Inside the Canton Fair 2025: A Designer’s Journey Through China’s Concrete Jungle

There’s something incredibly humbling about standing in the middle of a place like Guangzhou — a city that truly never stops moving. This year, I had the chance to attend the Canton Fair 2025, and what an experience it was. China is bold, beautiful, and unapologetically proud of its culture — and rightly so.

From the moment you land, you can feel that deep sense of heritage and progress living side by side.

Getting There

Our trip came together last minute, but thankfully, for now, Australian and New Zealand passport holders can enter China visa-free until December 31, 2025. (Always check before you travel, as these arrangements can change.)

I flew into China with Thai Airways and returned with Singapore Airlines. Both were great, but Singapore Airlines definitely had the edge — the planes were cleaner, the service smoother, and the overall experience more comfortable.

If you have a long layover at Changi Airport, I highly recommend paying to use one of the airport lounges. Having a shower and a rest in between flights makes a huge difference before arriving in China. Take your shower jandals, a small towel, and a travel toiletry bag — it’s a lifesaver.

Before you go, download WeChat and WhatsApp — WeChat is used for just about everything in China: paying for meals, rideshares, ordering food, and messaging, while WhatsApp is great for staying in touch with international contacts and suppliers. You can still use cash if you need to, but WeChat really simplifies things.

China also requires passport identification almost everywhere — from hotels to event entry and even some stores — so keep your passport handy at all times.

Another must-have is a VPN app (download before you arrive). This lets you access your regular email (like Gmail) and stay connected while you’re there.

For communication, translator apps are incredibly handy. Many people don’t speak English, but locals are used to using these apps, especially at big international events like the Canton Fair. You can speak or type into the app, and they’ll respond the same way. It’s actually fun once you get into it!

A few simple Mandarin words go a long way — “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “xiè xiè” (thank you) are always appreciated. I like to try greetings and thank-you phrases out of respect when visiting a new country — it’s a nice gesture and always received with a smile.

China is amazing — the infrastructure alone is insane. The buildings are sky-high, literally, and the motorways stretch for miles. It’s such a powerful example of modern engineering and development on a huge scale.

Canton Fair Registration Entry

Where to Stay

Getting the right hotel is everything. The Canton Fair is an endurance event — you need a place to rest, bathe, and enjoy a good meal at the end of the day.

Before booking, read the reviews carefully — not every hotel looks like the photos online. We actually had to move hotels after arriving, and were so lucky to find the Crowne Plaza Window of Canton. It was incredible.

We had lounge access, which was perfect for quick business meetings or debriefing after long days walking the fair. The buffet breakfasts and dinners were amazing — and the hotel itself became a hub for visitors from all over the world attending the fair. It was a great place to network with people in the industry, share experiences, and meet others doing the same thing.

One of the coolest surprises was how tech-driven the hotel was — they even had robot cleaners and delivery robots. Although I wasn’t a big fan at first (it honestly felt like they were chasing me down the hallway!), my client couldn’t stop laughing. Seeing one come out of the lift on its own was both freaky and impressive at the same time — such a futuristic touch that really sums up China’s innovation. One night we ordered takeaway and it arrived at our door, delivered by a robot! It’s those little futuristic touches that make staying in China such an experience.

If you can, book a hotel that includes a Canton Fair shuttle bus. It’s much easier and far more cost-effective than relying on cabs each day. A gym, sauna, or pool also goes a long way after a 20,000-step day.

A quick tip: finding your bus can be confusing the first time. When they give you your bus number, don’t look up — look down. The numbers are painted in big yellow letters on the ground to mark where each bus parks. I spent ages looking at the signs before realising this!

Most hotels also have daily bus schedules posted in the lobby with pickup and return times, so check them each morning before heading out.

The Crowne Plaza Window of Canton

The Canton Fair Experience

The Canton Fair 2025 is the largest trade fair in the world, split into three phases covering everything from building materials and furniture to fashion, electronics, and homewares. While the website lists long event dates, each phase only runs for a few days, with short breaks in between for exhibitors to reset.

We arrived hoping to catch the end of the electronics section — but learned the hard way that it had already closed! So, double-check your phase dates before booking flights.

Inside, the scale is beyond belief. One day I walked over 20,000 steps — and that was just one hall! The fair is buzzing with energy and can feel overwhelming at first. Download the Canton Fair app in advance — it includes maps, exhibitor lists, and lets you favourite booths to plan your route. When entering the halls, you’ll need your passport and registration QR code, and be prepared to wait — lines can move slowly as security and ID are checked.

You also don’t have to walk the entire way — we later discovered there are small carts and shuttles that can take you from building to building. They’re a lifesaver when your feet have had enough. Just ask the help desks inside where these carts are located — they’ll point you in the right direction and save you a lot of time (and steps!).

When it comes to lunch, there are plenty of options. You’ll find both Western food stalls and local Cantonese eateries scattered throughout the halls. The Cantonese food was a highlight — flavourful, fast, and far more affordable than the Western options. Just be ready for a bit of a crowd — finding a seat can be tricky, and the most popular dishes often sell out fast. Still, it’s all part of the experience, and sampling local favourites adds a fun and authentic touch to your day at the Fair.

Another practical tip — bring a small suitcase or carry-on to collect and store all your brochures, samples, and catalogues. It makes a huge difference when you’re walking all day and don’t want to carry heavy bags. Next year, I’ll definitely be stepping up my game — everyone had those clever ride-on suitcases, and after seeing them in action, I can confirm they’re worth it.

Another quick tip: when you meet manufacturers, take a photo of you and them and message them straight away on WeChat or WhatsApp. They meet thousands of people daily, so this helps them remember who you are when you follow up later. Many continue working for weeks after the fair, so expect replies to come through gradually.

Walk to Canton Fair

Why We Went

Our reason for attending was a very special one. I travelled to China with a client from Samoa who is building a luxury villa — a beautiful, airy retreat designed around minimalist tropical living.

We had already completed the consultation, plan design, and mood boards back home, so this trip was all about bringing the vision to life — sourcing furniture, fittings, and finishes that would match the calm, coastal aesthetic of the villa.

As part of my design package, I created a custom lookbook and design magazine for her — something personal that captured the story of her home, from layout and style inspiration to curated product selections. It’s one of my favourite parts of what I offer clients — turning their dream into something they can see, feel, and eventually live in.

At the Fair, we explored indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, bathroom fixtures, windows and doors, and decor accents. We compared finishes, materials, and production quality across hundreds of manufacturers, taking time to build real relationships with suppliers who understood the minimalist island feel we were after — clean lines, natural textures, and modern comfort blended with Pacific warmth.

The craftsmanship and innovation we found were incredible. From custom timber designs to outdoor lounges, sleek window frames, and subtle lighting concepts, we discovered so many ideas that will bring this villa project to life.

The engineering, design, and manufacturing standards in China are incredibly advanced. You can see the pride and precision in everything they do — it gives you real confidence in the products and the people behind them.

Furniture on display

Reflections

Beyond the fair, China itself left a huge impression. It’s a concrete jungle with heart — ancient culture woven into modern life. The people are proud, efficient, and deeply respectful of their traditions. As someone from a culture that values heritage and identity, I found that incredibly inspiring.

If you’re a designer, business owner, or creative thinker, Canton Fair 2025 is worth the trip. Go in with a plan, comfortable shoes, an open mind, and a full phone battery — you’ll need all three!

Next stop: sourcing, sampling, and shipping everything home to bring the villa vision to life.Stay tuned for updates as we start turning these finds into reality.

If you’re thinking about visiting Canton Fair 2026 or planning your own sourcing trip, reach out — I can help you plan your Canton experience, connect with trusted suppliers, or even assist with a full build or furniture sourcing project.

Tri Design Studios will be here to help you prepare, plan, and bring your ideas to life — from concept to completion. Contact me via Tri Design Studios

Ngā mihi,

Cecelia

@tridesignsstudio www.tridesignsstudio.com