programs
Get to China.
We'll help you get there.
Through our China-based partners, we support visa applications for business travel, study, and live-in tutoring placements — practical, on-the-ground guidance for Australians heading to China.
Navigating China's visa system can be confusing. Through our China-based partners, ExploreChina Pro helps Australians apply for the right visa — whether you're visiting for business, attending a trade fair, studying, or taking up a live-in tutoring placement.
Good news for Australians
You may not need a visa at all
China currently lets Australian passport holders visit without a visa for short trips. Most of our clients heading over for a trade fair or factory visits travel this way. We check your plans and tell you straight whether it covers you.
Visa-free entry
Business, trade fairs, factory visits, tourism and visiting family, for up to 30 days. Currently in place until 31 December 2026. Check with us before you book flights for 2027.
Visa-free transit
Flying through China to a third country? You can stay up to 10 days in set regions, entering through one of 65 approved ports, with an onward ticket.
When you still need one
Staying longer than 30 days, working, studying, or travelling after the visa-free scheme ends. That's where the visa types above come in, and where we help.
Sources (Chinese government): Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-free FAQ · National Immigration Administration, 240-hour transit (Xinhua, Aug 2026). Rules change, so we confirm the latest before you travel.
Travel, sorted
We work with travel agency partners, so the trip is handled end to end
- Flights and hotels booked near the fair or factory area, not across town in traffic.
- High-speed rail tickets between cities. Guangzhou to Foshan, Shanghai to Yiwu, Yiwu to Yongkang.
- Airport pickup and local drivers who know the industrial parks, not just the tourist spots.
- Payments and phone set up before you fly: Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Australian card, plus an eSIM.
- A Mandarin speaker with you in factories and at the fair, then follow-up with suppliers after you fly home.
- Fair passes and invitation letters organised before you leave.
Trips we plan
Built around what you sell, not a tour bus route
Canton Fair + Foshan + Zhongshan
Two or three days at the fair, then furniture and appliance factories in Foshan and lighting makers in Zhongshan's Guzhen.
Yiwu + Yongkang + Ningbo
The Yiwu market for small goods, hardware and cookware makers in Yongkang, then small appliances and camping gear around Ningbo.
Shenzhen + Dongguan
Electronics and accessories in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei, then factories and fashion makers across Dongguan.
China's industry map
Which city makes what. Researched in Chinese, not translated from Google.
Most products in China come from one city or even one town that specialises in it. Knowing where to go is half the job. We built this list from Chinese-language news and government sources that rarely show up in English searches. Each card links to the Chinese source.
Guangzhou广州
Home of the Canton Fair. Baiyun district is China's biggest cosmetics manufacturing base; Shiling in Huadu makes leather handbags and bags.
Shenzhen深圳
Huaqiangbei electronics market: phones and accessories, components and consumer gadgets, with makers close by.
Foshan佛山
Sofas and furniture in Longjiang, home appliances in Shunde (Midea's home base), and ceramic tiles and bathroom ceramics.
Zhongshan中山
Guzhen is known as China's lighting capital: decorative, commercial and LED lighting. The north of the city makes small kitchen appliances.
Dongguan东莞
Humen town is a centre for womenswear and fashion, much of it now selling through livestream and online stores.
Shantou汕头
Chenghai district is China's toy town: plastic and electronic toys, building blocks, remote-control and collectible toys.
Chaozhou & Yangjiang潮州 · 阳江
Chaozhou makes everyday ceramics, tableware and bathroom ceramics. Yangjiang makes kitchen knives, scissors and kitchen tools.
Yiwu义乌
The world's biggest small-goods market: gifts, toys, stationery, household goods, and over 20,000 lines of Christmas and festive decorations.
Yongkang永康
China's hardware city: power tools, security doors and smart locks, vacuum flasks, cups and cookware.
Ningbo宁波
Cixi makes small appliances like irons, hair dryers and heaters. Ninghai makes office stationery and trekking poles; the region also makes tents and camping gear.
Huzhou湖州
Zhili town makes children's clothing. Anji is China's office chair capital, plus bamboo furniture. Daixi has a cosmetics manufacturing town.
Taizhou台州
Linhai makes outdoor furniture, parasols, awnings and garden products. Sanmen county specialises in waterproof outdoor jackets.
Wenzhou温州
Longgang is China's printing city: packaging, paper bags, boxes and labels. Shuitou in Pingyang makes pet chews, leads and harnesses.
Quanzhou泉州
Jinjiang makes sports shoes and sportswear. Dehua makes ceramic gifts and tea sets. Nan'an trades natural stone and makes taps and plumbing fittings.
Nantong南通
Diezhiqiao in Haimen is a bedding hub: quilts, duvets, pillows and bed linen. Nantong also makes home fitness gear.
Linyi临沂
China's largest cluster of specialised wholesale markets, plus a major logistics hub for building materials and everyday goods.
Weifang潍坊
Pet food and treats, freeze-dried pet food and pet hardware such as treadmills.
Baoding保定
Baigou makes bags, luggage and backpacks. Gaoyang county makes towels and blankets.
Xuchang许昌
The world's biggest centre for wigs and hair extensions, both human hair and synthetic.
Changsha & Xuzhou长沙 · 徐州
Construction machinery: Sany and Zoomlion in Changsha, XCMG in Xuzhou, with used and rebuilt machinery traded near Changsha.
Not sure which city fits your product? Tell us what you sell. We'll tell you where it's made and plan the trip, or visit for you and report back.
Plan my China trip
Straightforward guidance for whatever brings you to China
From a short business trip to a live-in tutoring placement, our China-based partners help Australians navigate the right visa pathway — with practical, honest advice every step of the way.
- Business & trade fair visas
- Study & language courses
- Work & live-in tutoring placements
- Family & reunion visas
Let's chat about what you're selling and how we can help. Or join our free Seller Circle first.