Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center (GICEC), or Canton Fair Complex, is home to China’s most important trade fair, the Canton Fair along with numerous other major international and domestic trade events. It’s the largest convention center in Asia and one of the largest in the world with a total construction area of 1.1 million square meters.
It can get confusing as this mega-building uses three names China Import and Export Fair Complex (CIEFC), or Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Center (GICEC), or simply Canton Fair Complex. Regardless, they are all one in the same.
The next event to be held here is the 135 Canton Fair, or China Import and Export Fair, which runs from April 15th to May 5th 2024.
Chinese Name: 广州国际会展中心
Address: Huizhan South 2nd Rd, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
Web: http://www.ciefc.com
Canton Fair website: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn
Getting to Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Center & Canton Fair
Metro
Take line 8 (地铁8号线) to Pazhou Metro station (琶洲). Specifically:
- For Exhibition Hall Area A take line 8 to Xingang East Metro Station, and exit A
- For Exhibition Hall Area B take line 8 to Pazhou Metro Station and exit A or B
- For Exhibition Hall Area C take line 8 to Pazhou Metro Station and exit C
See here for metro guide and latest map
For example:
From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport take line 3 to Tiyu West Road Station and transfer onto line 3 and head in the direction of Panyu then get off at Kecun Station and transfer to line 8 heading towards Wanshengwei Station getting off when you reach Pazhou Station.
That journey would take around 80 minutes and cost 9 RMB.
Note: line 3 from the airport terminates at Tiyu West Road Station requiring to disembark and to get back on to line 3 to continue onwards towards Panyu.
Taxi
- A taxi from the city center (Tianhe district) would take around 22 minutes and cost 25 RMB.
- A taxi from Guangzhou East Railway Station would take around 26 minutes and cost around 40 RMB.
- A taxi from Guangzhou South Railway Station would take around 45 minutes and cost around 80 RMB.
- A taxi from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport would take around 55 minutes and cost around 140 RMB.
Hotels Near Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center (Canton Fair Complex)
Hotels book out fast come fair season so book early, see here for a full list of my picks for convenient places to stay near the exhibition center. Here are my top three choices
Langham Place Guangzhou
The gorgeous Guangzhou Langham Hotel is just a 2-minute walk from Pazhou International Exhibition Centre. The hotel offers spa, massage, sauna, fitness centre, indoor pool, hot tub and on-site restaurants and bar.
Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou
Offering luxurious 5-star leisure facilities, Shangri-La Guangzhou features commanding views of the Pearl River and beautifully landscaped grounds. Features include a tennis court, indoor pool, massage, sauna, nightclub, fitness centre, buffet restaurant, bar and more.
The Westin Pazhou
The Westin Pazhou is located in Area C of Canton Fair Complex and offers direct access to the Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Features include a plunge pool, heated pool, sauna, spa, massage, tennis and more.
Tips for visiting the GICEC and Canton Fair Complex
- If you are visiting a trade fair such as Canton Fair do preregister as it will save you from waiting in long lines
- If you are visiting a trade fair such as the Canton Fair do take your passport, they do check passports on entry for a valid and correct visa (Business visa). I have not experienced this at smaller fairs.
- If you want to drop heavy bags there is a left luggage desk at Gate 7.
- If you are visiting a particular supplier do have their name and number written down, and its quite easy to locate their booth via digital touchscreens
- During Canton Fair, there is free WiFi
- The place is massive and can be exhausting, plan for what you really want to see, keep up with fluids and take a breather
- Don’t forget to take lots of business cards or have a scannable QR code containing your details
- Wechat App is used by everybody and is a great app for collating contacts
- Take a roller bag or backpack for carrying the ton of brochures/samples that you’ll be collecting
Floor plan of the Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre
Click for larger image
Restaurants and eateries at the Canton Fair
The is a massive food hall in the basement, be warned, it packs out at meal times and can be difficult to find a seat. Alternatively, choose one of the higher-end restaurants on site and pay a little more.
Western foods here include McDonald’s, Papa Johns, Lavazza, and Starbucks.
