The Cantonin messut takes place in Guangzhou, known in Finnish as Kanton, in southern China. Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province and one of the most densely populated regions in the country.
Flights and connections
I recommend booking flights via Shanghai or Hong Kong. In autumn 2024 there were no direct flights, and as far as I know, the situation remains the same for spring 2025. I flew via Shanghai, including an airport change from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), and vice versa on the return. I compared flight options using Skyscanner.
On the outbound journey, my layover was about 12 hours. I deliberately allowed plenty of transfer time to avoid stress when covering the 58 km distance between airports. In hindsight, this was unnecessary – everything was surprisingly easy, and I had ample time to explore the city. There are several transfer options including buses, metro, and the Maglev train. Since December 2024, a direct airport link has also started operating and is likely the best option today, although it was not yet available during my trip. The ChinaAirlineTravel website provides an excellent overview of all alternatives.
I wanted to test different options myself. For the first transfer, I took an airport bus from Pudong to Hongqiao, stored my suitcase at the airport, and continued by metro to the Yu Garden area. I liked it so much that on my return journey I stayed nearby, had dinner in the area, and bought souvenirs at the bazaar. For my final transfer to the airport, I used the metro and the Maglev train. All options were easy, took roughly the same amount of time, and cost about the same – the choice really comes down to personal preference.
By the way, Yu Garden Bazaar is absolutely magical in the evening lights – beautiful, historic, traditional Chinese architecture. Even though the area is lively, it never feels overcrowded. A perfect stopover – highly recommended.
Accomodation in Guangzhou
Accommodation near the fairgrounds ranges from approximately 120 EUR to 500 EUR per night, including hotels and serviced apartments. Not all properties accept international guests, so this is something to keep in mind when booking. I found Agoda to be a very useful tool for searching accommodation.
I chose a more budget-friendly serviced apartment in Pazhou Poly World Center, about a 10-minute walk from the fairgrounds. The reception and lobby areas were fairly basic, but the room itself was perfectly fine. The only minor challenge was arrival. I landed from Shanghai late in the evening, around 11 pm, and the complex consists of several massive buildings. The taxi driver was unfamiliar with the location and almost dropped me off at the wrong building in the dark. After checking with reception, we found the correct entrance – not as straightforward as with large international hotels. That said, this is typical budget travel – everything you need, close to the fair.
Despite that, it was an excellent choice. I wanted to minimize time spent figuring out transport to and from the fair, and this location worked perfectly. On my upcoming spring trip, I plan to stay somewhere along the metro lines, which became very familiar during my last visit. I will share more insights once I have more experience.
If convenience is your top priority and your accommodation budget is flexible, the best option is The Westin Pazhou, part of the Marriott group. It offers direct access to Exhibition Area C via a pedestrian skybridge – and comes with the highest price tag. The skybridge, however, is also accessible to non-hotel guests. My accommodation was just two blocks away, and I used the bridge regularly to enter the fairgrounds with ease.
EDIT Autumn 2025: This time, I booked my accommodation via Booking.com and chose Yibo Hotel Pazhou Convention and Exhibition Center Canton Town Branch, which was advertised as being within walking distance of the fairgrounds.
In reality, the walk took about 20 minutes at a brisk pace – which is far from appealing in +30°C heat. The hotel offered only two morning shuttle transfers to the fair (at 8:30 and 9:00) and a single return transfer at 18:00. As a result, I ended up using taxis almost exclusively for getting around.
The room rate was approximately 145 EUR per night for a seven-night stay. Unfortunately, the hotel did not deliver good value for money. The first room was extremely small due to a large load-bearing beam running through the middle of the space. The second room had a noticeable moldy smell.
For these reasons, I cannot recommend this hotel.
This was a clear reminder that proximity alone is not enough – comfort, condition, and reliable transport options matter just as much, especially during an intense trade fair week.
Vastaa