National Day Auto Show Opens: October 1–5, Halls 1–5, Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
If you want to see all the new cars in one go and compare Shenzhen and Hong Kong car prices along the way, the 2026 National Day "Shenzhen International Automobile Exhibition & Intelligent Connected and Future Mobility Auto Expo" (also known as the Shenzhen Auto Carnival) is the most convenient choice. This year is the 18th edition, running for five days from October 1 to October 5 at Halls 1–5, Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian), open daily 09:00–17:00.
The indoor venue covers about 80,000 square metres, with official figures of 800+ new cars and 100+ brands exhibiting, spanning luxury, joint-venture and domestic brands, with new energy and intelligent connected vehicles as this year's headline. For Hong Kong visitors, the auto show has two practical uses: first, comparing the specs and prices of domestic new-energy brands all in one place (many models you may not get to see in Hong Kong); second, National Day falls in the traditional "Golden September, Silver October" consumption period, when the government and carmakers offer joint discounts, so deals and maintenance perks are usually bigger than on ordinary days.
How much are tickets? Early bird ¥19.9, full price ¥50
| Item | Price / Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird ticket | ¥19.9 | Presale on the official ticketing platform, limited quantity, while stocks last |
| Full price ticket | ¥50 | On site or via official channels |
| Opening hours | 09:00–17:00 | Daily from October 1–5; the last day usually closes early |
| Location | Halls 1–5, Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center | Fuhua 3rd Road, Futian District |
Ticket prices and free-entry policies are subject to the latest announcement on the official ticketing platform (in past years, children under 1.2 metres were mostly free but had to be accompanied by an adult). It's strongly recommended to buy e-tickets in advance — during National Day, the queue for on-site ticket exchange can run over 30 minutes.
How to get there from the three checkpoints? The metro goes direct from all of them — no taxi needed
- From Luohu Checkpoint: Board at Luohu Station and take Metro Line 1 direct to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, no transfers the whole way, about 20 minutes. Luohu is the smoothest checkpoint of the three.
- From Futian Checkpoint: Board at Futian Checkpoint Station and take Metro Line 4 — just two stops to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, a 6–8 minute ride, the fastest of the three checkpoints.
- From Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Take Metro Line 13 to Houhai Station, transfer to Line 11 to Chegongmiao Station, then transfer to Line 1 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station; if you're in a hurry, just hail a car or Didi, about 25–35 minutes.
After exiting the gates, follow the "Convention & Exhibition Center Station" signs — it's about a 5–10 minute walk to the Halls 1–5 entrance. The first day of National Day (October 1) and the last day are the busiest, so it's best to enter between 09:00–11:00 or after 14:00 to avoid the midday peak.
More than just cars: markets, esports, photo-check-in prizes
- "WHY NOT Fun-Filled Exploration Block": An IP cultural-creative market plus light bites and drinks — sit down and eat when you're tired of walking, with prices similar to a mall food court.
- Main stage: Guest interactions, live music and large-scale esports tournaments; the schedule varies by day, so check the on-site timetable when you enter.
- Photo check-in route: Follow the "Fun Map" to check in at each point; complete the interactive tasks and you can redeem prizes at the "Redemption Addict" perks station — in past years these included lifetime car maintenance services and smart home appliances.
- Itasha culture zone and art displays: Great for photos, with more design flair than a typical auto show.
- New energy test-sit zone: Most brands let you sit inside the cabin to see the interior and try the central control screen, and some offer simulated driving experiences.
Add-on sightseeing: what else to do around the Convention & Exhibition Center
Convention & Exhibition Center Station is itself in the heart of Futian — a few minutes' walk from the exit brings you to Link CentralWalk and One Avenue, two malls with a high density of restaurants where ¥60–¥120 per person already gets you a good meal. Two more stops gets you to Galaxy COCO Park, or Shenzhen Book City Central City for books.
If you enter via Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and want to do some shopping after the auto show, on the way back you can stop at Shenzhen Bay MixC for dinner before crossing the border — no detour needed.
Suggested itinerary: enter at 09:00 to see the cars → 12:00 lunch at the on-site market → 14:00 back in for the new energy zone → leave at 16:30, head to Link CentralWalk or One Avenue for dinner, and be back in Hong Kong before 20:00.
What are the real perks of buying a car at the auto show? What should Hong Kong buyers watch out for
During the auto show, dealers usually stack several layers of offers: manufacturer cash discounts, dealer freebies (charging pile installation, maintenance vouchers, floor mats, window film), financing packages (low-interest or interest-free instalments), plus local government trade-in subsidies. Compared with visiting a 4S dealership on an ordinary day, there's generally a bit more room to negotiate when you put down a deposit at the show, because dozens of brands are competing for customers on the same day.
- How to negotiate: First walk the whole show and collect quotes from everyone, then go back to your favourite brand's booth for a "final price" — don't put down a deposit at the first booth.
- Check the "on-the-road price": Beyond the car price there's purchase tax, insurance, registration fees and accessories — ask for the total before comparing.
- Hong Kong buyers heading north to buy a car: Buying a car in the mainland requires a mainland licence plate, which needs a mainland ID card or residence permit and other conditions — the procedures are completely different from Hong Kong. If you just want to compare prices and specs and aren't planning to buy for now, simply going in to look at cars is absolutely fine.
- Maintenance network: If you really will use the car in the mainland in future, look at how dense the brand's service points are in Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta.
Transport extras: options besides the metro
If you don't want to squeeze onto the metro, consider a few alternatives: take a cross-border bus from urban Hong Kong to Futian Checkpoint or Huanggang, then transfer to a taxi to the Convention & Exhibition Center (about 15 minutes, around ¥20); or take the high-speed rail to Futian Station, then transfer to Metro Line 3 and then Line 1. During the auto show, traffic controls are in place around the venue and self-drive parking spaces are extremely tight — it's best not to drive there.
On the way back, note: the evening of the last day of National Day (October 5) is the peak for returning to Hong Kong, with long queues at Luohu and Futian checkpoints. It's best to leave before 17:00, or switch to Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint.
Practical tips
- Bring your Home Return Permit and the e-ticket QR code — identity is checked on entry.
- The venue air conditioning is cold, so bring a light jacket; if you're walking all day, wear sneakers.
- There are queues to sit in popular models; foot traffic eases a lot after October 3.
- The venue accepts WeChat Pay / Alipay; for Hong Kong visitors, most merchants accept AlipayHK and WeChat Pay HK, but a small number of stalls only take mainland QR codes, so it's best to have both set up.
- Before putting down a deposit on the spot, remember to compare taxes, insurance, maintenance networks and resale prices between Shenzhen and Hong Kong — don't just look at the car price.
- Hotels nearby raise prices during the auto show, so a same-day return trip is actually plenty of time.
FAQ
Do I need to book in advance for the auto show?
No separate booking is needed — once you have a ticket you can enter; but it's strongly recommended to buy an e-ticket in advance, as the on-site ticket queue during National Day will be very long.
Can I bring children?
Yes. There are parent-child interactive workshops and themed photo installations, but with crowds you must hold children tightly, and some display car areas don't allow touching.
Is a same-day return trip from Hong Kong enough time?
Yes. Cross the border at Luohu or Futian Checkpoint before 09:00, take Line 1 / Line 4 direct to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, and 4–5 hours is plenty — getting back to Hong Kong in the evening is easy.
How is the Shenzhen auto show different from Hong Kong's?
The Shenzhen auto show focuses on domestic new energy brands, with newer models and specs than the Hong Kong market and generally lower prices — good for anyone wanting to understand the mainland car market or considering switching cars up north.
Can tickets be refunded?
Refund and change rules are decided by the ticketing platform; generally e-tickets can't be refunded once sold, so read the terms carefully before buying, subject to the official ticketing platform's announcement.
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