China is the world's largest garment producer and exporter, supported by an equally vast exhibition ecosystem — industry data shows over 60 professional textile and apparel trade shows held nationwide each year.
For brands and sourcing buyers, trade shows are one of the most efficient ways to meet factories in person, inspect samples, compare pricing, and build business relationships. But for first-time buyers navigating China's exhibition landscape, it can be overwhelming: What's the difference between CHIC and the Canton Fair? Which shows do sweater factories attend? When is the best time to visit?
This guide covers China's key garment exhibitions from a buyer's perspective, helping brands and sourcing professionals choose the right events for their needs.
I. Comprehensive Mega Shows
1. CHIC (China International Clothing & Accessories Fair)
CHIC is China's largest and most influential professional apparel trade fair, held biannually in Shanghai.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | China International Clothing & Accessories Fair (CHIC) |
| Timing | Spring (March) / Autumn (September) |
| Venue | National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai |
| Scale | Approx. 120,000 sqm, ~1,200 exhibitors |
| Categories | All apparel — women's, men's, kids, knitwear, accessories |
| Audience | Brand buyers, e-commerce merchandisers, department store buyers, international sourcing agents |
CHIC's strength lies in its breadth of categories and brand-driven atmosphere, making it ideal for buyers seeking mid-to-high-end brand suppliers. It features a dedicated knitwear section where sweater manufacturers frequently exhibit.
2. Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair)
The Canton Fair is China's longest-running and largest comprehensive international trade exhibition.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) |
| Timing | Spring (April) / Autumn (October) — three phases per session |
| Venue | Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou |
| Apparel Phase | Phase 1 (mid-April/October) — Garments, Textiles |
| Categories | Export-oriented — apparel, fabrics, home textiles, bags |
The Canton Fair is the most suitable show for overseas buyers — exhibitors are primarily export-oriented factories with strong English communication skills, and all participants pass government qualification screening. For international brands seeking sweater export factories, the Canton Fair is the top choice.
II. Textile & Fabric Specialized Shows
3. Intertextile (China International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics and Accessories)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Spring (March) / Autumn (September) — concurrent with CHIC |
| Venue | National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai |
| Scale | Approx. 260,000 sqm, 4,000+ exhibitors |
| Focus | Fabrics, accessories, yarns, fibers — a concentrated display of the upstream supply chain |
Intertextile is a must-attend for knitwear industry professionals, as the majority of yarn exhibitors are concentrated here. From cashmere and merino to innovative eco-fibers and fancy yarns, Intertextile's yarn section serves as a major barometer for China's knitwear raw materials market. Many sweater factory sourcing teams make dedicated trips to Intertextile to discover new yarns.
4. PH Value (China International Knitting Fair)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Spring (March) / Autumn (August-September) |
| Venue | National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai — concurrent with Intertextile |
| Focus | Knit garments, knitted fabrics, knit accessories — the full knitting category |
PH Value is the only exhibition dedicated exclusively to knitwear and is one of the most important industry events for the knit sector. Coverage spans knit garments, knitted fabrics, knit accessories, and knitting machinery. For brands looking into custom sweaters and knitwear OEM, PH Value delivers exceptional value.
III. Regional Cluster Exhibitions
5. Dalang Knitting Fair (China Dalang International Knitwear Products Fair)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Annually in November |
| Venue | Dalang Knitwear Trading Center, Dongguan |
| Scale | Approx. 50,000 sqm |
| Focus | Sweaters, knitwear, knitting yarns, flat knitting machines — the full knitwear supply chain |
The Dalang Knitting Fair is a regionally focused show dedicated exclusively to knitwear and one of the most important annual gatherings for knit industry professionals. Dalang is one of China's largest knitwear manufacturing clusters. During the fair, the best local sweater processing factories showcase their products in one place. For brands specifically seeking sweater OEM factories, the Dalang Knitting Fair may offer higher relevance and efficiency than CHIC — because everyone attending is from the knit industry.
6. Puyuan Fashion Week / Puyuan Sweater Expo
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Spring (March) / Autumn (September) |
| Venue | Puyuan, Tongxiang, Zhejiang |
| Focus | Wool sweaters, knitwear, knit design — showcasing the Puyuan cluster |
Puyuan is another major knitwear manufacturing cluster in China, specializing in wool sweaters. Its trade shows and fashion weeks serve as important windows into Zhejiang's knitwear industry. For a deep comparison of the Dalang and Puyuan clusters, see Dongguan Dalang vs. Zhejiang Puyuan: A Comparative Guide to China's Knitwear Hubs.
IV. Fashion Weeks & Design Events
7. Shanghai Fashion Week
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Spring (March-April) / Autumn (October) |
| Venue | Xintiandi, Shanghai, and other venues |
| Focus | Designer brand runway shows, showrooms, industry forums |
| Audience | Designer brands, concept stores, high-end brand buyers |
Shanghai Fashion Week is not a traditional trade show but rather an event centered on runway presentations and industry discourse. For brands looking to discover China's independent designer scene and find design inspiration, it is the most worthwhile event to attend.
8. CHIC Shanghai / CHIC Shenzhen
In addition to its main Shanghai edition, CHIC has established a Shenzhen satellite — CHIC Shenzhen (Shenzhen International Apparel Fair), typically held around July each year. For brands and knitwear factories based in southern China, the Shenzhen edition offers greater convenience.
V. Which Trade Shows Do Sweater Factories Attend?
For brands looking to find sweater factories at trade shows, the following events deserve priority attention:
| Exhibition | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PH Value (Knitting Fair) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The most specialized show for the knitwear category |
| Dalang Knitting Fair | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Concentrated display of the knitwear manufacturing cluster |
| CHIC (Shanghai) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Comprehensive show with a worthwhile knitwear section |
| Canton Fair Phase 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High concentration of export-oriented sweater factories |
| Intertextile (Yarn & Fabric) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Best for yarn trend spotting; indirect access to sweater mills |
Linknit (Dongguan Tuosheng Garment Co., Ltd.) is a long-term participant in the above exhibitions and attends the Dalang Knitting Fair and PH Value annually. Clients unable to meet us during show seasons are welcome to contact us online to arrange a virtual factory tour or sample shipment.
VI. Exhibition Tips
Register in Advance
Major shows (CHIC, Canton Fair, Intertextile) require online pre-registration. On-site registration may involve 30-60 minutes of queuing. Watch for early-bird registration channels on official websites 1-2 months before opening.
Bring Business Cards and a Clear Brief
Efficient trade show communication starts with well-prepared materials. The fundamentals covered in What to Prepare Before Your First Knitwear Factory Inquiry apply equally on the trade show floor.
Follow Up Within Three Days
The first three days after a show are the optimal window for follow-up — factory sales teams sort through hundreds of business cards and inquiries post-event. The faster you follow up on sample requests and quotes, the faster the partnership moves forward.
Combine with Factory Visits
If your schedule permits, combining trade show attendance with an on-site factory visit is the most efficient approach. For example, after attending the Canton Fair (Guangzhou) or CHIC/PH Value (Shanghai), you can take a high-speed train to Dongguan Dalang (approx. 40 minutes from Guangzhou) or Zhejiang Puyuan (approx. 1 hour from Shanghai) for a factory tour.
For a comprehensive guide on evaluating knitwear factories, see The Complete Guide to Knitwear Factory Evaluation.
Summary: China's large-scale exhibition ecosystem is well structured, from comprehensive shows like CHIC and the Canton Fair to specialized knitwear events like PH Value and the Dalang Knitting Fair — each serving different sourcing needs. For brands focused on sweaters and knitwear, PH Value and the Dalang Knitting Fair are the most valuable shows to attend.
Plan your exhibition schedule in advance and prepare your materials thoroughly to make the most of limited trade show time in meeting the right sweater suppliers. If you have knitwear development or custom sweater needs, feel free to contact us.