China Business & Leisure Trip: Shenzhen, Hong Kong & Canton Fair

Day 1: Arrival in Shenzhen (Oct 12)

Morning: Arrive at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Futian district. Settle in and enjoy a quick brunch at a nearby café.

Afternoon: Explore Window of the World, a theme park showcasing miniature replicas of world landmarks, perfect for a relaxed first day.

Evening: Experience Shenzhen’s nightlife at OCT Loft, a trendy art and club district with live DJ sets and craft cocktails.

Day 2: Shenzhen Industrial Hub (Oct 13)

Morning: Visit the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center to see the latest tech exhibits and meet local manufacturers.

Afternoon: Tour the innovative Huawei Headquarters (by appointment) and explore the surrounding tech park.

Evening: Dine at Sea World waterfront and then party at Club Cubic, one of Shenzhen’s most renowned nightclubs.

Day 3: Hong Kong Highlights (Oct 14)

Morning: Take the high‑speed train to Hong Kong and check into a hotel in Central. Stroll through the historic Man Mo Temple.

Afternoon: Ride the iconic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic city views, followed by a visit to the bustling PMQ design hub.

Evening: Experience Hong Kong’s vibrant nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong, hopping between rooftop bars and upscale clubs like Dragon-i.

Day 4: Travel to Guangzhou & Fair Opening (Oct 15)

Morning: Transfer by high‑speed rail to Guangzhou; check into a hotel near the Canton Fair Complex.

Afternoon: Attend the opening ceremony and begin exploring the Canton Fair – Phase 1 (Electronics & IT).

Evening: Relax with dinner at Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, then enjoy a nightcap at Party Pier on the Pearl River.

Day 5: Canton Fair – Phase 1 (Oct 16)

Morning: Network with suppliers at Canton Fair – Phase 1, focusing on consumer electronics.

Afternoon: Attend a keynote on emerging technologies and schedule B2B meetings.

Evening: Sample Cantonese dim sum at Liwan District and explore the nightlife at Club 193.

Day 6: Canton Fair – Phase 2 (Oct 17)

Morning: Explore Canton Fair – Phase 2 (Home Appliances & Gifts), meeting potential product partners.

Afternoon: Join a workshop on import regulations and logistics for the Chinese market.

Evening: Enjoy a river cruise on the Pearl River, followed by drinks at Bar Rouge in Tianhe.

Day 7: Canton Fair – Phase 3 (Oct 18)

Morning: Attend Canton Fair – Phase 3 (Textiles & Garments), focusing on sustainable fabrics.

Afternoon: Conduct follow‑up meetings and collect samples for evaluation.

Evening: Dine at the upscale Guangzhou Restaurant and experience the city's club scene at Club MUSE.

Day 8: Final Fair Day & Departure (Oct 19)

Morning: Wrap up final negotiations at the Canton Fair and gather contact information.

Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Yuexiu Park and take a quick tour of the historic Six Banyan Temple.

Evening: Transfer to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for your flight home, reflecting on a successful trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Window of the World – 3 hrs – $30
• OCT Loft – 4 hrs – $40 (drinks)
• Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center – 5 hrs – $0 (business)
• Huawei Headquarters tour – 2 hrs – $0 (by appointment)
• Club Cubic – 3 hrs – $35
• Man Mo Temple – 1.5 hrs – $5
• Peak Tram & Victoria Peak – 3 hrs – $25
• PMQ – 2 hrs – $0
• Lan Kwai Fong (Dragon-i) – 4 hrs – $50
• Canton Fair – Phase 1 – 8 hrs – $0 (entry)
• Beijing Road Pedestrian Street – 2 hrs – $20 (dinner)
• Party Pier – 2 hrs – $30
• Canton Fair – Phase 2 – 8 hrs – $0
• Liwan District dim sum – 1.5 hrs – $25
• Club 193 – 3 hrs – $40
• Workshop on import regulations – 2 hrs – $0
• Bar Rouge – 3 hrs – $45
• Canton Fair – Phase 3 – 8 hrs – $0
• Guangzhou Restaurant – 2 hrs – $45
• Club MUSE – 3 hrs – $45
• Yuexiu Park – 2 hrs – $10
• Six Banyan Temple – 1.5 hrs – $5
• Total Estimated Cost: $557

Tips

To extend your trip, consider adding a day in Macau for its famous casino nightlife and Portuguese heritage, or a coastal getaway to Zhuhai for relaxed beach time. If you need to shorten the itinerary, you can combine Shenzhen and Hong Kong visits into a single day by focusing on key attractions (OCT Loft and Lan Kwai Fong) and skipping the Huawei headquarters tour, which will still give you a solid business and leisure experience.