A working briefing for anyone planning a trip to China — the business hubs, the trade fairs, the practicalities, the etiquette, and the experiences worth building in. Prepared by Sino Business Partner, so you arrive prepared.
Each city is a different reason to travel. Knowing which one you need is half the trip.
The capital — government & policy, corporate headquarters, state-owned enterprises, and world-class culture.
Finance and international business; flagship exhibitions and the country's most global boardrooms.
China's hardware capital — electronics, manufacturing and the fastest product-to-market ecosystem on earth.
The trade capital of the south and home of the Canton Fair — the gateway for importers and buyers.
The world's largest wholesale market for small commodities — millions of products under one roof, year-round.
E-commerce and the digital economy (Alibaba's home) — and, on the West Lake, one of China's most beautiful cities.
We handle registration, scheduling, interpreters and follow-ups — so a fair becomes a pipeline, not a blur.
China's largest import & export fair, in Guangzhou each spring and autumn — run in three phases by product category.
Not an event but a permanent market — year-round sourcing across virtually every small-commodity category.
Sector shows across Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen — electronics, machinery, textiles, medical and more. We map the right one to your goal.
The things that quietly make or break a China trip. Current for 2026 — but rules move, so we confirm yours before you book.
Depends on your passport. Most EU & UK travelers: 30-day visa-free. US, Canada & Australia: 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, or a multi-entry visa for standard trips. Israeli passports: a China visa, with long-validity multi-entry facilitation available.
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are ideal — mild weather, clear skies. Avoid the Golden Week holidays around the first days of May and October, when everything is packed.
The world's largest high-speed-rail network (40,000+ km, up to 350 km/h) links every hub, alongside world-class airports and city metros. City-to-city in hours, not a day.
China is effectively cashless. Foreign Visa/Mastercard now link to both Alipay and WeChat Pay (quick passport verification). Set up both apps before you fly, and keep some RMB cash for small vendors.
Some Western apps and sites are restricted. Bring an international eSIM/roaming plan or a reputable VPN, and install WeChat before you arrive — on the ground, it's essential for messaging, payments and more.
Mandarin is the language; English signage is common at airports, stations and hotels, and translation apps fill the gaps. China is among the safest destinations for travelers. Emergency: 110 police · 120 medical · 119 fire.
Most of what matters in a China meeting isn't in the agenda. We prepare you for the signals before you're in the room.
The best trips give you something to remember, not just something to report. A few we build in.
The Great Wall at sunrise, the Forbidden City, and a walk through the old hutong lanes.
The Bund skyline at night, Yu Garden, and a cruise on the Huangpu River.
The Terracotta Warriors and a cycle atop the ancient city wall — the start of the Silk Road.
Giant pandas up close, and the food capital of China — Sichuan flavor at its source.
The towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains of "Avatar."
The Li River karst landscape near Guilin, and the serene West Lake at Hangzhou.
You've read the briefing. Now let us design the journey around your goal — meetings, logistics, the banquet and the free morning included.
Plan Your China Trip →