Phase 1 Opens Today
The 139th Canton Fair Phase 1 officially opens on April 15, 2026. The doors open at 9:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM. If you are reading this from your hotel room in Guangzhou, here is what you need to know before you step outside.
The fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District. The nearest metro stations are Pazhou (Line 8) and Canton Fair (Tram Line). If you are staying in Tianhe (the CBD area), the metro takes about 25-30 minutes. Take Line 3 south to Kecun, transfer to Line 8, and get off at Pazhou. Do not take a taxi during morning rush hour — the traffic around Pazhou in the first two days is brutal.
Registration and Entry
If you have not registered online, you can register on-site at the Registration Hall near the East Gate. Bring your passport — you will need it for the buyer badge. Registration is free for overseas buyers. The process takes about 15-20 minutes, but on Day 1 morning the line can be 45 minutes or longer. If possible, register online at cantonfair.org.cn before you arrive.
Your buyer badge gets you access to all halls in all phases. You do not need separate tickets for Phase 1, 2, and 3. Keep the badge with you at all times — security checks it at every entrance.
Hall Layout for Phase 1
Phase 1 covers electronics, electrical products, machinery, vehicles, building materials, lighting, and chemical products. The exhibition space is split across three areas:
**Area A** (Halls 1.1–5.1): Electronics and household electrical appliances. This is where most first-time buyers spend their time. Consumer electronics, smart home, audio, and personal care electronics are here.
**Area B** (Halls 8.0–13.1): Lighting, vehicles, and spare parts. If you are sourcing LED products, vehicle accessories, or motorcycle parts, head here first.
**Area C** (Halls 14.1–16.1): Machinery, hardware, tools, and building materials. The industrial stuff. Less foot traffic but serious buyers with larger order values.
Pick one area to focus on for Day 1. Do not try to cover all three areas in one day. You will exhaust yourself and remember nothing by evening.
5 Things to Do in Your First Hour
1. Grab the official floor plan at any information desk. It is a large paper map that shows every hall, every aisle, and every booth number. The digital map on the Canton Fair app also works, but the paper version is faster when you are walking.
2. Walk the main aisle of your target hall without stopping. Get a feel for the layout, the types of products, and the density of booths. This takes 10-15 minutes and gives you a mental map.
3. Identify 5-8 booths that match your product category. Look at their displays, not their banners. The booth with the most product variety is usually a trading company. The booth with 3-4 focused products in the same category is more likely a factory.
4. Start conversations at the smaller booths first. Day 1 morning is when the staff is freshest and most eager to talk. By Day 3, they are tired and less patient with basic questions.
5. Download WeChat if you have not already. Every supplier you meet will want to exchange WeChat contacts. Business cards are secondary. WeChat is how all follow-up communication happens after the fair.
Food and Logistics
There are food courts in each area, but the lines are long between 12:00 and 1:30 PM. Eat early (11:30) or late (2:00) to avoid the crowd. The food is basic Chinese cafeteria style — rice, noodles, and simple dishes for about 30-50 RMB ($4-7). If you have dietary restrictions, pack a lunch.
Bring a portable phone charger. You will be scanning WeChat QR codes, taking product photos, and using the Canton Fair app all day. Your phone battery will not survive past 2 PM without a backup.
Wear comfortable shoes. This is not a suggestion — it is a requirement. You will walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps today. Dress shoes are a mistake. Sneakers or flat walking shoes are the right choice.
The Mindset for Day 1
Day 1 is for research, not for deals. Your goal today is to identify 10-15 potential suppliers, collect their contact info, and understand the price range for your target products. Do not negotiate hard today. Do not commit to anything today. Just observe, compare, and take notes.
The real negotiation happens on Day 3, 4, and 5, after you have visited enough booths to understand the market price. Suppliers know this. They give their best prices to buyers who come back a second time, because a returning buyer signals serious intent.
For a structured checklist and supplier comparison template you can use on the fair floor, visit chinasourcingadvisor.com. We built these tools specifically for first-time Canton Fair visitors who want to make the most of every hour in the exhibition halls.