The 140th Canton Fair: A Complete Guide to Payment and Communications for Overseas Buyers

The 140th China Import and Export Fair (2026 Guangzhou Autumn Canton Fair) will be grandly held at the Guangzhou Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center from October 15 to November 4, 2026, gathering over 300,000 overseas buyers and exhibitors from more than 220 countries and regions around the world. For first-time overseas visitors attending the fair in China, "unable to make payments" and "no internet access" are the two most common practical challenges right after landing. Mobile payment has an extremely high penetration rate in China, while cash usage scenarios are becoming increasingly rare. Without familiarity with the operations, you may even struggle to buy a bottle of water. Without local internet, you cannot check routes, contact partners, or even complete rides and payments, which will directly undermine the efficiency of your entire Canton Fair trip.

As a professional China Medical Concierge Service provider, DOVECURE not only offers services including business pickup and drop-off, hotel booking agency, and bilingual medical accompaniment, but also prepares thoughtful arrival support for Canton Fair visitors. ‌All customers who book our airport pickup/drop-off or business vehicle services will receive a free pre-activated local SIM card‌, which allows you to connect to the internet immediately after inserting it into your phone upon landing, solving all kinds of communication and payment issues throughout your stay. This article will walk you through the detailed procedures to activate and use mobile payment in China, as well as a comparison of different communication solutions, to help you fully prepare before your trip.

I. Full Breakdown of Payment Methods in China: What Is the Most Convenient Way for Overseas Visitors to Pay?

China is one of the countries with the highest mobile payment penetration rate worldwide. Scanning QR codes for payment is supported almost everywhere, from street-side convenience stores, restaurants and taxis, to metro, buses, exhibition hall catering, and even small stalls at local wet markets. For overseas visitors, as long as you bind your international credit card in advance, you can easily use mobile payment without carrying large amounts of cash throughout your trip.

1. Step-by-Step Guide to Binding International Cards to Alipay

Alipay is one of the most mainstream mobile payment platforms in China, which now fully supports overseas users to bind international credit cards for use, with a very simple operation process:

● Supported Card Types‌: Major international credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and Discover are all supported, and some UnionPay cards are also compatible.

● Operation Steps‌:

1.Download the "Alipay" APP from your mobile app store, select your country/region, and register an account with your mobile phone number.

2.Go to the "Me - Bank Cards" page, click "Add Bank Card", enter the international credit card number, cardholder name, expiry date, CVV and other required information.

3.Complete identity verification as prompted (some cards require receiving an SMS verification code or redirecting to the issuing bank's verification page). Once verified, the binding is completed successfully.

● Usage Limits‌: Currently, for overseas users with bound international cards, the per-transaction limit is approximately 2,000 RMB, and the monthly cumulative limit is around 50,000 RMB. This can fully cover your daily expenses, dining and transportation needs during the Canton Fair. If you need to make large payments, you can bind multiple cards or use bank card swiping as an alternative.

● Coverage Scenarios‌: Almost all online and offline merchants support Alipay QR code payment, including taxis, ride-hailing services, metro and buses, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls, and catering convenience stores inside the exhibition hall, making it extremely widely applicable.

2. Guide to Binding International Cards to WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay is another mainstream payment tool, integrated into the daily social APP WeChat, which is equally convenient to use:

● Supported Card Types‌: International credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and JCB are all supported.

● Operation Steps‌:

1.Download the "WeChat" APP and register a WeChat account.

2.Go to "Me - Services - Wallet - Bank Cards", click "Add Bank Card".

3.Enter your international credit card information, complete identity verification, and the binding is done.

● Usage Limits & Scenarios‌: The limits are roughly the same as Alipay, and the coverage scenarios are also largely consistent. Most merchants that accept Alipay also support WeChat Pay, so you can choose according to your personal usage habits.

3. Supplementary Information on Other Payment Methods

● Cash Payment‌: Although mobile payment is highly popular, it is still recommended to prepare a small amount of RMB cash for emergencies. For example, some small restaurants, street stalls and traditional markets in old town areas may only accept cash. It is suggested to exchange 500 to 1,000 RMB in small denominations. There is no need to carry large amounts of cash, which is neither safe nor necessary. You can exchange cash at bank branches or currency exchange counters in Chinese airports, or withdraw cash directly from ATMs that accept overseas bank cards.

● Bank Card Swiping‌: Large shopping malls, 5-star hotels and high-end restaurants generally support swiping international credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. However, small and medium-sized merchants, convenience stores and taxis mostly only accept QR code payment and do not support card swiping.

● Notes‌: When making payments with a bound international card, some issuing banks may charge currency conversion fees or cross-border transaction handling fees. You can consult your issuing bank in advance for the exact rates. If a payment fails, first check if your network is stable and if you have exceeded the transaction limit, then try switching to another payment method.

II. Full Comparison of Communication Methods in China: Which Internet Access Option Is the Best for Canton Fair Visitors?

A stable internet connection is a rigid necessity during the exhibition: checking routes, contacting clients, translation and communication, sending documents, and mobile payment all rely on the internet. Currently, there are three main ways to access the internet in China: local SIM card, international roaming, and portable WiFi. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and visitors can choose according to their travel itinerary and needs.

1. Local SIM Card: Cost-Effective First Choice with Fast Speed and Great Experience

● Purchasing a SIM card from a local Chinese telecom operator is the preferred solution for the vast majority of short-term visitors to China, with outstanding advantages:

● Extremely Cost-Effective‌: Short-term data plans are very affordable. A 7-day plan costs around 30-50 RMB, a 15-day plan 50-80 RMB, and a 30-day plan 60-100 RMB. These plans usually include dozens to hundreds of GB of domestic data, plus hundreds of minutes of domestic calls, costing only a few tenths of the price of international roaming.

● Fast and Stable Network Speed‌: As a first-tier city, Guangzhou has extremely high 5G network coverage. 5G signals are basically available in the exhibition hall, business districts, hotels and metro systems, delivering very high speed that supports smooth video calls and large file transfers.

● Easy to Use‌: Simply insert the card into your phone and it is ready for use, no extra devices required. It also supports hotspot sharing, so multiple people in your group can share one high-data SIM card.

● Operator Options‌: The three major domestic telecom operators are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. All of them have excellent signal coverage and network speed in Guangzhou. China Mobile has the widest signal coverage, while China Unicom offers faster 5G speed, and you can choose based on your actual needs.

● Purchase Channels‌: The three major operators all have service halls inside Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, where you can apply for a SIM card on site with your passport. Chain convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart in urban areas also sell SIM cards. You can also pre-order on some online platforms and pick up the card at the airport.

● The Only Drawback‌: For first-time visitors to China with language barriers, applying on site requires communicating about plan details and completing real-name authentication and activation, which is a relatively complicated process. During peak hours, you may also need to queue at airport service halls, wasting your travel time.

2. International Roaming: The Most Convenient but Highest-Cost Option

Activating international roaming service with your local telecom operator in your home country before departure, so that you can use your original number directly after landing, is the most hassle-free solution, but it also comes with the highest cost:

● Advantages‌: No need to change SIM cards, your number remains unchanged, so contacts in your home country can still reach you. You will automatically connect to the network right after landing without any extra operations.

● Disadvantages‌: It is very expensive. Roaming charges vary greatly among operators in different countries, but generally cost dozens to over 100 RMB per day, with limited data allowance. Exceeding the data limit will lead to even higher charges, making it unsuitable for long-term use. In some areas, the signal may be unstable, and the network speed is not as good as a local SIM card.

● Suitable For‌: Short-term visitors who only stay in China for 1-2 days, are not sensitive to tariffs, and do not want to change their phone number.

3. Portable WiFi: Ideal for Sharing Among Groups Traveling Together

Renting a portable WiFi device that creates a WiFi hotspot once turned on, allowing multiple people to connect at the same time, is also a viable option:

● Advantages‌: It can be shared by multiple people, bringing down the per-person cost. No SIM card change is needed, and all your devices can connect to the hotspot.

● Disadvantages‌: You need to carry the extra device with you and remember to charge it every day, adding extra burden to your luggage. You will also be liable for compensation if the device is lost or damaged. The network speed and signal stability are not as good as a local SIM card inserted directly into your phone.

● Rental Channels‌: You can pre-book online before departure and pick up the device at the airport, or rent it on site at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

● Suitable For‌: Groups of 3 or more people traveling together with large data demands.

4. Free Public WiFi in the Exhibition Hall

The Canton Fair venue provides free public WiFi, which you can log in to by receiving a verification code via mobile phone number. However, due to the huge number of people in the exhibition hall, the network will be very slow during peak hours. It can only support basic message sending and receiving, and is not suitable for large file transfers or video calls, so it can only be used as a backup network.

III. Choose DOVECURE Airport Pickup Service, Get Free Local SIM Card, Connect to Internet Immediately After Landing

Many first-time overseas visitors to China face the awkward situation of "no internet, no way to contact others, no way to find directions" right after getting off the plane. Without a SIM card, they cannot use navigation, call a ride, or contact their partners, and are left stranded at the airport. Targeting this pain point, DOVECURE has specially launched the thoughtful benefit of "Book Airport Pickup Service, Get Free Local SIM Card" to solve your number one problem right after arrival.

1. Service Details: Pre-Activated, Ready to Use Upon Insertion

All customers who book any of DOVECURE's travel services, including business airport pickup and drop-off, full-day chartered vehicle, and exclusive Canton Fair vehicle services, will receive a free Guangzhou local SIM card. We will complete real-name authentication and activation in advance, and pre-charge the data plan matching the duration of your trip. Right after your flight lands, our driver will hand the SIM card to you during pickup. Insert it into your phone, and you can use the full network immediately without any extra operations.

The SIM card plans can be customized according to your itinerary:

● 7-day Short-Term Exhibition Plan: 50GB domestic data + 100 minutes of domestic calls;

● 15-day Two-Phase Exhibition Plan: 100GB domestic data + 200 minutes of domestic calls;

● 30-day Three-Phase Exhibition Plan: 200GB domestic data + 500 minutes of domestic calls;

● All plans support 5G network, hotspot sharing, full coverage across Guangzhou, and stable signal inside the Canton Fair venue.

2. Why Choose Our Free SIM Card Benefit?

● Save Time and Effort‌: You do not need to find a telecom service hall at the airport, queue up for processing, or face language barriers during the application. You can use the network right after getting the card at the airport, saving at least 1 hour of SIM card processing time.

● Cost-Effective Plans‌: The plans we get through bulk cooperation with operators offer higher cost-effectiveness and more data allowance than what you can buy separately on site.

● Full After-Sales Support‌: If you encounter any issues such as insufficient data, call problems or network failures during usage, you can contact your exclusive service advisor at any time, and we will help you resolve the problem immediately.

● Extra SIM Cards Available for Purchase‌: If your family members or colleagues traveling with you also need SIM cards, you can inform us in advance, and we will prepare them for you at a discounted price.

3. Extra Supporting Services: We Can Also Help You with Payment Issues

Apart from the SIM card,DOVECURE also provide assistance related to payment:

● If you encounter operational problems when binding international cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay, our driver or exclusive service advisor can guide you through the process remotely, ensuring that you can use mobile payment smoothly right after landing.

● If you face any payment or communication issues during the Canton Fair, you can always reach out to our service team, and we will answer your questions or help resolve the problem as soon as possible.

● If you need a small amount of cash for emergencies, you can also inform us in advance, and we will prepare the change for you to facilitate your small payments after arrival.

IV. Practical Tips for Payment & Communication During the Canton Fair

1. Payment-Related Notes

● All catering outlets, convenience stores and business centers inside the Canton Fair venue support Alipay and WeChat Pay, so you do not need to worry about payment issues. Restaurants and supermarkets around the exhibition hall also support QR code payment.

● It is recommended to carry a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup, which can be used for large payments such as hotel deposits and business banquets.

●Try not to carry large amounts of cash with you. Although China has very good public security, carrying large amounts of cash is neither convenient nor safe. Mobile payment can meet 99% of your daily consumption needs.

● Some taxi drivers may not support QR code payment with international cards. It is recommended to prioritize using ride-hailing services or prepare small cash in advance.

2. Communication-Related Notes

● Before departure, it is recommended to confirm that your mobile phone supports China's 5G/4G frequency bands. The vast majority of smartphones from mainstream brands are compatible, but you may need to check in advance if you are using an older model.

● If you choose to use a local SIM card, it is recommended to confirm before departure that your phone is not network-locked and can use SIM cards from other operators.

● During the Canton Fair, the exhibition hall has a huge visitor flow, and the mobile network may experience slight delays during peak hours. It is recommended to download important files and documents to your local device in advance to avoid delays caused by slow loading on site.

● Short-term SIM cards will be automatically deactivated after the plan expires, no special cancellation process is required. You can simply discard the card directly, and no extra fees will be incurred.

3. Travel Emergency Tips

● It is recommended to save the bilingual information of the exhibition hall address, hotel address, and the contact number of your partner in your phone, so that you can show it directly to drivers or passers-by when you have no internet access.

● You can download the offline maps of the Guangzhou Metro APP and Amap (or Baidu Maps) in advance, so that you can check routes even without internet.

● Save the contact information of your exclusive DOVECURE service advisor. If you encounter any problems, you can contact us at any time, and we are available 24/7 to provide support.

V. DOVECURE One-Stop Service, Make Your Canton Fair Trip Completely Worry-Free

As a professional medical concierge service provider deeply rooted in Guangzhou, DOVECURE has always been committed to providing overseas visitors to China with all-round, high-quality one-stop services. In addition to free SIM cards and travel pickup services, we can also provide you with:

● Hotel Booking Service‌: Exclusive contracted rates during the Canton Fair, with priority to lock in available rooms, offering better prices than public platforms.

● Bilingual Medical Accompaniment Service‌: If you have sudden health issues during the exhibition, our bilingual medical accompaniment specialist will accompany you throughout the entire medical visit process, ensuring zero communication barriers.

● Interpreter Service‌: Professional business interpreters to help you with exhibition communication and business negotiation without language obstacles.

● Post-Exhibition Medical Tourism Arrangement‌: High cost-effective medical experiences including teeth cleaning, health check-ups and traditional Chinese physiotherapy, paired with local Guangzhou sightseeing itineraries.

The 2026 140th Autumn Canton Fair is approaching. Smooth payment and communication are the fundamental guarantees for an efficient exhibition trip. By choosing DOVECURE's business pickup service, you will not only get a safe and comfortable travel experience, but also get free support to solve your internet access problem right after landing, so that you can fully focus on business docking as soon as you step off the plane. Welcome to contact us in advance to book our services. Wish you a smooth and successful Canton Fair trip.