Dates

    21–23 Oct 2026

    City / country

    Shanghai, China

    Venue

    Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC

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    Event overview

    Overview

    The China Preschool Expo 2026 is the premier platform for the preschool education industry, showcasing innovative products and solutions.

    It will take place from October 21 to 23, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, featuring over 2,700 exhibitors and 110,000 professional visitors.

    TL;DR

    1. 1Dates: October 21-23, 2026
    2. 2Location: Shanghai New International Expo Centre
    3. 3Exhibitors: Over 2,700
    4. 4Visitors: 110,000+ professionals
    5. 5Focus: Innovative preschool education products

    Why visit

    Visitors will gain insights into the latest educational products, network with industry professionals, and discover innovative solutions tailored for preschool institutions.

    Why exhibit

    Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their products to a targeted audience, connect with potential buyers, and enhance brand visibility in the preschool education sector. The China Preschool Expo is vital for connecting industry leaders and fostering innovation in preschool education. It serves as a hub for new trends and products, enhancing the quality of early childhood education.

    Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

    Who this event is for

    Visitor profile

    Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

    Preschool educators and administrators
    Childcare providers and nursery owners
    Educational product distributors
    Parents and guardians interested in preschool education
    Government officials in education
    Investors in educational technology

    Exhibitor profile

    Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

    Manufacturers of educational toys
    Providers of preschool furniture
    Suppliers of educational materials
    Developers of early childhood curricula
    Technology companies focused on preschool education
    Consultants in early childhood education

    Product categories

    Key solution areas showcased across the event.

    Educational toys and games
    Preschool furniture and equipment
    Learning materials and resources
    Outdoor play equipment
    Textiles and clothing for preschools
    Innovative educational programs and courses

    Location & Facilities

    Venue

    Open in Google Maps

    Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC

    2345 Longyang Road, Shanghai, China

    Attend

    Entry & tickets

    Register

    Who runs the show

    Organisers

    China Toy & Juvenile Products Association (CTJPA)

    SmartInfo

    How the last edition performed

    Previous edition

    Last edition

    2025

    unknown

    This edition

    2026

    Next edition

    Not announced yet

    Impact

    A bigger and stronger platform

    The China Preschool Expo 2026 is the premier platform for the preschool education industry, showcasing innovative products and solutions. It will take place from October 21 to 23, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, featuring over 2,700 exhibitors and 110,000 professional visitors. The China Preschool Expo is vital for connecting industry leaders and fostering innovation in preschool education. It serves as a hub for new trends and products, enhancing the.

    Exhibitor outcomes

    Real business growth

    Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their products to a targeted audience, connect with potential buyers, and enhance brand visibility in the preschool education sector. Exhibitors: Over 2,700. The China Preschool Expo is vital for connecting industry leaders and fostering innovation in preschool education. It serves as a hub for new trends and products, enhancing the quality of early childhood education. Meet qualified buyers and partners including. Exhibitor categories include Manufacturers of.

    Intelligence

    Market context

    Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

    Shanghai, China — East China / Yangtze River Delta

    Why it matters

    China is the world's largest toy manufacturing base and one of the biggest early-childhood education markets, and Shanghai sits at the centre of both: SNIEC hosts the CTJPA autumn fair cluster that draws Chinese kindergartens, distributors and exporters in one venue. For international buyers the show is the fastest route to factory-direct preschool furniture, play equipment and learning materials; for brands it is the gateway to Chinese kindergarten chains and to Asian distributors sourcing re-export volumes. The Yangtze River Delta also concentrates design, mould-making and plastics supply chains within a few hours of the venue, making supplier visits practical around the show.

    Industry trends

    Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

    01

    Digital buyer journeys

    Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.

    02

    Sustainability in procurement

    Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.

    03

    Automation and labour efficiency

    Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.

    04

    Regional supply-chain resilience

    Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.

    05

    Hybrid engagement models

    Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.

    Global preschool, toy and kids' products circuit

    Shanghai October fairs should be planned 4–6 months ahead for exhibitors (space, stand build, freight) and 4–8 weeks ahead for visitors (visa, flights, hotel near Huamu Road).

    China Preschool Expo sits inside the CTJPA autumn cluster in Shanghai and complements the wider global early-years circuit — German and Hong Kong toy fairs in January, and the US kids' show in spring. Buyers planning a full sourcing year typically pair the Shanghai October fairs with one European and one Asian fair.

    January

    European and Hong Kong toy/kids fairs — order-writing season and new-product launches.

    October

    Shanghai CTJPA cluster (China Toy Expo, China Kids Expo, China Preschool Expo) — strongest Asian sourcing window.

    Peer events identified from established industry circuit knowledge and the organiser's own co-located fair programme; confirm dates and websites with each organiser before planning travel.

    Plan your trip

    Travel & logistics

    Local currency · CNY

    Arrival airports

    Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

    PVG

    Shanghai Pudong

    Maglev + metro or taxi to Pudong expo clusters.

    to venue

    45–70 min to SNIEC

    by car

    SHA

    Shanghai Hongqiao

    Hongqiao is closer to central Shanghai halls.

    to venue

    30–45 min

    by car

    Hotel tiers

    A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

    Budget
    Longyang Road / Huamu Road, Pudong — 10–20 min walk or one metro stop from SNIEC

    USD 45–80 / night

    Limited-service Chinese chains; book early as October is a heavy trade-fair month in Shanghai. Confirm the branch is on the Huamu/Longyang Road side of Pudong, not central Shanghai.

    source
    Mid-range
    Huamu Road — directly opposite or within a short walk of SNIEC gates

    USD 85–140 / night

    Best value for exhibitors who want to walk to the halls; breakfast and late check-out policies worth confirming at booking.

    source
    Premium
    Huamu Road, connected to the SNIEC complex

    USD 150–260 / night

    Top choice for exhibitor teams and buyers holding meetings on site — direct access to the halls and business/lounge facilities; rates spike during major co-located fairs.

    source

    Local transport

    Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

    taxi

    Estimated costCNY 130–180 taxi (~USD 18–25); DiDi rideshare similar
    Best forShanghai Pudong (PVG) → Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Huamu Road

    ~30–35 km, typically 30–45 min off-peak, 60+ min in rush hour. Use the official taxi queue or DiDi; keep the destination written in Chinese (上海新国际博览中心).

    train_maglev

    Estimated costMaglev CNY 50 single / CNY 40 with same-day boarding pass / CNY 80 return (~USD 6–11); Line 7 metro CNY 3–5
    Best forShanghai Pudong (PVG) to Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC

    Maglev covers the 30 km in 7–8 min to Longyang Road; from there SNIEC is one metro stop (Line 7, Huamu Road) or a short taxi ride.

    metro

    Estimated costCNY 3–5 per ride (~USD 0.5–0.7), stored-value/QR ticket
    Best forMetro Line 7 (Huamu Road station) → SNIEC halls

    Line 7 Huamu Road serves the venue directly; Line 2 Longyang Road is the other main interchange, about 2 km from the halls with taxi/bus connections.

    metro

    Estimated costCNY 6–8 (~USD 1)
    Best forShanghai Hongqiao (SHA) → Longyang Road (Line 2), transfer Line 7 to Huamu Road

    Direct Line 2 service from Hongqiao airport and Hongqiao railway station; total journey roughly 60–75 min including the transfer.

    taxi

    Estimated costCNY 150–200 taxi (~USD 21–28)
    Best forShanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC

    ~35–40 km; 45–75 min depending on traffic. Cheaper than Pudong only if your flight lands at Hongqiao.

    Plan your trip

    Visa & entry documents

    Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

    Visa required
    ATA Carnet: accepted
    TypeWho needs itFeeProcessing
    M visa (business)Business visitors and exhibitors from nationalities not covered by China's visa-free or transit schemes$185.00Typically 4 working days at the visa centre once the application is lodged (allow 2–4 weeks end-to-end with appointment and courier)
    L visa (tourist)Accompanying family, non-business travellers and visitors without an organiser invitation letter$185.00Typically 4 working days at the visa centre after lodgement
    Unilateral visa-free entry (30 days)Holders of passports from countries currently on China's unilateral visa-free list (broad coverage across Europe plus a number of Asia-Pacific and Latin American countries)—None — granted at immigration on arrival
    240-hour (10-day) visa-free transitTravellers from the 55 eligible nationalities transiting China to a third country, entering through Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao with a confirmed onward ticket—Granted on arrival at the transit counter

    China's unilateral visa-free scheme and the 240-hour transit policy cover a large share of European, Asia-Pacific and Latin American passports; both are extended or adjusted periodically, so confirm your nationality's status on the National Immigration Administration site or with the Chinese embassy before booking.

    China accepts ATA Carnets for temporary admission of exhibition goods; the Carnet must be validated/guaranteed through CCPIT (China Chamber of International Commerce) — confirm the procedure with your issuing chamber and the organiser's freight partner.

    Official visa page

    Weather

    October in Shanghai is mid-autumn and one of the most comfortable months of the year: daytime highs around 22–24 °C, overnight lows around 15–17 °C and roughly 50–60 mm of rain spread over 6–8 wet days. Show days are usually dry with pleasant walking weather, but evenings cool down sharply — pack a light jacket or sweater.

    Plan for the climate

    Check temperatures and pack accordingly

    Venue connectivity

    Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to China.

    Ride-hailing

    Taxis

    Public transit

    Car rentals

    Cultural notes

    Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

    Tipping & payments

    Tipping is not customary in China — taxis, restaurants and hotels do not expect it. Alipay and WeChat Pay are near-universal; set up one of them and link an international card before arrival, as many venues are effectively cashless. Carry a small amount of CNY for taxis and small purchases.

    Business etiquette

    Exchange business cards with both hands and a slight bow, and keep cards with Mandarin-scripted titles on one side where possible. Arrive punctually, treat senior staff first, and expect follow-up to move to WeChat rather than email. Gifts are welcome but should be modest and not overtly expensive.

    Dress & show days

    Business casual is the norm on the SNIEC floor — smart trousers/shirt for meetings, comfortable shoes for long stretches on concrete aisles. Carry your passport or ID for security screening and badge collection at the venue.

    Practical guides

    Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

    Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

    Flights

    Destination: PVG

    Book flights to PVG when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare SHA only if fares are materially lower.

    Visa

    Most international visitors need a Chinese visa unless covered by China's unilateral visa-free scheme (30 days for many European and several Asia-Pacific and Latin American passports) or the 240-hour visa-free transit available to 55 nationalities arriving through Shanghai. Business visitors and exhibitors normally apply for the M (business) visa at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, with an invitation letter from the organiser — allow at least 4 weeks and confirm your nationality's current status with the Chinese embassy before booking flights.

    Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).

    Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

    USD 185 reflects the published US-citizen reciprocity fee for an M/L visa; consular fees differ by nationality — check your local Chinese Visa Application Service Centre before paying. Invitation letter from the organiser is normally required. US-citizen figure; other nationalities are usually lower. Hotel bookings and return tickets are typically requested.

    Official

    Transport

    Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

    Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Shanghai Pudong (PVG): 45–70 min to SNIEC; Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): 30–45 min. Allow road or rail time to Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.

    Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC: Longyang Road / Huamu Road, Pudong — 10–20 min walk or one metro stop from SNIEC: Jinjiang Inn (Longyang Road / New International Expo Centre area branches), Home Inn (Huamu / Longyang Road area); Huamu Road — directly opposite or within a short walk of SNIEC gates: Dorsett Shanghai (Huamu Road, opposite SNIEC), Renaissance Shanghai Pudong Hotel (short taxi/metro ride); Huamu Road, connected to the SNIEC complex: Kerry Hotel Pu

    Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Shanghai; confirm local availability before travel.

    Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC.

    Parking: On-site parking is available at Shanghai New International Expo Centre - SNIEC; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

    Weather

    Plan and pack for the event climate.

    Month: October 2026

    Temperature: 15–24 °C (daytime highs ~22–24 °C; overnight lows ~15–17 °C)

    Seasonality: Autumn — one of Shanghai's drier and most comfortable seasons. Expect ~6–8 rain days and 50–60 mm in October; short showers are more likely than all-day rain, though an early-October typhoon remnant is possible. Layers are advisable for cool evenings.

    Packing: October in Shanghai is mid-autumn and one of the most comfortable months of the year: daytime highs around 22–24 °C, overnight lows around 15–17 °C and roughly 50–60 mm of rain spread over 6–8 wet days. Show days are usually dry with pleasant walking weather, but evenings cool down sharply — pack a

    Plan your trip

    Planning

    Best day for qualified buyer meetings: Day 2 — Thursday 22 October 2026

    Across the three-day run (Wed 21 – Fri 23 October 2026), day two typically carries the strongest buyer footfall and full exhibitor staffing — day one is partly absorbed by set-up, badge queues and first orientation walks, while day three (Friday) thins out and suppliers start packing. No detailed session agenda is published yet, so if conference or forum sessions matter to you, check the organiser's schedule page closer to the show and shift your visit to the day with the strongest seminar line-up.

    Side trips

    2

    The Bund & Nanjing Road (Huangpu riverside)

    Zhujiajiao Water Town (Qingpu)

    Networking spots

    3

    SNIEC hall concourses and buyer/B2B meeting areas

    On-site buyer lounges and concourse seating are where exhibitor teams and registered buyers hold walk-up meetings between show blocks — no travel time, best density of relevant contacts.

    Kerry Hotel Pudong lobby lounge (Huamu Road, adjacent to SNIEC)

    The default after-hours meeting point for exhibitors and buyers from the co-located CTJPA fairs; easy to reach on foot from the halls and common for supplier dinners.

    Thumb Plaza and Huamu Road dining cluster

    Concentration of restaurants, cafés and casual meeting space where Chinese and international buyers debrief after show hours; convenient for informal follow-ups with suppliers.

    Budget

    Costs & budget

    Cost reference

    Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

    visa_fee

    visitor · M/L visa (single entry)

    USD 185 / per applicant — US-citizen reciprocity fee; other nationalities typically lower, confirm with your local Chinese visa centre

    estimate

    visa_fee

    visitor · visa-free entry / 240-hour transit

    —

    estimate

    visa_fee

    visitor · M visa (business)

    USD 185 / per application

    official

    visa_fee

    visitor · L visa (tourist)

    USD 185 / per application

    official

    Decision

    Visit, exhibit, or skip?

    Should you go?

    Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

    QUESTION 1 OF 6

    What is your primary role?

    Decision matrix

    Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

    visit

    You need to compare suppliers in person, verify product quality and certifications, and establish WeChat-level relationships before placing orders.

    Best for

    Brand owners, importers/distributors, kindergarten operators and educators sourcing preschool furniture, play equipment, learning materials or looking for Chinese OEM/ODM partners

    Min. budget

    $550.00

    Timeline

    4–8 weeks — visa application, flights and a hotel near Huamu Road

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Chinese visa timelines can stretch in peak autumn season — lodge the application 4+ weeks ahead.

    October is a heavy trade-fair month in Shanghai; hotels near SNIEC sell out early and rates spike.

    exhibit

    You have a China-ready product line, can staff the stand with Mandarin-capable staff or an interpreter, and are prepared for a 6–12 month sales cycle.

    Best for

    Manufacturers and brands targeting Chinese kindergartens, distributors and pan-Asian OEM/ODM buyers, or exporters using the co-located CTJPA fairs to reach wider toy and kids' audiences

    Min. budget

    $2,200.00

    Timeline

    4–6 months — space application, contract and stand build, freight/ATA Carnet, staff travel and visas

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Stand and space pricing is not published on the official site — request the current rate card and co-exhibitor options from CTJPA before committing.

    Products must meet Chinese GB safety standards; non-compliant samples may be blocked at customs.

    skip

    Your supply chain is already established through an agent or trading company, or the preschool/early-years segment is outside your category focus — follow the co-located fair reports instead.

    Best for

    Buyers whose China sourcing is already handled by an agent, or companies whose target market sits outside China and Asia

    Timeline

    None

    Risks

    No major risks listed.

    Gallery

    Photos

    Official imagery from China Preschool Expo 2026
    Official imagery from China Preschool Expo 2026

    Trust footer

    Sources

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    References

    1

    Publishers

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    Date checked

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    China Preschool Expo

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