Guangzhou Exhibitions: A Full Calendar of Fairs and How to Pick the Right One

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Guangzhou Trade Shows

Planning a business trip or looking for the latest industry trends in Guangzhou? The city hosts a wide range of major exhibitions covering trade, beauty, automotive, lighting, furniture and design. For Singaporean travellers, Guangzhou is also relatively easy to reach with direct flights from Singapore.

From the famous Canton Fair to specialised industry events, there are plenty of opportunities to discover new products and connect with suppliers. Exhibition venues are mainly concentrated around Pazhou and the Canton Fair Complex, making it convenient to plan your visit.

Here’s a quick guide to the key Guangzhou exhibitions in 2026 and 2027, including their dates, themes and venues.

Guangzhou Trade Shows Overview

Guangzhou hosts both the general Canton Fair and major industry-specific trade shows. For negotiations with specialised manufacturers, an industry event is often a better fit for your goals.

First, identify the product category and the type of contacts you need: suppliers of finished goods, manufacturers, technology partners, designers, or distributors. Then, align your task with the dates and the venue.

Exhibition

Theme / Best For

2026–2027 Dates

Venue

Canton Fair

Various product categories, exports and supplier sourcing

2026: Oct 15–19, Oct 23–27, Oct 31–Nov 4

2027: Not yet released

Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou

CIFF Guangzhou

Furniture, interiors and equipment

2027: Mar 18–21, Mar 28–31

Canton Fair Complex; PWTC Expo during the first phase

China (Guangzhou) International Beauty Expo (CIBE)

Cosmetics, salons, retail chains and distribution

2026: Mar 10–12, Sep 4–6

2027: Not yet announced

Canton Fair Complex

Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE)

Lighting technology, LED and building automation

2027: Jun 9–12

Canton Fair Complex

Auto Guangzhou

Cars, cars components and automotive technologies

2026: Nov 27–Dec 6B2B Zone: Nov 27–30

2027: Not yet announced

Canton Fair Complex

Guangzhou Design Week

Design, interiors, materials and architecture

2026: Dec 4–8Some venues: Dec 5–8

2027: Not yet announced

PWTC Expo, Area C China Import and Export Fair Complex, Haizhu International Convention and Exhibition Center

CBD Fair Guangzhou

Construction and interior finishing

2027: Jul 8–11

Canton Fair Complex

The schedule and venue lineup are subject to change, which may affect tickets, hotel bookings, and meetups. Before making any non-refundable purchases, please double-check the session page against the venue's calendar; if there are any discrepancies, hold off on payment or opt for a refundable rate.

The Canton Fair — Guangzhou's Premier Exhibition

A pavilion at the Canton Fair complex in Guangzhou and the escalator at the entrance

The Canton Fair is a go-to option for companies looking for a wide selection of Chinese suppliers. It takes place in three phases: the first is dedicated to industrial equipment, electronics, transport, and energy; the second to household goods, gifts, furniture, and building materials; and the third to clothing, textiles, children's products, food, health, and leisure. That's why you need to choose not just the session, but the right phase as well.

In the fall of 2026, the phases will take place from October 15–19, October 23–27, and October 31–November 4. For the 140th session, 1.55 million m² of exhibition space and over 30,000 companies have been announced. Such a scale allows you to compare many offers, but without a pre-prepared list of categories and exhibitors, a significant amount of time will be spent just getting around.

Before your visit, identify two or three priority categories and map out your route through the pavilions. At a multi-industry trade fair, it is especially important not to mix tasks from different phases. If your product range is niche, compare the Canton Fair with a specialized event, for example, CIFF for furniture or GILE for lighting.

Separate materials will help you find a general overview of the Canton Fair and understand registration, phases, the autumn session, the complex's location, travel routes from Singapore, and how to choose a hotel near the venue.

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Industry Exhibitions by Topic

Trade Show Expo

Specialized trade fairs are convenient when the industry is already defined and the depth of the assortment is more important than the number of product categories. They allow for more focused discussions on specifications, materials, technologies, and sales channels.

Furniture and Interior

CIFF Guangzhou is one of the world's largest furniture exhibitions. It’s a perfect destination for purchasing groups, retailers, distributors, designers, and furniture industry professionals. In 2027, the first phase will take place from March 18–21, focusing on home furniture, decor, textiles, and leisure goods; the second phase, from March 28–31, will cover office and commercial spaces, equipment, and materials. In 2026, the exhibition spanned 850,000 m² and brought together over 5,100 brands. The main venue is the Canton Fair Complex, with the first phase also utilizing the PWTC Expo. You can find the program and hall maps on the official CIFF website.

Beauty and Cosmetics

The China (Guangzhou) International Beauty Expo (CIBE) is geared toward cosmetics manufacturers and distributors, beauty salon owners, and retail chain representatives. Don't confuse it with the China Beauty Expo (CBE), which takes place in Shanghai. The Guangzhou expo is held twice a year—in March and September; the organizer has not yet published the dates for the 2027 spring and autumn sessions. Each session covers about 300,000 m² and is held at the Canton Fair Complex. Check the official CIBE website for current dates and the program. If you'd like to explore retail assortments and price segments separately, check out our guide to cosmetics stores in Guangzhou.

Lighting & LED Technology

GILE is a great fit for lighting and LED buyers, manufacturers, lighting designers, architects, and building automation specialists. The next exhibition will take place from June 9–12, 2027, at the Canton Fair Complex. The 2026 figures—2,802 exhibitors, 210,128 visitors, and 210,000 m²—refer to two concurrent events, GILE and Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology, rather than GILE alone. You can find the program and exhibitor catalogue on the official GILE website.

Car

Auto Guangzhou combines a public auto show with a professional industry event. The main exhibition will take place from November 27–December 6, 2026, while the Automotive Industrial Chain B2B zone for component and technology suppliers will be held from November 27–30 in Area D of the Canton Fair Complex. This event is perfect for automakers, dealers, distributors, and other supply chain participants. In 2023, the exhibition space spanned 220,000 m². You can find the latest dates, details on the B2B zone, and visitor guidelines on the organizer's website.

Design

Guangzhou Design Week is a must-visit for designers, architects, developers, contractors, and material manufacturers alike. In 2026, the exhibition will be hosted at the PWTC Expo from December 4–8, while the Canton Fair Complex (Area C) and the Haizhu International Convention and Exhibition Center will welcome visitors from December 5–8. The program promises an incredible lineup with over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 150 events. You can find the full breakdown of the program across these three venues in the official Guangzhou Design Week schedule.

Construction

CBD Fair Guangzhou is perfect for suppliers of building and finishing materials, door and window manufacturers, interior design companies, dealers, and designers. The next session will take place from July 8–11, 2027, at the Canton Fair Complex. In 2026, the organizers reported 200,000 m², around 2,000 exhibitors, and 144,370 professional visitors. You can find the thematic sections and entry requirements on the official CBD Fair website.

Trains from Guangzhou for business travel
МаршрутВремя в путиЦель поездкиБилеты
Guangzhou South - Foshan West from 17 min furniture and interiorFind tickets
Guangzhou - Dongguan from 13 minutes manufacturers and suppliersFind tickets
Guangzhou East - Shenzhen from 29 min electronics and technologyFind tickets
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Guangzhou's Exhibition Venues

Pazhou venues

Most of the events listed take place in the Pazhou area. The Canton Fair Complex is the main exhibition centre; the term "Pazhou Complex" is often used as its unofficial name. However, the word "Pazhou" can refer to the entire district and is not a substitute for a precise address. Poly World Trade Center Expo, Poly World Trade Expo, and PWTC Expo are all names for the same venue. Note that the PWTC Expo is a separate center, not just another name for the Canton Fair Complex.

For each event, be sure to check the Area, hall, and entrance numbers against your registration confirmation. Look for specific company booths in the exhibitor catalog and on the floor plan. If the program is spread across multiple centers, as is the case with Guangzhou Design Week, plan your route in advance for each location separately. The Haizhu International Convention and Exhibition Center is also a separate venue. You can also cross-reference general event dates with the Canton Fair Complex and PWTC Expo calendars.

How to Plan a Business Trip

5-step process

Choose a trade show by category, register with the organizer, and compile a list of companies. Set aside separate days for Guangzhou's wholesale markets and factories: the distances rarely allow you to get everything done in a single day.

Entry requirements depend on your citizenship, passport, purpose of travel, and dates. Before paying for your tickets, check whether you need a visa for Guangzhou and what is required for your trip to China. If visa-free entry does not apply to you, obtain a visa in advance.

During major exhibitions, demand for hotels in the Pazhou area usually rises and prices increase, so book your accommodation in advance and choose a rate with free cancellation. Compare hotels near the Canton Fair complex; if staying in Pazhou is too expensive or inconvenient, consider options near Metro Line 8 stations.

When choosing a trade show in Guangzhou, it's better to focus on the industry, the contacts you need, and the negotiation format rather than just the fame of the event's name. First, identify two or three priority categories, then prepare a list of exhibitors and split your time between the exhibition, markets, and factories on different days. This approach will leave you enough time for both negotiations and comparing suppliers. Save this calendar as a starting point and refer back to it when planning your work itinerary.

💥Useful Tip: Planning a trip to the Canton Fair? The China Go page features offers on flights, hotels, trains, and transfers across China. Choose the services you need and prepare for your business trip to Guangzhou all in one place.

FAQs: Guangzhou Trade Shows

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Alex

Alex

Asia Explorer

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Hi, I’m Alex! I started travelling as a way to take a break from my busy work life, but over the years, it became my passion. From weekend getaways around Asia to longer journeys exploring different cities, I love researching hidden gems, trying local food, and creating practical travel plans. Through my travel guides, I hope to share tips and useful recommendations to help fellow travellers plan meaningful adventures.

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