1) Why China + Which Fair?
Good to know: Fairs are crowded—book hotels and registration early, and keep a flexible plan to film mornings/evenings when light is best.
2) Visa & Fair Registration (Step-by-Step)
Visa options
- Tourist (L) visa for sightseeing + fair visit as a buyer/visitor.
- Business (M) visa if you’ll have formal trade meetings or contracts.
- Some nationalities may have visa-free entry windows—always verify current rules before booking.
Documents checklist
- Passport valid 6+ months with blank pages
- Completed visa form + photo (per consulate specs)
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Hotel bookings or invitation letter
- Fair registration/Buyer badge confirmation (for Canton Fair or others)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Fair registration (Canton Fair example)
- Create an account on the fair’s official site and register as a buyer.
- Upload passport ID page and business card details (if applicable).
- Receive an e-invitation/QR; collect physical badge at venue or partner hotel with your passport.
Tip: Carry printed copies of your hotel bookings, fair invitation, and return ticket—handy at immigration and badge desks.
3) Flights & Getting In
Primary gateways
- Guangzhou (CAN) for Canton Fair; metro + shuttles serve Pazhou.
- Beijing (PEK/PKX) for CIFTIS + Great Wall/Forbidden City trips.
- Shanghai (PVG/SHA) for Bund skyline, Suzhou gardens, water towns.
- Hong Kong (HKG) with high-speed rail/coach links into mainland cities.
Airport → hotel/fair
- Metro lines are fast and cheap; cards or QR code payments work at gates.
- Hotel shuttles and fair buses run during show days; verify times.
- Taxis/ride-hailing (Didi) for late-night returns after filming.
4) Where to Stay (Budget → Luxury)
| City/Area | Budget | Mid-range | Business/Luxury | Why stay here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou — Haizhu (Pazhou) | Guesthouses, compact hotels | Branded 3-4★ near Line 8 | International chains with shuttles | Walk/1-stop to fair; minimal commute |
| Guangzhou — Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town | Business hostels | City business hotels | Premium 5★ high-rises | Dining, malls, river views; quick metro to Pazhou |
| Beijing — Dongcheng/Xicheng | Hutong inns | Boutique hotels | International chains | Near Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven |
| Shanghai — The Bund / People’s Square | Capsule & budget hotels | Boutique riverside | Iconic luxury on the Bund | Skyline shots; metro hub for day trips |
Book 4–8 weeks early for trade-show weeks. Ask hotels about shuttle timings and badge pickup counters.
5) Getting Around (Metro • Rail • Apps)
- Metro: Efficient in big cities; English signage common. Buy a transit card or use mobile QR pay.
- High-speed rail (HSR): Link Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong, Beijing–Shanghai, etc. Pre-book popular routes.
- Ride-hailing: Didi app works well; select “English” in settings.
- Connectivity: Get a local SIM/eSIM with data for maps/translation.
- Payments: WeChat Pay/Alipay dominate; carry a little cash as backup.
Peak-hour crowds: Travel early for fair mornings; shoot city B-roll at sunrise/sunset for best light and fewer people.
6) Itineraries (4 / 7 / 10 Days)
4-Day Fair Focus (Guangzhou)
- Day 1: Arrive, riverfront walk, Canton Tower night shots.
- Day 2: Fair Phase visit AM–PM; evening: Beijing Road street food.
- Day 3: Fair meetings; late PM: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island.
- Day 4: Wrap fair; quick shopping; fly out.
7-Day Fair + City Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive CAN, check-in near Pazhou; scouting shots.
- Days 2–3: Canton Fair + evening food markets.
- Day 4: Foshan/Kaiping day trip (Lingnan heritage; diaolou towers).
- Day 5: Train to Shenzhen (tech/culture) or Zhuhai/Macau (contrast skyline).
- Day 6: Back to GZ; Pearl River cruise; night market vlog.
- Day 7: Leisure + departure.
10-Day Multi-City (Guangzhou → Shanghai → Beijing)
- Day 1–3 (GZ): Fair + city highlights.
- Day 4–6 (Shanghai): The Bund, Yu Garden, Suzhou gardens or Zhujiajiao water town; skyline timelapse.
- Day 7–9 (Beijing): Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace; Great Wall (Mutianyu/Jinshanling) for epic drone-style views (follow local rules).
- Day 10: Souvenir run + fly out.
7) What to See: China’s Beauty & Classics
Urban Icons
- Guangzhou: Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town, Shamian Island
- Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui skyline, French Concession
- Beijing: Forbidden City, Hutongs, 798 Art District
Nature & Heritage
- Guilin & Yangshuo: Li River karst scenery
- Zhangjiajie: Sandstone pillars (Avatar-like)
- Hangzhou: West Lake shores and teahouses
- Suzhou: Classical gardens, canals
8) Inside the Fair: What Happens & How to Navigate
- Multiple halls by category (electronics, textiles, machinery, home, gifts).
- Buyer registration → badge pickup → security check → hall map scanning.
- Shortlist booths; schedule meets; collect catalogs/samples.
- Evenings: cultural shows, city dinners, networking events.
- Keep a contact sheet; photograph booth signs for memory.
Filming note: Always ask before filming inside booths. Avoid blocking aisles; use a compact setup (mirrorless + small mic + gimbal).
9) Vlog Capture Plan (Shotlist + Story)
- Hook: Airport arrival montage → metro → first glimpse of Pazhou/skyline.
- Day in life: Badge pickup, hall walk-through, key product demos.
- City color: Night market, river cruise, street musicians, neon.
- People: Quick interviews: exhibitor, buyer, local food vendor.
- Scenic interlude: Park or river sunrise timelapse.
- Wrap: Takeaways, costs, tips, “what I’d do differently.”
- Gear: 24–70mm + wide prime, mini tripod, clip-on mic, ND filter.
- Audio: Record ambient markets; add soft Chinese instrumentals.
- Graphics: Lower-thirds for locations; map animations for moves.
10) Costs & Daily Budgets (Per Person)
| Category | Budget | Comfort | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay (per night) | $30–60 | $70–140 | $180+ |
| Food | $10–20 | $25–45 | $60+ |
| City Transport | $3–8 | $8–20 | $20–40 |
| Fair/Events (avg) | $0–20 | $20–50 | $50+ |
| Misc/Shopping | $10–30 | $40–100 | $150+ |
| Approx. Total/Day | $55–120 | $140–355 | $460+ |
Save more: Use metro, eat at food courts/local canteens, book hotels with breakfast, and batch fair meetings to reduce extra trips.
11) Packing Checklist
Essentials
- Passport, visas, fair badge/QR, insurance
- Credit/debit cards + small cash; mobile pay set-up
- Local SIM/eSIM, power bank, fast charger, adapters
- Comfy walking shoes; breathable outfits; light jacket
Creator Kit
- Mirrorless/phone with gimbal; ND filter
- On-camera mic + lav; spare batteries; SD cards
- Foldable mini-tripod; lens wipes
- Consent cards (bilingual) for interviews if needed
12) FAQs
Is English widely spoken?At fairs and hotels, basic English is common; elsewhere use translation apps. Learn simple Mandarin phrases for taxis/food.
Can I use drones?Rules vary by city/event. Many venues restrict drones; check local laws and obtain permits where required.
What about internet and apps?Use a local SIM/eSIM with data. For maps/translation/ride-hailing, keep multiple apps. Download offline maps in case of coverage gaps.