses: **Included**, **Quoted**, **Estimated**, **Unknown**, and **Not applicable**. For example, customs charges: unknown is more useful than an empty cell that gets treated as zero. Import duties and taxes depend on destination, classification, and applicable rules. [ITA guidance on import tariffs and fees](https://www.trade.gov/import-tariffs-fees-overview) ## 7. Clarify when the delivery clock starts Ask whether the period begins after deposit, artwork approval, or sample approval; when production finishes; whether inspection time is included; and what happens if the approved specification changes. Treat production time and transport time as separate entries in your plan. ## 8. Keep payment and quality terms beside the price Compare payment stages, sample approval, inspection arrangements, defect handling, warranty or replacement terms, and outstanding points requiring agreement. Incoterms® rules do not determine payment timing, transfer of ownership, or remedies for contractual failures. [ITA explanation of what Incoterms cover](https://www.trade.gov/know-your-incoterms) ## 9. Get the final offer into a clear document A formal quotation or pro forma invoice helps define the proposed purchase. Keep seller and buyer details, product descriptions, unit and total prices, weights and dimensions, delivery terms, payment terms, estimated shipping date, quotation validity, date, and version together. [ITA guidance on pro forma invoices](https://www.trade.gov/pro-forma-invoice) ## A message you can send to shortlisted suppliers > Hello [Name], > > Thank you for discussing [product/model] with us at Canton Fair. > > Please provide a written quotation for [quantity] units using the attached specification. > > Please confirm the unit price and currency, minimum quantity per model and colour, included packaging, and any additional setup or tooling charges. > > Please identify the Incoterms® rule, named place or port, quotation validity, payment stages, and production lead time—including when that lead time starts. > > Please also provide packed dimensions, gross weight, units per carton, sample costs, and available product documents. > > If your offer differs from our requested specification, please explain those differences separately. > > We will review the quotation and confirm the next step. ## Leave the fair with a comparison you can explain Before choosing, ask whether the offers cover the same specification and quantity, whether packaging and setup costs are clear, whether delivery costs reach the same endpoint, which figures are estimates or unknown, and whether the schedule and payment terms are workable. Keep each quotation beside its supplier, product evidence, and open questions in [My Fair](https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/my-fair). If you need help organising the comparison or clarifying what to request from suppliers, [tell ChinaConnect247 what you are sourcing](https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en?join=1). *ChinaConnect247 is independent of Canton Fair. This article provides general purchasing guidance. Shipping, customs, tax, and contractual arrangements should be checked for the specific transaction.* ## Sources - ICC checklist for choosing an Incoterms® 2020 rule — https://library.iccwbo.org/content/clp/Others/incoterms_2020_checklist_2024-update.pdf - ICC guidance on national regulatory barriers — https://library.iccwbo.org/content/clp/Others/2025_icc_national_regulatory_barriers_to_the_incoterms_2020_rules_v2-2.pdf - ITA guidance on total landed cost — https://www.trade.gov/determine-total-export-price - ITA guidance on import tariffs and fees — https://www.trade.gov/import-tariffs-fees-overview - ITA explanation of what Incoterms cover — https://www.trade.gov/know-your-incoterms - ITA guidance on pro forma invoices — https://www.trade.gov/pro-forma-invoice # They Gave You a Business Card. Are They the Right Supplier? Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/china-essentials/canton-fair-business-card-supplier-checks What to ask at Canton Fair to connect the person, legal seller, production site, exact product, and payment recipient before moving toward an order. *What to ask at Canton Fair before a promising conversation becomes a purchase.* Imagine this: you find a product that looks right for your business. The display is impressive. The person at the booth understands your questions, offers an attractive price, and hands you a business card. You exchange WeChat details and walk away thinking, “I found my supplier.” But several questions are still unanswered. Does that person represent the company you would pay? Does that company manufacture the product? Who can approve changes? And does the sample in your hand represent what would arrive in your shipment? A business card helps you continue the conversation. The next step is to establish what sits behind it. ## Quick answer Before moving toward an order, connect five things: the person you met, the legal seller, the production site, the exact product, and the payment recipient. Understand any differences between them and collect evidence proportionate to your order. ## 1. First, work out what this person can actually do The right contact does not have to be the factory owner. A capable salesperson can be an excellent partner if they understand your requirements, communicate accurately, and bring the right colleagues into the discussion. What matters is knowing their role and the limits of their authority. Ask: - “Will you manage our quotation and order after the fair?” - “Who approves changes to the product or packaging?” - “Who can confirm technical specifications?” - “Who handles quality problems?” - “Who is authorised to approve the final commercial terms?” These are coordination questions, not accusations. Someone saying, “I need to confirm that with our engineer,” can be giving you a more useful answer than someone immediately agreeing to every request. Ask for the name or role of the person who will confirm the detail, and agree when you will receive the answer. **A useful booth question:** > “If we move forward, who will be responsible for our order from the approved sample through production and delivery?” Record the answer beside the contact. ## 2. Ask who the seller is—not just what the brand is called The name above the booth, the brand on the product, and the company on the quotation may differ. That difference needs an explanation. It is not, by itself, proof of a problem. For a mainland Chinese seller, ask for: - Its full registered Chinese company name. - Its business licence. - Its Unified Social Credit Code. - The legal company name that will appear on your contract and invoice. Use the registered identity when arranging company checks. An English trading name alone may leave uncertainty about which entity you are researching. China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System supports searches by enterprise name, Unified Social Credit Code, or registration number. A registration search helps establish identity; it does not establish that a company can successfully fulfil your particular order. [Official enterprise-information search](https://bt.gsxt.gov.cn/) You can also cross-check the company against official Canton Fair exhibitor information. The Fair’s own app provides exhibitor and product search and digital business-card exchange. [Official Canton Fair app information](https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html) Use these checks as parts of the picture. An exhibitor listing does not answer your separate questions about production, product suitability, or payment arrangements. ## 3. “Are you a factory?” is only the beginning Ask the question—but follow it with more specific ones: > “For this exact model, which processes do you perform yourselves, and which are handled by another company?” Then ask: - “Where will our order be produced?” - “What is the legal name of that manufacturer?” - “Is that your own facility, an associated company, or a supplier?” - “Who controls the specifications and final inspection?” - “Can we arrange a visit to the production site?” A trading company may suit your needs if it can coordinate several products, organise communication, and take clear responsibility for its part of the transaction. A direct manufacturer may suit a project requiring close production involvement. Evaluate the arrangement against your needs rather than automatically rewarding the word “factory.” For example, if you need small quantities across several categories, coordination may matter greatly. If you need a customised component, access to engineering and production decisions may matter more. The important question is whether the company can explain its role and support that explanation. ## 4. Check whether the supplier fits your order A legitimate company can still be the wrong supplier for your project. Before getting absorbed in price, explain: - The exact product or application. - Your destination market. - Your expected first-order quantity. - Any customisation or branding. - Your required delivery window. - Your essential quality requirements. Then ask where your request falls outside its normal work. Does your quantity meet its practical minimum? Has it handled the type of customisation you need? Can it provide the documents relevant to your market? Is the proposed delivery date a confirmed production commitment or an early estimate? Give suppliers enough information to answer meaningfully. “Can you make it cheaper?” invites a different conversation from: > “Which specification changes would reduce the cost, and what would those changes affect?” Write down those trade-offs before comparing quotations. ## 5. Tie every promise to an exact product A photograph and a price are not a complete specification. Record the model number and the details that materially affect performance, cost, or compliance. Depending on the product, these could include: - Materials and dimensions. - Components or battery capacity. - Voltage and plug type. - Finish and colour. - Accessories. - Packaging. - Branding. - Warranty terms. Ask: > “Is this price for the exact sample we are discussing? Please list any differences.” **Illustrative example—not a reported incident:** A buyer sees a rechargeable lamp at a booth. The demonstration uses one battery capacity, but the lowest quotation is for a smaller battery and different packaging. Both sides may be discussing a real product while assuming different specifications. Recording the model, configuration, and quotation basis makes that difference visible before it becomes a dispute. For a shortlist, keep the product photo, specification, quoted quantity, currency, delivery term, and quotation date together. ## 6. Treat certification claims as questions to investigate “We have certificates” is a starting point. Ask which documents apply to the exact model and intended destination market. Request readable copies and check the company, model, issuing organisation, and scope. Do not assume that every document carrying a laboratory logo establishes everything you need. For example, EU guidance explains that CE marking applies only to products covered by relevant rules. The manufacturer must follow the applicable conformity-assessment process and prepare the required documentation and declaration. There is no central EU authority issuing universal permission to use the CE mark; the EU also warns about misleading voluntary certificates. [European Union guidance on CE marking](https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/product-rules-compliance/general-product-compliance/ce-marking/index_en.htm) A practical question is: > “Which documents support this exact model for sale in my destination country, and how can we verify them?” Have a qualified specialist assess the requirements where needed. Do not infer compliance from the appearance of a logo on the product. ## 7. Before payment, connect the seller to the beneficiary The conversation may start with a sales contact, while the eventual payment instructions name another company. Pause and understand the relationship. Request a written explanation when the beneficiary differs from the contracting seller. An associated company or export arrangement may explain it, but the explanation needs independent checking and appropriate documentation. Be particularly careful when payment instructions change after you have already agreed them. The FBI advises checking payment requests and changes to account details through a separate verification step, such as calling a trusted contact. Urgency and slightly altered email addresses are recognised warning signs. [FBI guidance on business email compromise](https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/common-frauds-and-scams/business-email-compromise) Use a previously established or independently obtained contact number. Calling the number included in a suspicious payment-change message does not provide an independent check. Meeting a real supplier at a real booth does not prevent someone from impersonating that supplier later. ## 8. Leave the booth with evidence you can use You do not need to complete every check on the exhibition floor. You need enough information to decide what deserves further attention. Before leaving a promising booth, capture: - The contact’s name and role. - The company name and booth number. - The exact product and model. - A product photograph, with permission. - The quotation or agreed quotation request. - Important supplier claims. - Documents still outstanding. - The next action and expected response date. A useful note might read: > “Interested in model L20 for a first order of 300 units. Contact will confirm packaging options and send the legal seller’s details. Battery specification and destination-market documents still need review. Follow up on Tuesday.” That note will be more useful after the fair than “Good supplier—nice products.” Keep factual observations separate from impressions. “Showed a working sample” is an observation. “Reliable manufacturer” is a conclusion requiring more evidence. ## 9. Use warning signs to guide further checks Pay closer attention when: - Basic company details remain unclear after reasonable requests. - Product specifications change between conversations and quotations. - Important questions receive repeated vague answers. - Documents cover another model or company without explanation. - Payment details change unexpectedly. - Pressure to commit increases while evidence remains unavailable. A warning sign is a reason to investigate or pause. It is not automatically a finding of fraud. Equally, do not treat a salesperson’s English fluency, personal messaging account, company size, or need to consult a colleague as a verdict on the business. Assess the evidence and the supplier’s response to clear, reasonable questions. ## 10. Give each contact a next step Avoid sorting every company immediately into “safe” or “unsafe.” A more useful working shortlist is: - **Explore further:** The product appears relevant; basic details still need collecting. - **Verify:** The opportunity is promising; identity, capability, or documents need checking. - **Sample evaluation:** You have enough clarity to assess a defined sample under agreed terms. - **Pause:** A material inconsistency remains unresolved. - **Not a fit:** The supplier does not suit your quantity, specification, timing, or commercial needs. These are workflow stages, not safety ratings. The U.S. International Trade Administration recommends careful partner selection and due diligence before building international business relationships. The amount of checking should reflect the transaction you are considering. [ITA guidance on due diligence](https://www.trade.gov/perform-due-diligence) Your aim at Canton Fair is to leave with promising opportunities and a clear path for evaluating them. ## A message you can send after the fair > Hello [Name], > > Thank you for speaking with us at booth [number]. We are interested in [product/model] for [destination market], with an initial quantity of approximately [quantity]. > > Please send your registered company name and business licence, confirm which company would contract with us, and identify where this model would be manufactured. > > Please also provide a quotation for the exact specification discussed, including MOQ, packaging, sample cost, estimated lead time, and applicable product documents. > > Finally, please confirm who will manage our order and who can answer technical and quality questions. > > We will review the information and agree on the next step. ## Keep the card. Keep the context with it. After the fair, a stack of cards can become a collection of conversations you only partly remember. Save the contact alongside the product, quote, questions, and next action. As evidence arrives, attach it to the same supplier record. [Open My Fair](https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en/my-fair) to keep your supplier contacts and sourcing follow-up organised. If you need help understanding a company or deciding what evidence to request next, [tell ChinaConnect247 what you are sourcing](https://www.chinaconnect247.com/en?join=1). *ChinaConnect247 is independent of Canton Fair. This article offers general sourcing guidance; it does not verify any individual supplier or replace transaction-specific professional advice.* ## Sources - National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System — https://bt.gsxt.gov.cn/ - Official Canton Fair app information — https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html - FBI: Business Email Compromise — https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/common-frauds-and-scams/business-email-compromise - European Union: CE marking — https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/product-rules-compliance/general-product-compliance/ce-marking/index_en.htm - U.S. International Trade Administration: Perform Due Diligence — https://www.trade.gov/perform-due-diligence # AI glasses and the smart-wearables signal Canonical URL: https://www.chinaconnect247.com/insights/iflytek-ai-glasses-canton-fair AI glasses listed in the Canton Fair New Collection for Smart Home Appliances & AI Consumer Electronics. The official listing names iFLYTEK Co., Ltd. and booth 21.2B17-20. ## Why it is interesting AI glasses combine wearables, audio, cameras or sensors, connectivity and cloud software. For a distributor, the opportunity depends on the use case, language support, destination-market compliance, privacy model, software availability and after-sales capability as much as the physical product. ## What appears new - The product is listed in the official New Collection for AI consumer electronics - Smart wearables received a dedicated visibility signal at the 139th Canton Fair - Potential buyer segments include consumer electronics, travel, education and field service - The commercial product includes an AI and software ecosystem, not only wearable hardware ## Potential buyer markets - UAE and Saudi Arabia - United Kingdom - United States - Travel and education technology markets ## Questions buyers should ask - What can the glasses do without a connected smartphone? - Which AI functions require an internet connection or subscription? - Which languages and real-time translation pairs are supported? - What is the typical battery life during normal AI use? - Is prescription-lens compatibility available? - Which certifications apply to the intended destination market? - What warranty and international after-sales support are available? - What are the sample, distributor and volume prices and MOQ? - Are OEM, ODM or private-label arrangements available? - Are there geographic restrictions on software or AI functions? - What user data is collected, processed or stored? ## Verification status Public information only. Not yet seen by ChinaConnect247 at the fair. ## Sources - [Canton Fair New Collection listing](https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/newcollection/detail.aspx?oid=65944) - [Canton Fair Phase 1 results](https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/1010813196430598144) - [Canton Fair smart-wearables coverage](https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/1009021927719092224) - [About the Canton Fair New Collection](https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/newcollection/detail.aspx?oid=62238)