Where is the Canton Fair Held?

By Yaurapulse

Supplier Verification & Communication

You have heard about the Canton Fair - the world's largest trade fair. You know it is in China. But where exactly? Is it in Beijing? Shanghai? Hong Kong? And once you know the city, how do you get to the actual venue?

Where is the Canton Fair held?

The Canton Fair is held in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex. The venue is located in the Pazhou area of Haizhu District, at No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510335. It is directly connected to the Pazhou Metro Station on Line 8, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city.

In this guide, I will give you the exact venue location, explain the different exhibition areas (A, B, C, D), describe the venue size and facilities, and help you navigate to the fair.

The venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex

The Canton Fair takes place at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, also known as the Canton Fair Complex. It is one of the largest exhibition venues in the world.

Official address:

  • No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
  • Postal code: 510335

Key facts about the venue:

  • Total indoor exhibition area: approximately 1.55 million square meters
  • Number of booths: over 74,000
  • Number of exhibitors: over 32,000 companies
  • Consists of 4 main areas: A, B, C, and D

TIP: Save the Chinese address in your phone. You can show it to taxi drivers or use it in navigation apps.

The four exhibition areas: A, B, C, D

The Canton Fair Complex is divided into four main areas, each with multiple halls:

Area A:

  • The original and largest area
  • Hosts electronics, machinery, hardware, and industrial products
  • Connected directly to Pazhou Metro Station (Line 8)

Area B:

  • Located next to Area A
  • Hosts building materials, sanitary ware, and home products
  • Connected to Area A via a pedestrian bridge

Area C:

  • Located on the southern side of the complex
  • Hosts furniture, home decor, gifts, and toys
  • The buyer registration center is here (Hall 16, 1st Floor)

Area D:

  • The newest area, opened in 2023
  • Increased the total exhibition area by 25%
  • Hosts new product categories including smart manufacturing and new energy

TIP: The four areas are connected by walkways and bridges. You can walk between them, but the distances are long. Use the free electric shuttle carts if you need to move between areas quickly.

How big is the Canton Fair complex?

The Canton Fair Complex is massive. Here are some key numbers:

  • Total indoor exhibition area: about 1.55 million square meters
  • Number of exhibition halls: over 60
  • Most halls are multi-story (ground floor plus 1-2 upper levels)
  • Covering all areas in one day can mean 15-20 kilometers of walking
  • Number of exhibitors: 32,000+ companies per session
  • Number of buyers: 300,000+ overseas buyers per session

To put it in perspective: The Canton Fair is larger than most other major trade fairs in the world. It is roughly the size of 200 standard soccer fields.

TIP: Do not try to see everything. Plan your visit based on your product category and focus on 1-2 halls per day. Wear comfortable shoes.

History of the venue

The Canton Fair has a long history, and its venue has evolved over time:

1957: The Canton Fair was first held in Guangzhou. It was originally called the Chinese Export Commodities Exhibition.

Early years: The fair moved between various venues in Guangzhou, including the Liuhua area.

2008: The current Pazhou complex (Areas A, B, C) was completed and became the permanent venue.

2023: Area D was opened, expanding the venue by 25% and making it the largest Canton Fair in history.

Why Guangzhou?

Guangzhou was chosen as the host city because of its historical role as a trading port and its proximity to Hong Kong. In the early years, Guangzhou's location allowed foreign buyers to travel via Hong Kong to reach the fair. Over the decades, Beijing and Shanghai reportedly tried to have the fair relocated, but it has remained in Guangzhou.

TIP: The Canton Fair has been held in Guangzhou since 1957 - over 65 years. It is a permanent fixture of the city.

How to get to the Canton Fair complex

There are several ways to reach the venue from different parts of Guangzhou:

1. Guangzhou Metro (recommended):

  • Take Line 8 to Pazhou Station
  • Exit A or B leads directly to Area A
  • The metro is the fastest and most reliable way to reach the fair
  • Fare: 2-7 RMB depending on your starting point

2. Taxi or Didi:

  • Use Didi for convenience
  • A taxi from Tianhe district costs 25-50 RMB
  • A taxi from Baiyun Airport costs 130-200 RMB
  • During peak hours, traffic can be heavy

3. Hotel shuttle bus:

  • Many hotels offer free shuttle buses to the Canton Fair
  • Check with your hotel when booking

4. Official Canton Fair shuttle bus:

  • Free shuttle buses from the venue to major downtown hotels
  • Available during exhibition days

TIP: During the Canton Fair, the Pazhou metro station and surrounding roads get very crowded, especially during the morning rush (8:00-10:00 AM) and evening rush (5:00-7:00 PM). Arrive early or use the shuttle bus to avoid crowds.

Nearby landmarks and facilities

The Canton Fair complex is located in the Pazhou area of Haizhu District, which has developed into a major business and exhibition hub. Nearby facilities include:

Hotels:

  • Shangri-La Guangzhou (adjacent to the venue)
  • Canton Fair Hotel (next to Area A)
  • Many 3-5 star hotels within walking distance

Shopping and dining:

  • Pace Mall - nearby shopping center
  • Various restaurants and cafes around the venue
  • Food courts inside the exhibition halls

Transportation:

  • Pazhou Metro Station (Line 8) - directly connected
  • Xingangdong Metro Station (Line 8) - one stop away
  • Multiple bus stops around the venue

TIP: The area around the Canton Fair has many hotels, but they fill up quickly and prices double or triple during the fair. Book 2-3 months in advance.

Navigating inside the venue

With 60+ halls spread across 4 areas, navigation inside the venue can be challenging. Here is how to find your way:

  1. Download the Canton Fair app. Available on iOS and Android. Has venue maps and exhibitor listings. Offers booth-level navigation in selected halls. Can generate the best walking route between booths.
  2. Pick up a printed map. Available at information desks. Shows all halls, areas, and facilities. Mark the booths you want to visit before you go.
  3. Follow the signs. The venue is well-signposted in both Chinese and English. Color-coded signs guide you to different areas.
  4. Use the electric shuttle carts. Free carts run between Areas A, B, and D. Saves time and energy.

TIP: Before you arrive, use the Canton Fair website or app to search for exhibitors by product category and create a list of booths to visit. Plan your route by hall to minimize walking.

Buyer registration and badge collection

If you have not pre-registered, you will need to collect your buyer badge at the venue:

Location: Canton Fair Badge Service Center, East Side, 1st Floor, Area C, Hall 16. Near Exit C of Pazhou Metro Station.

What you need:

  • Your passport
  • Your company business card
  • Invitation letter from a supplier (if applicable)
  • Pre-registration confirmation (if you registered online)

TIP: Register online in advance at cantonfair.org.cn to avoid long queues at the venue. On-site registration can take 30-60 minutes during peak hours.

What city is the Canton Fair in?

The Canton Fair is held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. Guangzhou is:

  • The third-largest city in China (after Beijing and Shanghai)
  • A major international trade and commerce hub
  • Located about 120 km northwest of Hong Kong
  • Known historically as Canton (hence Canton Fair)
  • One of China's most important port cities

Why is it called the Canton Fair?

Canton is the old English name for Guangzhou. The fair was founded in 1957 when the city was still commonly referred to as Canton in English. The name has stuck, even though the city is now officially called Guangzhou.

Bottom Line

  1. City: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
  2. Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex
  3. Address: No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510335
  4. Metro: Pazhou Station (Line 8) - directly connected to the venue
  5. Four areas: A, B, C, and D (D opened in 2023)
  6. Size: 1.55 million sqm, 74,000+ booths, 32,000+ exhibitors
  7. Buyer registration: Area C, Hall 16, 1st Floor
  8. History: Held in Guangzhou since 1957
  9. Also known as: The Canton Fair (Canton is the old name for Guangzhou)
  10. Navigation: Use the Canton Fair app for maps and booth-level guidance

The Canton Fair is permanently located in Guangzhou's Pazhou area. The venue is huge but well-connected by metro and well-signposted. Save the Chinese address in your phone, plan your visit using the official app, and wear comfortable shoes - you will be doing a lot of walking.

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