CIFIT Travel Guide — China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen
Your Complete Business Travel Companion for China's Premier Investment Event
✑ September 8–11, 2026 ✑ Xiamen International Expo Center ✑ 200,000 m² Exhibition Space
Plan Your China Trip →What Is CIFIT — The China International Fair for Investment and Trade?
The China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), known in Chinese as 中国国际投资贸易洽谈会 and affectionately called the "Investment Fair" (投洽会), is China's only state-level exhibition exclusively dedicated to investment promotion. Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and co-organized by six major international institutions — the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) — CIFIT has established itself as one of the world's most influential international investment events.
Since its inception in 1987 as a regional investment platform in Fujian, CIFIT has evolved into a global benchmark for two-way investment flows. Its permanent theme — "Expanding Two-Way Investment, Jointly Facilitating Global Development" — reflects its dual mission: attracting foreign investment into China while simultaneously facilitating Chinese enterprises' outbound investment. The fair serves three core functions: investment promotion and matchmaking, authoritative policy and data release, and investment trend discussion and forecasting.
Over 25 consecutive editions, CIFIT has become the definitive gateway for global investors seeking access to the Chinese market, and for Chinese businesses exploring international expansion opportunities. The 25th CIFIT in 2025 drew over 80,000 business participants from 138 countries and regions, with 1,100+ official delegations, 1,154 signed investment projects, and 120,000 m² of exhibition space — all setting recent record highs.
26th CIFIT 2026 — What Makes This Year Different?
The 26th CIFIT, scheduled for September 8–11, 2026, introduces several landmark changes that make it the most significant edition to date:
☆ New Venue — Xiamen International Expo Center
For the first time in its history, CIFIT moves to the brand-new Xiamen International Expo Center. This state-of-the-art facility dramatically upgrades the exhibition experience with modern pavilions, intelligent venue navigation, smart parking, and seamless connectivity to Metro Line 3.
☆ Exhibition Area Expands 60%
Total exhibition space leaps from 120,000 m² to approximately 200,000 m² — a 60% increase that creates history's largest CIFIT. The expanded space accommodates more exhibitors, broader thematic zones, and enhanced project matching facilities.
☆ AI-Powered Project Matching
The 26th CIFIT introduces artificial intelligence into its project matchmaking system. The AI engine automatically identifies, analyzes, and matches investment projects with potential investors, dramatically improving the precision of capital-to-project connections and enabling real-time smart recommendations.
☆ Three Major Investment Sections
The exhibition is organized around three pillars: "Invest in China" — connecting international capital with Chinese opportunities; "Chinese Investment" — supporting outbound investment and enterprise globalization; "International Investment" — promoting cross-border partnerships and multilateral cooperation.
☆ Smart Conference Experience
A new intelligent conference management system integrates accommodation, transport, and venue logistics. "Tap-to-connect" NFC interactions enable one-stop information queries, schedule management, and check-in. The system links with the Expo Center's smart venue operations for indoor navigation and parking guidance.
☆ High-Level Forums & Events
Highlights include the International Investment Forum, the Gulangyu Night gala, the Future Investment Conference, the BRICS Investment Cooperation Dialogue, and the China Investment Corporation International Advisory Committee annual meeting — drawing senior government officials and Fortune 500 executives.
📢 "Invest in China" Section
- Multinational Corporation Roundtable Dialogue
- Service Industry Opening-Up Pilot Zone Exchanges
- Private Enterprise Dialogues with Global 500
- Provincial & Municipal Investment Environment Showcases
- New Quality Productivity & Industrial Internet Innovation Zone
- Specialized & Sophisticated SME International Cooperation Zone
- Financial Capital Matchmaking Zone
🌍 "Chinese Investment" & "International Investment"
- Overseas Comprehensive Service System Zone
- Key Industry Overseas Expansion Dialogues
- Financial Cross-Border Investment Support
- International Engineering Supply Chain Zone
- Overseas Country Investment Promotion Pavilions
- Multilateral & Bilateral Economic Exchange Sessions
- "Gulangyu Night" — Premium Networking Gala
How to Register and Prepare for CIFIT
Attending CIFIT requires advance preparation, particularly for international visitors. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your participation goes smoothly:
Registration Process
International participants can register through two primary channels:
- Official website: Visit www.chinafair.org.cn to apply for visitor credentials, exhibition booths, or project matching sessions.
- Cloud CIFIT WeChat mini-program: Search "云上投洽会" on WeChat to access mobile registration, project submissions, and real-time matchmaking.
Registration categories include: Exhibitor (setting up a booth), Professional Visitor (attending forums and exhibitions), and Project Participant (submitting investment projects for matching). Each category has different credential types and access privileges.
Visa Requirements
Most international attendees require a Chinese visa. Key considerations:
📋 Xiamen's 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Citizens of 54 eligible countries — including all EU member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most ASEAN nations — can enjoy 144-hour (6-day) visa-free entry when transiting through Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport or Xiamen Port to a third country. This policy is ideal for short CIFIT attendance. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination within 144 hours.
For those who need a standard visa, the M (Business) visa is the appropriate category. CIFIT organizers can issue official invitation letters to support your application at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Request this invitation at least 4 weeks before your planned travel date.
Discovering Xiamen — China's Garden City on the Sea
Xiamen, often called the "Garden City on the Sea" or "Egret Island" (鹭岛), is one of China's most livable and scenic coastal cities. Situated on the southeast coast of Fujian Province along the Taiwan Strait, Xiamen blends a subtropical island climate, rich Minnan cultural heritage, and a cosmopolitan business environment shaped by decades of international trade and investment — making it the ideal host city for CIFIT.
With an average September temperature of 26–30°C (79–86°F) and relatively low rainfall, the weather during CIFIT is comfortable for both indoor exhibition activities and outdoor sightseeing. The city's compact layout means most attractions are within a 30-minute radius of the Expo Center.
🏔 Gulangyu Island — UNESCO World Heritage
A pedestrian-only island reachable by a 10-minute ferry from Xiamen. Gulangyu's 19th-century colonial architecture, winding lanes, piano museums, and seaside promenades earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017. Key spots: Sunlight Rock (the island's highest point with panoramic views), Shuzhuang Garden with its piano museum, and the winding coastal path. Allow 4–6 hours.
🏘 Nanputuo Temple & Xiamen University
Nanputuo Temple, dating to the Tang Dynasty, sits at the foot of Five Old Men Peak with sweeping views over the campus of Xiamen University — one of China's most beautiful universities, framed between mountains and the sea. The temple's vegetarian restaurant is locally famous. The university's classical Chinese architecture and lakeside paths are free to explore with advance reservation.
🗺 Hulishan Fortress & Island Ring Road
Hulishan Fortress houses the world's largest surviving Krupp coastal cannon (28cm, 1893). Adjacent Baicheng Beach connects to Xiamen's celebrated Island Ring Road — a 43-km coastal promenade perfect for cycling, jogging, or sunset strolls. Rent a bicycle near the university end and ride along the golden coastline to enjoy panoramic ocean views.
🛒 Zhongshan Road & Eighth Market (Bashi)
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street is Xiamen's historic commercial heart, lined with Southern Fujian arcade buildings (骑楼) dating to the 1920s. For authentic local life, visit the Eighth Market (八市) — Xiamen's largest and oldest wet market, where locals shop for fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and traditional snacks amid vibrant street scenes that define the city's culinary soul.
🌳 Xiamen Botanical Garden (Wanshi Park)
Over 1,800 plant species across themed zones. The Rainforest World — with mist machines creating a misty tropical atmosphere — is a photographer's favorite. The Succulent Zone features dramatic desert landscapes. A cable car connects the garden to the harbor for aerial city views. Early morning visits offer the best mist effects before the heat builds.
Xiamen Food Culture — A Minnan Culinary Journey
Xiamen's cuisine represents the best of Minnan (闽南) food culture — a distinctive Southern Fujian tradition known for its fresh seafood emphasis, aromatic satay-based seasonings, delicate soups, and street snacks that have been perfected over centuries. For CIFIT visitors, the city offers an extraordinary culinary landscape from quick market bites to refined banquet dining.
🍜 Must-Try Local Dishes
- Oyster Omelet (海蛎煎) — Fresh oysters with eggs and sweet potato starch, topped with chili sauce
- Satay Noodles (沙茶面) — Xiamen's signature noodle soup with a rich peanut-spice satay broth
- Spring Rolls (薄饼/润饼) — Thin wrappers stuffed with vegetables, pork, seaweed, and peanut powder
- Peanut Soup (花生汤) — Sweet, slow-cooked peanut dessert served warm or cold
- Fish Ball Soup (鱼丸汤) — Handmade fish balls with pork filling, a Gulangyu specialty
- Red Bean Cakes (红豆糕) — Gulangyu's famous sweet pastry souvenir
- Shacha Sauce — Xiamen's unique satay condiment, essential to local flavor identity
🍽 Where to Eat During CIFIT
- Eighth Market (八市) — Raw authenticity; grab oyster omelets and fresh seafood at market stalls
- Zhongshan Road — Chain and local restaurants; Huangzehe Peanut Soup (老字号)
- Shapowei (沙坡尾) — Trendy harbor district with craft cafés, bistro bars, and seafood
- Zengcuo'an (曾厝垵) — Village food street with snacks, barbecue, and local desserts
- Gulangyu — Fish-ball shops, red-bean cakes, and seaside cafés on the island
- Expo Center Area — Upscale hotel restaurants and conference dining during event hours
- Binbei/Guanren Road — International dining: Mexican, Italian, Japanese, fusion bistros
Getting to Xiamen and Navigating the City
Xiamen's transportation infrastructure makes it one of the most accessible event cities in China. Whether arriving by air, rail, or sea, connections are efficient and well-serviced.
| Route | Mode | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai → Xiamen | High-Speed Rail | ~4 hours | Multiple daily trains; book early during CIFIT |
| Beijing → Xiamen | High-Speed Rail | ~8 hours | Overnight sleeper options available |
| Guangzhou → Xiamen | High-Speed Rail | ~3 hours | 6+ daily services via Shenzhen |
| Shenzhen → Xiamen | High-Speed Rail | ~2.5 hours | Fastest southern gateway |
| Singapore → Xiamen | Direct Flight | ~4.5 hours | XiamenAir & Scoot direct services |
| Tokyo → Xiamen | Direct Flight | ~3 hours | XiamenAir seasonal routes |
| Seoul → Xiamen | Direct Flight | ~2.5 hours | Multiple carriers |
| Hong Kong → Xiamen | Flight / Rail | 1.5h / 3.5h | Flight is faster; rail via Shenzhen |
Getting Around Xiamen During CIFIT
- Metro: Xiamen Metro Line 3 connects directly to the International Expo Center. Line 1 serves the city center (Xiamen University, Zhongshan Road area). Fares range from ¥2–7.
- CIFIT Shuttle Buses: Free dedicated shuttle buses operate between major hotels, the airport, and the Expo Center during event dates.
- Taxi / DiDi: Widely available. Airport to Expo Center: ~¥60–80. Download DiDi app for ride-hailing.
- BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): Elevated bus lanes connecting key corridors. Fares ¥1–3. Efficient for reaching suburban areas.
- Ferry to Gulangyu: Departs from Dongdu Cruise Center. Tourist tickets ¥35–50 return. Advance booking recommended during CIFIT week.
- Shared Bicycles: Hellobike and Meituan bikes available for coastal rides along Island Ring Road.
Accommodation in Xiamen During CIFIT
CIFIT week is Xiamen's peak hotel demand period. With 80,000+ business visitors converging on the city, accommodation near the Expo Center and central Siming District fills rapidly. Book at least 2 months ahead for best rates and availability.
| Category | Area | Price Range (CIFIT week) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Star Luxury | Siming / Hubin | ¥800–2,000/night | Senior executives, formal hosting |
| 4-Star Business | Siming / Jimei | ¥400–800/night | Mid-level managers, extended stays |
| 3-Star / Budget | Jimei / Huli | ¥200–400/night | Cost-conscious visitors, SME reps |
| Apartment / Airbnb-style | Various | ¥150–500/night | Groups, longer stays, family travelers |
📋 CIFIT Official Hotel Booking Service
The CIFIT organizing committee provides a hotel reservation platform through the official website and Cloud CIFIT mini-program, offering negotiated rates at partner hotels. This service is especially valuable during peak demand when market prices surge. Access it at www.chinafair.org.cn under "Hotel Booking" (酒店预订).
Practical Tips for International CIFIT Visitors
✅ Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓ Register on www.chinafair.org.cn or Cloud CIFIT mini-program at least 6 weeks ahead
- ✓ Apply for M visa (or verify 144-hour visa-free transit eligibility)
- ✓ Request official CIFIT invitation letter if needed for visa application
- ✓ Book hotel accommodation at least 2 months before September
- ✓ Submit overseas project information via the "Project Matching" portal for pre-arranged meetings
- ✓ Install WeChat, DiDi, and a translation app before departure
- ✓ Prepare business cards in both English and Chinese if possible
- ✓ Download the Cloud CIFIT app for real-time event schedule and smart navigation
⚠ Important Reminders
- Payment: Xiamen is highly cashless. Bring UnionPay or Visa/Mastercard (accepted at major hotels and restaurants). Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card for market-level purchases.
- September weather: 26–30°C with occasional afternoon showers. Pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a compact umbrella.
- Gulangyu ferry: Tourist ferries depart from Dongdu Cruise Center, not the old Lundu terminal. Reserve tickets online in advance during CIFIT week as demand surges.
- Language: Major hotels and CIFIT pavilions have English-speaking staff. Local markets and street vendors are predominantly Mandarin/Minnan speakers — use translation apps.
- Internet access: Standard Chinese internet regulations apply. Arrange a VPN before arrival if you need unrestricted access to certain international services.
Suggested 5-Day CIFIT + Xiamen Itinerary
For business visitors who want to combine productive CIFIT participation with Xiamen exploration, here is a balanced schedule:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Sep 7) | Arrive in Xiamen; check in | Walk Zhongshan Road; snack at Bashi Market | Seaside dinner at Shapowei |
| Day 2 (Sep 8) | CIFIT Opening Ceremony; exhibition tour | "Invest in China" pavilion; project matching | Gulangyu Night gala (if invited) |
| Day 3 (Sep 9) | CIFIT forums & seminars | "International Investment" pavilion | Dinner on Gulangyu Island |
| Day 4 (Sep 10) | CIFIT project negotiation | "Chinese Investment" outbound zone | Nanputuo Temple sunset; university walk |
| Day 5 (Sep 11) | Final CIFIT meetings; closing events | Gulangyu full exploration (4–6 hours) | Departure or optional Island Ring Road cycling |
Frequently Asked Questions About CIFIT Travel
Make CIFIT Your Gateway to Invest in China — and Discover Xiamen
Whether you are attending CIFIT to explore investment opportunities, establish business partnerships, or simply experience one of China's most beautiful coastal cities, our tailor-made tour service ensures every detail — from visa assistance to Gulangyu reservations — is handled for you.
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