As the 139th Canton Fair kicks off, a surprising trend is taking off on social media. Forget traditional luxury hotels—international business travelers are now flocking to 24-hour spas in Guangdong.
Data shows that during previous fairs, foreign guests made up a staggering 80% of visitors between 4 PM and 1 AM the next day. With the 2026 season looking even busier, these all-inclusive urban sanctuaries have become the hottest tickets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Why the hype? It's a total life hack. According to Meituan, China's on-demand delivery platform, hotels near the Canton Fair complex have recently been priced between USD 110 and USD 280 per night, with some suites hitting nearly USD 830. Meanwhile, for about USD 140 (about CNY 1,000), a premium spa gives you 24 hours of:
· The "all-inclusive" experience: For a single entry fee, you get 24 hours of access to premium bathing facilities, saunas, and even cinema rooms.
· Foodie heaven: Many high-end spas offer 24-hour buffets featuring everything from fresh oysters and sashimi to local Cantonese dim sum and exotic seasonal fruits.
· Business meets bliss: Need to answer emails between sessions? Most venues provide high-speed WiFi, quiet lounges, and even private meeting pods.
Besides the 24-hour spas, small massage shops are also seeing a massive surge in foreign visitors during the Canton Fair. Ten days before the fair started, Master Gao from the Sanjiaotang Massage Center (三交堂按摩馆) received a WeChat message from Nilesh, a merchant from Dubai, confirming his arrival dates in Guangzhou. Master Gao noted that Nilesh has been a loyal client for six years. "He visits us every year for a massage during the fair," Gao said. "He even brings me a bottle of men's cologne as a gift every time he returns."
With an even larger turnout expected this year, massage shops are already busy preparing for the rush. To ensure a smooth experience, many therapists are advising their regular clients to schedule appointments before 4:00 PM.
Master Gao has noticed two recent trends: an increasing number of guests are coming from the Middle East and Russia. Also, foreigners are starting to embrace Chinese therapies like foot massage (足疗), scraping therapy (刮痧), moxibustion (艾灸) and cupping therapy (拔罐). He even met an Australian geologist who asked for cupping as soon as he walked in, because he felt his body was too "damp."
"This is proof that traditional Chinese wellness culture is truly reaching the world," Master Gao said. "It motivates us to provide even better service and to share with our international friends the health wisdom embedded in Chinese massage."
Author: Dong Han
Video Editor: Dong Han
