CitiesOct 17, 20267 min read

Canton Fair + Yiwu Fair: One Trip, Two Sourcing Stops (Oct 2026)

If you are already flying to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair, there is a second sourcing fair sitting almost exactly in the gap between phases — and most first-time buyers miss it.

The 32nd China Yiwu International Commodities Fair runs October 21–24, 2026, in Yiwu, Zhejiang. It lands inside the Canton Fair's first changeover gap (October 20–22) and overlaps the start of Phase 2 (October 23–27). That means a buyer attending Canton Fair Phase 1 can add Yiwu without adding a second international flight — and a buyer coming for Phase 2 can start in Yiwu and finish in Guangzhou.

This guide covers who the combo fits, the two itineraries that actually work, and how to get between Guangzhou and Yiwu.

Why the dates line up

Canton Fair, 140th session: Phase 1 October 15–19, Phase 2 October 23–27, Phase 3 October 31–November 4, 2026. Changeover gaps: October 20–22 and October 28–30. Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou. Halls open 9:30–18:00.
Yiwu Fair, 32nd edition: October 21–24, 2026. Venue: Yiwu International Expo Center, Yiwu, Zhejiang. Around 3,000 exhibitors across 4,500 booths and 110,000 square meters, with roughly 180,000 professional buyer visits expected.

The overlap is the point. October 20–22 would otherwise be dead days in Guangzhou — the Canton halls are closed and the exhibitors are changing over. Yiwu turns those dead days into sourcing days.

Who the combo fits — and who should skip it

It fits you if:

You buy small commodities: daily consumer goods, household goods, hardware tools, architectural hardware, small electronic appliances, toys, sports and outdoor goods, stationery and cultural/office supplies, or trade services. These are the Yiwu Fair's core sectors, and several overlap with Canton Fair Phase 1 (hardware, tools, small electronics) and Phase 3 (toys).
You are deciding between suppliers and want a second comparison point before committing. Yiwu's exhibitors skew toward smaller manufacturers and export-ready general merchandise — a different supplier pool from the Canton halls.
You have at least 2 spare days and a flexible return flight.

Skip it if:

Your category is furniture, building materials, ceramics, or sanitary products. That is Canton Fair Phase 2 territory, and Yiwu does not cover it — stay in Guangzhou and use the gap days for factory visits in Foshan instead.
You are on a tight entry window. A two-city trip eats days fast. Make sure your entry route covers both cities and your full stay before you add a second stop (see the visa note below).
You only need one phase and your supplier shortlist is already settled. A second fair adds travel fatigue, not value.

Getting between Guangzhou and Yiwu

Yiwu is in Zhejiang province, roughly 1,100 km northeast of Guangzhou. Two practical options:

Fly — fastest. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Yiwu (YIW) takes about 2 hours, with around 6 flights a day. Fares typically run ¥600–1,200. Door to door, allow about half a day including airport time. This is the right choice if you are using October 20 as your travel day and want a full day in Yiwu on October 21.
High-speed train — one direct afternoon departure. Train G1302 leaves Guangzhou South at 13:19 and arrives in Yiwu at 20:12, a 6-hour-52-minute ride. Second-class fares are roughly ¥675–775 — check current prices and availability on 12306 before you commit, as schedules and fares change. For the return, G1403 leaves Yiwu at 08:33 and reaches Guangzhou at 15:30. The train makes sense if you prefer city-center-to-city-center travel and can work on board.
Overnight sleeper — budget option. Conventional overnight trains take 14–16 hours with sleeper berths. Cheapest, but it costs you a night and a morning.

Book transport as soon as you decide. The October 20–21 Guangzhou→Yiwu leg is a known buyer corridor during fair season, and the convenient flights and the direct train sell out.

Itinerary A: Canton Phase 1 + Yiwu (the classic combo)

Best for: electronics, hardware, tools, and small-commodity buyers.

October 15–19: Canton Fair Phase 1 in Guangzhou. Shortlist suppliers, collect samples and quotes.
October 20: Travel day. Fly or take the afternoon G1302 train to Yiwu. Evening: settle in, review your Canton notes, and mark the Yiwu booths that overlap your categories.
October 21–22: Yiwu Fair, two full days. Compare Yiwu suppliers against your Canton shortlist on price, minimum order quantity, and lead time — the same three questions that matter in Guangzhou.
October 23: Either return to Guangzhou for Canton Fair Phase 2 (if your categories span both phases) or fly home from Yiwu.

If you return for Phase 2, take the morning G1403 train or an early flight on October 23 — you can be back in the Canton halls the same afternoon.

Itinerary B: Yiwu first, then Canton Phase 2

Best for: buyers whose main target is Phase 2 (housewares, gifts, furniture, building materials) but who also source small commodities.

October 21–22: Yiwu Fair. This means entering China via eastern China first — fly into Shanghai or Hangzhou, then reach Yiwu — rather than starting in Guangzhou.
October 23–27: Canton Fair Phase 2 in Guangzhou. Travel Yiwu→Guangzhou on October 22 evening or October 23 morning.
Note: this itinerary only works if your international flights are routed through eastern China on arrival and out of Guangzhou (or Hong Kong) on departure. Do not fly into Guangzhou first and backtrack to Yiwu — that wastes a day.

Visa note: count your days before adding a second city

A buyer badge is not a visa, and your entry route must cover both cities and your whole stay:

Visa-free (up to 30 days): ordinary passport holders from around 50 countries — including the UK, Canada, most EU countries, Australia, Japan, and South Korea — can enter for business without a visa until December 31, 2026. This is the simplest route for a two-city trip.
M business visa: if your country is not on the list (US citizens, for example), apply for an M visa. The Canton Fair invitation letter supports your application.
240-hour visa-free transit: this is a tight fit for a two-stop trip. The clock covers a fixed window from entry, and a Phase 1 + Yiwu + exit itinerary can run past it if your dates slip. If you are relying on transit, count your own dates carefully — and if in doubt, enter on a visa or visa-free entry rather than transit.

See our visas and entry guide for the full breakdown before booking.

Practical tips for the Yiwu leg

Check visitor registration before you go. Confirm on the organizer's channels whether the Yiwu Fair needs advance visitor registration or an entry pass — do not assume you can walk in with just your Canton Fair badge.
Bring your Canton notes. The combo only pays off if you compare like with like: same product, same specs, same order quantity. Carry your Phase 1 quotes and supplier cards.
Pack light for the transfer. You will be moving cities mid-trip with samples in tow. A carry-on plus one checked bag beats two suitcases on a train or a short flight.
Stay connected. Get an eSIM before departure — fair Wi-Fi is patchy — and arrange any VPN you need before you fly.
If you have a spare half-day in Yiwu: the Yiwu International Trade City wholesale market is the city's permanent sourcing base and sits behind much of what the fair showcases. Worth a walk-through if your schedule allows, but the fair itself comes first.

FAQ

Can I do Canton Fair Phase 1 and the Yiwu Fair in one trip?

Yes. Attend Canton Phase 1 (October 15–19), travel on October 20, and spend October 21–22 at the Yiwu Fair (October 21–24). Fly or take the direct afternoon high-speed train between the two cities. Return to Guangzhou on October 23 if you also want Phase 2.

How long does Guangzhou to Yiwu take?

About 2 hours by air (Baiyun to Yiwu Airport, around 6 flights a day, typically ¥600–1,200), or 6 hours 52 minutes on the direct G1302 high-speed train (Guangzhou South 13:19 → Yiwu 20:12). Allow half a day door to door either way.

Is the Yiwu Fair worth it if I already attend the Canton Fair?

For small-commodity buyers — daily goods, hardware, toys, stationery, small appliances — yes: Yiwu offers a different supplier pool and turns the Canton changeover gap into sourcing days. For furniture and building-material buyers, no: that is Canton Phase 2 territory, and Yiwu does not cover it.

Do I need a separate visa for Yiwu?

No — one Chinese entry route covers both cities, since both are in mainland China. What matters is that your visa, visa-free entry, or transit window covers your full stay across both stops. Count your dates before adding the second city, and see our visas guide for the options.