Canton Fair 2026 - Technology & Industry Tour to Guangzhou

Experience China's largest trade fair up close - combined with insights into Innovation, technology and culinary delights.
The Canton Fair Technology & Industry Tour 2026 takes you to Guangzhou, the economic heart of southern China, where progress, craftsmanship and pleasure meet.

These 7-day exclusive tour connects Business, technology and culture. As part of the Canton Fair 2026, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Chinese innovation and discover the culinary highlights of the region at the same time. Experience Cantonese cuisine, enjoy impressive city highlights in Guangzhou - from the Pearl River Cruise to the Canton Tower and Shunde Gourmet City - and make valuable contacts at business meetings and factory visits. 

For SME owners, people interested in technology and industry, investors, food professionals and gourmets who want to experience China from a new perspective.

Number of participants
◆ At least 5 people required for realisation
◆ Maximum of 10 participants for an optimal experience

April
◆ Phase 1: Tue 14 - Mon 20 April 2026
◆ Phase 2: Tue 22 - Mon 28 April 2026

october
◆ Phase 1: Sat 17 - Fri 23 October 2026*
◆ Phase 2: Sat 24 - Fri 30 October 2026*

* The autumn dates may be delayed by another 1-2 days

The 3 phases of the Canton Fair 2026 and their focal points

Phase 1:
Trade fair dates 
15 to 19 April 2026 
15 to 19 October 2026

Exhibitor list without guarantee
◆ Electronics & household electrical appliances
- Kitchen appliances (rice cooker, blender, kettle, steamer)
- Household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, hoovers)
- Smart home devices, lighting, ventilation systems

◆ Consumer electronics & information products
- Computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, printers
- Mobile phones, communication and network technology
- Audio/video devices, smart TV, VR/AR technologies

◆ Machines, industrial devices & automation
- CNC machines, robotics, production and manufacturing lines
- Packaging, printing and plastics machinery
- Machine tools, industrial technology, spare parts

◆ Vehicles, spare parts & smart mobility
- New Energy Vehicles (NEV): electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles
- Motorbikes, e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters
- Spare parts: Engines, tyres, body parts, electronics
- Charging & battery systems, vehicle software, smart mobility

◆ Agricultural & construction machinery / Agro-technology
- Tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems
- Forestry and garden machinery
- Construction machinery, concrete and road construction equipment

◆ New materials, chemical products, energy & resource technologies
- Plastics, composite and insulation materials
- Photovoltaics, battery/rechargeable battery technologies, energy storage
- Environmental technology, recycling, water treatment

Phase 2: 
Trade fair dates: 
23 to 27 April 2026 
23 to 27 October 2026

Exhibitor list without guarantee
◆ Household goods & consumer goods:  Kitchen and tableware, porcelain, glass, stainless steel, cleaning and everyday products
◆ Gifts & decoration: Handicrafts, souvenirs, seasonal items, glass, ceramic, metal and wooden decorations
◆ Furniture, interior design & lighting: Home, office, outdoor and hotel furnishings, lamps, luminaires, smart lighting
◆ Building & decoration materials / garden & outdoor products: Floor and wall coverings, sanitary ware, ceramics, doors & windows, garden furniture, outdoor textiles, leisure products
◆ Lifestyle & premium products: Watches, jewellery, design accessories, living and lifestyle concepts

Phase 3: 
Trade fair dates 
1 to 5 May 2026
31 October to 4 November 2026

Exhibitor list without guarantee
◆ Textiles & clothing: Women's, men's, children's and sportswear, fashion accessories, shoes, bags, leather goods
◆ Home textiles & fabrics: Bed linen, curtains, carpets, upholstery fabrics, fabrics, yarns, textile technology
◆ Office & school supplies, leisure articles: Stationery, suitcases, bags, travel articles, leisure, camping & sports articles
◆ Health & wellness products / medical devices: Fitness and rehabilitation equipment, medical equipment, care products, cosmetic products
◆ Food & specialities: Tea, coffee, spices, dried fruit, snacks, delicatessen, traditional Chinese specialities, health food
◆ Toys, baby & children's products, premium gifts: Educational & creative toys, children's vehicles, plush and wooden toys, gift and premium sets for retail & lifestyle

◆ Return flight: direct flight Hong Kong International Airport → Zurich with Swiss (from Tuesday)
◆ It is recommended to arrive on Saturday or Sunday so that you can adjust a little in advance.

Flight recommendation
The international flight is booked independently by the participant. According to SWISS, the direct flights from Zurich to Hong Kong International Airport fly several days a week. However, participants are free to book a different flight themselves.

◆ Additional hotel nights can be booked via the China Foods Alliance.
CFA will be happy to help you plan further stops (e.g. Shenzhen, Macao, Hong Kong).

Further phase Canton Fair
A 7-day trip usually allows the group to experience a complete phase of the Canton Fair. If the aim is to visit two different phases separated by three days, it is advisable to extend the trip to 10 days. The middle three days can then be used for factory visits and excursions to nearby cities (e.g. Dongguan, Foshan, Shunde, Shenzhen).

◆ German-speaking CFA accompaniment + English-speaking local guides

Supporting programme
◆ Culinary supporting programme (Yue Cuisine, visits to places of interest)
City and cultural tours in Guangzhou (including Pearl River, museums, Baiyun Mountain)
◆ Short trip to Huizhou or Zhongshan (light factory or industrial park)
(The detailed programme will be announced after final registration; subject to change)

The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) takes place twice a year - the spring fair (April-May) and the autumn fair (October-November). During the fair, hotel rooms, transport and visitor passes are extremely limited and in high demand. It is therefore essential that the travel plan and list of participants be confirmed at least 5 months in advance, to ensure smooth organisation, hotel bookings and access arrangements.

The participants are prepared for the trip by the China Foods Alliance over the course of the year.
These include
◆ Information about the trade fair and the locations visited
◆ Cultural insights into everyday life in China
◆ An online webinar to get to know the group and organisation

Visa
Currently, a visa is not required for travelling to China for up to 30 days, which makes preparations easier.

Guangzhou (广州), formerly known internationally as Canton, is located in the south of China, in the heart of the economically important Greater Bay Area. This region comprises the metropolises of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao and is one of the most dynamic economic areas in the world with over 80 million inhabitants. The city is located on the lower reaches of the Pearl River (珠江), around 120 kilometres north of Hong Kong, and has been one of Asia's most important trading centres for centuries.

Guangzhou - city of international trade
Guangzhou looks back on over 2,000 years of history. As one of the oldest harbours in China, the city already played a central role in maritime trade during the Tang Dynasty (7th-9th century) and was the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. During the colonial period of the 19th century, Guangzhou was one of the first places in China to be opened up to international trade. Today, the city is the economic heart of southern China - a centre for industry, trade, technology and design.

About two hours from Guangzhou are the cities of Huizhou and Zhongshan, both important industrial centres in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. This is where technology meets precision - modern production facilities for lighting technology, smart homes, electronics and sustainability solutions provide an insight into China's innovative strength.

Huizhou is known for its combination of high-tech industry and scenic beauty - a city where factories and research facilities are surrounded by green hills.
Zhongshan, often referred to as the „City of Light“, is regarded as China's centre for the lighting industry, design and LED development.

A visit to these regions shows how quality, innovation and efficiency are realised in Chinese SMEs - and how closely industry, design and environmental awareness are linked today.