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Canton Fair Travel Guide — Part 2: Where to Stay, What to Eat and What to Take Home
A successful Canton Fair trip is not only about meetings and orders. Choosing the right hotel can save hours in traffic, while a good Cantonese meal is often the perfect setting for continuing a business conversation.
Here is a practical guide for international visitors staying in Guangzhou, with a few recommendations from nearby Zhongshan as well.
Where to stay in Guangzhou
1. Pazhou and the surrounding Haizhu area
This is the most convenient option if your main priority is attending the Canton Fair.
The Canton Fair Complex is in Pazhou, and hotels near Pazhou, Wanshengwei or Modiesha can significantly reduce your daily travel time. Some hotels also operate shuttle buses during the fair.
The main advantage is convenience. The downside is that hotel prices rise quickly during exhibition periods, and the immediate area can feel quieter in the evening.
Book early and check the exact distance to a metro station before confirming your hotel. A property described as being “near the Canton Fair” may still require a long taxi ride during peak hours.
2. Zhujiang New Town
Zhujiang New Town is a good choice for visitors who want a balance between business and leisure.
This modern business district has international hotels, shopping centres, restaurants and plenty of places for client meetings. It is also close to major Guangzhou landmarks, including Canton Tower and the Pearl River.
It is not as close to the exhibition complex as Pazhou, so allow extra time in the morning. However, it is a more convenient area for dinners, meetings and evening activities.
3. Tianhe
Tianhe is one of Guangzhou’s main commercial districts and offers a wide range of hotels at different price levels.
It is suitable for buyers who have meetings in different parts of the city, not only at the Canton Fair. The area around Zhujiang New Town, Tiyu Xilu and Guangzhou East Railway Station has convenient transport connections and many international dining options.
4. Yuexiu or Beijing Road
If you would like to experience more of traditional Guangzhou, consider staying near Beijing Road, Haizhu Square or Yuexiu.
These areas are farther from the Canton Fair Complex but offer easier access to historic streets, traditional restaurants and local markets. They are better suited to visitors extending their trip for sightseeing.
Practical hotel advice
During the Canton Fair, traffic around the exhibition centre becomes extremely busy before opening and after closing.
If possible:
● Choose a hotel within walking distance of a metro station.
● Use Metro Line 8 when travelling to the Canton Fair Complex.
● Leave earlier than usual for morning meetings.
● Confirm whether breakfast and exhibition shuttle services are included.
● Ask the hotel whether English-speaking staff are available.
● Carry the hotel name and address in Chinese for taxi drivers.
● Avoid booking solely based on the straight-line distance shown on a map.
What to eat in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese cuisine. The flavours are generally fresh and balanced rather than heavily seasoned, making local food approachable for most international visitors.
Morning dim sum
Dim sum is one of the best ways to begin a day in Guangzhou. It is normally shared around the table with Chinese tea.
Popular choices include:
● Har gow — steamed shrimp dumplings
● Siu mai — steamed pork and shrimp dumplings
● Char siu bao — barbecue pork buns
● Cheung fun — steamed rice noodle rolls
● Egg tarts
● Steamed spare ribs
● Turnip cake
Dim sum restaurants can be crowded in the morning, especially at weekends. If you are inviting clients, reserving a private room is a good idea.
Roast goose and char siu
Cantonese roast meats are another local speciality. Roast goose is known for its crisp skin and rich flavour, while char siu is barbecued pork with a sweet and savoury glaze.
They are commonly served with rice and are an easy choice for a quick lunch between meetings.
Claypot rice
Claypot rice is cooked and served in a traditional clay pot. The rice at the bottom becomes crisp, while ingredients such as Chinese sausage, chicken, mushrooms or salted fish add flavour.
It is especially popular during cooler weather. As it is cooked to order, allow a little more time.
Wonton noodles
Cantonese wonton noodles usually come with thin egg noodles, shrimp-filled wontons and a light broth. It is a simple, reliable option when you want a quick meal after a long day at the exhibition.
Double-skin milk pudding and Cantonese desserts
For something sweet, try double-skin milk pudding, ginger milk curd or traditional sweet soups. These desserts are usually lighter and less sweet than many Western desserts.
A useful dining tip
Many restaurants provide menus with photographs, but English translations are not always available. Translation apps are helpful, and hotel staff can write down restaurant names or dietary requirements in Chinese.
If you do not eat pork, seafood or certain meats, make this clear before ordering. Vegetarian dishes may still contain meat-based stock or oyster sauce, so it is worth checking.
What gifts to buy in Guangzhou
A practical business gift should be easy to carry, locally recognisable and suitable for sharing with colleagues or family.
Cantonese tea
Tea is one of the safest and most presentable gifts. Common choices include pu’er, tieguanyin, black tea and jasmine tea.
Buy from an established tea shop and ask for sealed packaging if you are taking it overseas.
Traditional Cantonese pastries
Lotus seed paste cakes, wife cakes, almond cookies and other traditional pastries are widely available. Check the expiry date and choose individually wrapped products for easier travel.
Xinhui dried tangerine peel
Known as chenpi, this aged dried tangerine peel is a well-known Guangdong speciality. It is commonly used for tea, cooking and traditional wellness preparations.
Quality and price vary considerably depending on age and origin, so purchase it from a reputable shop.
Guangzhou cultural souvenirs
Small items featuring Canton Tower, traditional Lingnan architecture, Cantonese opera or lion-dance designs are easy to pack and make suitable keepsakes.
Gifts from Zhongshan
If your trip includes Zhongshan, look for Zhongshan almond cakes. Despite the English name, the traditional version is mainly made from mung bean flour and has a dry, crumbly texture. It is one of the city’s best-known local gifts.
Vacuum-packed food products are also available, but always check your destination country’s customs rules before carrying meat, fruit, seeds or other agricultural products.
Planning a factory visit in Zhongshan
Guangzhou and Zhongshan are both located in the Greater Bay Area, making it possible to combine a Canton Fair visit with a factory meeting.
International buyers interested in PVC decorative films or architectural window films are welcome to arrange a visit to our factory in Fusha, Zhongshan.
During the visit, we can discuss:
● PVC decorative film colours, textures and applications
● Self-adhesive, lamination and vacuum-press film options
● Architectural solar-control and safety window films
● Jumbo-width window film for large glass façades
● Samples, technical specifications and project requirements
● Production processes and quality control
Please book in advance so we can prepare the appropriate samples and arrange the visit properly.
Mark | AIGA Living (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
WhatsApp: +86 159 1908 5505
Email: aigaliving.sales@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wrapfilmroll.com/
