Canton Fair 2026: Dates, Phases and How to Get Internet in China
When is the Canton Fair 2026? The autumn session, the 140th, runs from October 15 to November 4 in three five-day phases at the Pazhou complex in Guangzhou. And right after the dates comes the question that really matters: how do you get internet in China when WhatsApp and Google don’t work there? With an eSIM you install before you fly. The Gigapanda China eSIM has unlimited data from $9.90 for 3 days, and with it WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and Instagram work just like at home, no VPN needed.
What are the Canton Fair 2026 dates?
You can’t cover the fair in a single phase: each one brings its own product groups, so pick carefully before you book your flight.
| Phase | Dates | What you’ll find |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15 to 19 | Advanced manufacturing: electronics, machinery and vehicles, among others |
| Phase 2 | October 23 to 27 | Home: household goods, gifts, decor, furniture and building materials |
| Phase 3 | October 31 to November 4 | Everyday life: clothing, shoes, bags, office supplies, food and health |
There’s no fair from October 20 to 22 or from October 28 to 30: those are the changeover days. If you’re doing two phases back to back, use them for factory visits or supplier follow-ups. The full list of sectors is on the official Canton Fair website.
How do I register as a buyer?
Registration is free. Pre-register on the official website and pick up your badge when you arrive: there are collection points at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal and some hotels in the city. Get it done before the trip and skip the first-day queue.
The easiest way to reach the complex is the metro: Line 8 stops at Xingang Dong, for areas A and D, and at Pazhou, for areas B and C.
Are there other trade fairs in China around the same dates?
- Yiwu Fair, October 21 to 24. The 32nd China Yiwu International Commodities Fair lands right between phases 1 and 2 of the Canton Fair, with a public day on the 25th. Yiwu is in Zhejiang province, a long way from Guangzhou, so plan that leg ahead of time. Dates and registration are on its official website.
- CIIE in Shanghai, November 5 to 10. The China International Import Expo is the showcase for companies that want to sell to China rather than buy from it. It takes place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center and opens the day after the Canton Fair closes.
Put Guangzhou, Yiwu and Shanghai in one trip and you’re looking at almost a month in China. That calls for a long plan; more on that below.
Do WhatsApp and Google work in China?
Not on Chinese internet. In mainland China, Google, Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are blocked, and that usually includes hotel wifi and the fair’s wifi, as well as local SIM cards. It’s the first surprise for anyone who lands unprepared: you want to text home and WhatsApp just sits there on “connecting”.
With the Gigapanda China eSIM you use the local 4G and 5G network, but your connection goes out to the internet through Hong Kong. That’s why WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and Instagram work just like at home, with no VPN to install or pay for. There’s nothing to configure: scan the QR code and you’re set.
One tip that pays off at the fair: plenty of suppliers will ask for your WeChat to send you catalogs and quotes. Download WeChat and Alipay before you fly and link your Visa or Mastercard, because in China almost everything is paid by phone, from taxis to coffee.
How much data does a day at the fair use?
More than you’d think. Product photos and videos, the translator app, the video call with your business partner and the PDF catalogs coming in on WeChat add up fast. That’s why for the Canton Fair we recommend unlimited data. Here are today’s prices:
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 3 days | $9.90 | Arriving, registering and one day at the fair |
| Unlimited 5 days | $15.90 | One phase, arriving just in time |
| Unlimited 7 days | $20.90 | One phase plus travel days |
| Unlimited 10 days | $30.90 | One phase and factory visits |
| Unlimited 15 days | $40.90 | Two phases back to back |
| Unlimited 20 days | $50.90 | Two phases plus supplier visits |
| Unlimited 30 days | $59.90 | All three phases, or Guangzhou, Yiwu and Shanghai |
| 3 GB · 30 days | $6.90 | Just messaging and maps |
| 10 GB · 30 days | $13.90 | Moderate use on a short trip |
| 20 GB · 30 days | $19.90 | A week of photos and video calls |
| 30 GB · 30 days | $26.90 | Two weeks of heavy use |
| 50 GB · 30 days | $34.90 | A month of heavy use |
Unlimited plans include 3 GB a day at full speed; go past that and you stay connected at reduced speed, back to full speed the next day. Your plan starts with your first data use in China, so you can install it at home. And you pay however suits you: in dollars by card or PayPal, or in your own currency, euros and pounds included.
Flying in through Hong Kong?
If you land in Hong Kong, the high-speed train takes you from West Kowloon to Guangzhou South in under an hour on the fastest services. Heads up: Hong Kong isn’t covered by the China eSIM. If you’re staying there a day or more, add the Hong Kong eSIM, with plans from $6.90. You can keep both installed on the same phone and use whichever one you need.
How do I install the eSIM?
- Buy your plan and the QR code lands in your inbox within minutes.
- On wifi, scan it from your phone’s settings: the eSIM is installed and doesn’t use any days or data.
- When you land in China, turn on data roaming for the Gigapanda line and get to work.
Do it at home, before the trip. Airport wifi in China is Chinese internet too, and if your QR code is sitting in Gmail you may not be able to open it.
Ready for the fair? 🐼 Badge registered, WeChat installed and eSIM ready before you board. All that’s left is working out how many containers you’re shipping home. And if China is just one stop, the Gigapanda store has plans for your next destination.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Canton Fair 2026?
The autumn session, the 140th, takes place in Guangzhou in three phases: October 15 to 19, October 23 to 27 and October 31 to November 4, 2026. There are three days with no fair between phases.
Does WhatsApp work in China with an eSIM?
Yes, with the Gigapanda China eSIM. You use the local network, but your connection goes out to the internet through Hong Kong, so WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and Instagram work with no VPN. On hotel wifi or a Chinese SIM card they usually won’t open.
How much is an eSIM for China?
Unlimited plans go from $9.90 for 3 days to $59.90 for 30 days, with 3 GB a day at full speed. There are also data packs: 3 GB for $6.90, 10 GB for $13.90, 20 GB for $19.90, 30 GB for $26.90 and 50 GB for $34.90, all valid for 30 days.
Does the China eSIM work in Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong is separate: if you’re passing through, add the Hong Kong eSIM, with plans from $6.90. You can keep both installed on the same phone.
How do I register for the Canton Fair?
Through the free pre-registration on the fair’s official website. Badges are collected free of charge at points such as Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal and some hotels in the city.
