Trade Fairs and Hotels in China


The best way to buy from China is to go there in person: meet the seller, see the product, check the quality, and confirm the real price. For that, the best option is to visit a trade fair for the product you’re interested in.

There are many trade fairs in China, and here we give you a short overview of the most important ones. If you need help with a fair visit, such as choosing the right event, finding accommodation, or handling logistics, contact us.

Below you’ll find practical information about traveling to China, visas, accommodation, and an overview of current trade fairs by industry.

How to get to China?

The easiest and most practical way to get to China is by plane. Most major Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, have direct international flights from many European and global hubs. Depending on where you are flying from, the trip can often be arranged with one direct flight or one connection.

Flight prices vary depending on the airline, the season, and when you book your ticket — whether you buy it days, weeks, or months in advance. In most cases, booking earlier means a better price, while last-minute travel usually costs more.

Once you arrive in China, if you have time, it is worth visiting other cities as well, since domestic flights are often quite affordable compared with the length of the trip. A round-trip domestic flight lasting about 2–4 hours can usually be found for around 30–80 €, depending on the airline, city, season, and booking time. You should not expect luxury-level comfort, but the service on most domestic routes is generally decent.

Visa and entry requirements for China

For most foreign nationals, a visa is required to enter China, and the conditions depend on your country of origin, the purpose of travel (business, tourism, study, work), and the length of stay. Before traveling, make sure to check the current visa rules and entry requirements with the Chinese embassy or the relevant consulate in your country.

For short business and tourist visits to trade fairs, people usually use tourist or business visas, while longer stays, work, study, or other specific purposes require the appropriate visa category. Rules change from time to time, so it is important to check the latest information on official channels or through your travel or business agent before you go.

In some cases, there are also special visa-free arrangements or exemptions, such as visa-free transit in certain cities and for specific time limits, so it is worth checking whether such options apply to your country’s passport holders.

You can read more about visa types, the application process, and the required documents on the page: China Visas – Practical Information .

Hotels in China

For finding hotels in China, people now mostly use modern global websites:

You can also try the specialized site ChinaHotelsReservation. This site is useful because, besides city selection, online booking, and hotel prices, it also lets you choose hotels near trade fair venues with its Hot Zone Hotels option.Note: Access to this website may be restricted outside China.

Next to each hotel name there is an icon that opens a map view of the hotel location in the city, so you can easily see where it is in relation to the fair complex and other places you want to visit, but many older websites like this one have had accessibility issues from Europe in recent years. We recommend starting with Trip.com, Ctrip, or Booking.com, since they are more stable platforms.

Trade shows in China

10times.com is a global trade show portal based in India. Formerly BizTradeshow, now rebranded as 10times, it offers a large collection of trade fairs from around the world, including a big number of fairs in China.

Links to always up-to-date upcoming trade fairs in China can be found in the list below. The fairs are sorted by industry, such as agriculture, textiles, electronics, machinery, construction, food, tourism, and many others.

On those links, you can see a list of upcoming trade fairs in the selected industry. Next to each fair, you will usually find the date, location, and a short description. By clicking a fair, you can get more detailed information and application forms for attending as an exhibitor or a visitor, or you can contact the organizer directly with any questions you may have.

Canton Fair

Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) in Guangzhou is the largest and best-known trade fair in China. It is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and is split into three phases with different product groups such as machinery, electronics, household goods, textiles, fashion, and everyday products.

Typical phase dates for the spring and autumn fair are:

  • Phase 1: April 15–19 / October 15–19
  • Phase 2: April 23–27 / October 23–27
  • Phase 3: May 1–5 / October 31–November 4

For current dates, registration, and phase details, visit the official website: Canton Fair .

Frequently asked questions about trade fairs and accommodation

Do I need to register to visit a trade fair in China?

Most trade fairs in China are open to business visitors, but major fairs like the Canton Fair require registration and the issue of a visitor badge. Registration is usually done online on the fair’s official website or on site with a passport. As an exhibitor, you need to apply directly with the organizer.

What is the best time to visit trade fairs in China?

Most fairs in China are held in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). The Canton Fair is traditionally held in April and October in three phases, so those are the most common periods for business visits.

How do I find a hotel near the fair?

The easiest way is to use booking sites such as chinahotelsreservation.com, Booking.com, Agoda, and similar platforms to filter hotels by location and choose properties close to the fair complex. For big trade fairs, it is best to book early because rooms sell out quickly.

Do I need a visa for a short business visit to a fair?

For most foreign nationals, a visa is required to enter China, and the rules depend on your country of origin, the purpose of travel, and the length of stay. For short business and tourist visits to trade fairs, people usually use tourist or business visas. Before traveling, always check the current entry rules and visa requirements with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, since conditions can change from time to time.

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