This itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors attending the Canton Fair while also exploring Guangzhou’s top attractions. It balances business, sightseeing, and local experiences.

See more: Top-15 places to visit in Guangzhou

Day 1: Arrival & Canton Fair Registration

Morning: Arrival in Guangzhou

• Land at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
• Take a taxi (200-300 CNY) or metro (Line 3 + Line 8) to Pazhou Area or your hotel
• Check-in at a hotel near the Canton Fair Complex (e.g., Langham Place, Westin Pazhou)

Afternoon: Canton Fair Registration & Booth Planning

• Metro to Pazhou Station (Line 8)
• Collect Buyer Badge at the Registration Office at the fair complex
• Walk through the venue to understand the layout
• Plan booth visits for the next day (check exhibitor lists in advance)

Evening: Dinner at Cantonese Restaurant

• Try Guangzhou’s famous dim sum at Bingsheng Pinwei (炳胜品味)
• Relax early to prepare for the fair

 Tip: Pre-register online for your buyer badge to save time.

Read more:

• Canton Fair in Guangzhou – the Complete visit Guide
• All you need to know before visiting Canton fair

Day 2: Full Day at the Canton Fair

9:30 AM – 5:30 PM: Business & Supplier Meetings

• Arrive early to visit key suppliers first
• Collect catalogs, brochures, and business cards
• Take notes on pricing, MOQs, and production timelines
• Negotiate smartly but respectfully
• You may have lunch or short coffee break at the Canton fair since it has a lot of restaurants inside. Please make sure you are fine with chinese food.

Tip: Take photos of booth signs with business cards to stay organized.

Evening: Pearl River Night Cruise

• Head to Tianzi Wharf (Metro Line 6, Beijing Lu Station)
• Take a 1-hour night cruise (¥138–¥168 per person)
• Enjoy Guangzhou’s skyline, Canton Tower & IFC Building

Day 3: Half-Day at the Fair & Guangzhou Sightseeing

Morning: Final Supplier Meetings at the Canton Fair

• Follow up with key suppliers
• Place sample orders if needed
• Discuss shipping logistics

Afternoon: Explore Tianhe District (Modern Guangzhou)

• Guangzhou Library – A stunning modern library
• Guangdong Museum – Great for learning about Cantonese history
• Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城) – Walk around Guangzhou’s financial district

Evening: Visit Canton Tower

• Metro to Canton Tower Station (Line 3/Line 8)
• Go up to the 488m observation deck
• Dine at TWIST Mediterranean Buffet inside the tower

Tip: Avoid Canton Tower during weekend evenings—it gets crowded.

Day 4: Old Guangzhou & Cultural Spots

Morning: Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠)

• Metro to Chen Clan Academy Station (Line 1)
• Admire classic Lingnan architecture & folk art

Afternoon: Walking Tour of Old Guangzhou

• Shamian Island – A scenic European-style area (perfect for coffee breaks)
• Beijing Road Pedestrian Street – A top shopping street with ancient road relics
• Temple of the Six Banyan Trees – A 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple

Evening: Try Local Street Food at Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street

• Eat roast goose, wonton noodles, and sugar cane juice
• Walk through traditional Cantonese Qilou (骑楼) architecture

Tip: Shamian Island is great for photo lovers with its colonial-style buildings.

Day 5: Factory Visits or Shopping & Departure

 Option 1: Factory Visits (if sourcing products)

• Arrange a business visit to Foshan (furniture), Dongguan (electronics), or Zhongshan (lighting)
• Take a high-speed train or hire a car for easy transport

The best way is to find factories you want to visit before your trip! Normally, factories can arrange car to pick up the customer at the railway station or from the hotel. Avoid lunch time, because all factories stop working during the lunch break (11:30 – 1 pm).

Option 2: Shopping for Business or Leisure

• Visit Huimei plaza and markets around it – Fabric, clothing, fashion accessories
• Onelink Plaza at Haizhu square – Gifts, home décor, small items for resale
• Go to Tiyuxilu area (Teemall, Taikouhui, Park Central)  – Guangzhou’s biggest shopping malls are located here!

Evening: Departure from Guangzhou

• Take the metro (Line 3) or taxi (¥150) to Baiyun Airport
• Fly home with business leads and great memories!

Additional Travel Tips

• Stay near Pazhou or Tianhe for easy fair & city access
• Use WeChat Pay/Alipay for payments (cash isn’t widely accepted)
• Bring a rolling bag for carrying catalogs & product samples
• Use WeChat for supplier communication (many suppliers don’t use email often)
• Avoid peak metro hours (8-9 AM, 5-7 PM)