If something in your hand says "Made in China", it probably came from this city - Yiwu, which is about 1.5~3 hours southwest of Shanghai and half an hour southwest of Hangzhou by bullet train.
Yiwu, a county-level city in Jinhua of Zhejiang Province, has the Largest Wholesale Market in the World, and thus is praised as "The World's Capital of Small Commodities". Every year, especially during the annual Yiwu International Commodities Fair held in October, buyers and businessman from all over the world will flood to Yiwu to make a one-day or multi-day buying spree for their stall, shop and supermarket.
The great fame in small commodities, of course, is the main reason attracting visitors from home and abroad to visit Yiwu. However, besides that, Yiwu City is no shortage of old towns, ancient temples, residences of Chinese celebrities, etc. Hengdian World Studio, the Hollywood in China, is aslo close to Yiwu!
Yiwu Attractions include Yiwu International Trade City, Fotang Old Town, Hengdian World Studio, Luo Bingwang Park, Futian Wetland Park, Shuanglin Temple, etc.
Yiwu Wholesale Market (义乌批发市场), or China’s Small Commodity City, is composed of Yiwu International Trade City (Futian Market), Yiwu Huangyuan Garment Market, etc. The tremendous Yiwu Market has over 70,000 stalls, which requires at least half a year to visit all of them. These stalls sell everything from birthday candles to Christmas decorations at unbeatable cheap price!
Fotang Old Town (佛堂古镇) is named after its sacred Buddhist culture, which is called "fo" in Chinese, hence the name. This 1500-year-old ancient town is one of the Four Best Old Towns in Zhejiang Province. It well keeps a large scale of traditional buildings with elegant carvings, which are great windows to trace its prosperities in ancient times.
Hengdian World Studio (横店影视城), which is the world's largest film and television shooting base, is located in Dongyang instead of Yiwu. However, it is only one hour’s drive from the wholesale market in Yiwu. Most of China's ancient costume films and TV works were shot there. It also enjoys the reputation of "Hollywood in China"!
Futian Wetland Park (福田湿地公园), or called Yiwu Wetland Park, is located close to Yiwu International Trade City. This vast wetland park is one of the most popular relaxing places for the locals in Yiwu. Also, it is a good place for the global buyers to kill the time before or after their shopping tour or exploratory trip.
Luo Bingwang Park (骆宾王公园) is built in memory of Luo Bingwang, a famous poet in Tang Dynasty (618-907), hence the name. It is located in the city center of Yiwu. Outside this popular park is the modern city where you can enjoy the prosperity and convenience, while inside the park you will get rid of the hustle of bustle.
Shuanglin Temple (双林寺) in Yiwu is famous for its grand scale and numerous eminent monks. Its history can be traced back to over 1,500 years ago. Besides its Buddhist influence, Shuanglin Temple also gets its popularity because of its amazing Shuanglin Iron Tower built in 952, which is the oldest iron tower in China!
The best thing to do in Yiwu, of course, is to stroll around the stalls and shop something special at its grand wholesale markets. You can also head to the nearby Hengdian World Studio to explore this China’s Hollywood. Paying a visit to a tranquil park or temple is also a good idea. Check the Best Yiwu Activities here:
No matter you are going to visit Yiwu for business reason or not, you are highly suggested to hit one or two Yiwu Markets to explore Yiwu’s trading prosperity and culture. Yiwu International Trade City, which has been hailed as the world's largest professional market by the United Nations, the World Bank and other international organizations, is a good choice.
Besides the markets opened all year around, Yiwu also hold grand China Yiwu International Commodities Fair. During the fair, which starts in October and lasts for 5 days or so, more big manufactures and trading companies will gather. And it is of course a good chance for you if you are sourcing for a few specific products.
Feel curious about the beautiful traditional Chinese buildings in Chinese costume dramas? Heading to Hengdian, and you will get up close to them. There are about 7 main scenic zones, including Qin Imperial Palace Scenic Zone, Yangtze River Delta Watery Town Scenic Zone, Dazhi Buddhist Temple Scenic Zone, Rocky Grotto Scenic Zone, etc.
After or before the tiring explorations from one stall to another in the Yiwu market, it is a good option to do relaxing in a park or temple. Futian Wetland Park, which is only 1~2 kilometers away from Yiwu International Trade City, is the best choice. If your time allows, you can also visit Fotang Old Town, Shuanglin Temple…
Yiwu of Zhejiang Province belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate. It is generally mild and humid a year around, with an average temperature for about 17.7℃ (63.8℉). Yiwu has long summer and winter, which last for about 107 days and 119 days in separate. The hottest time usually comes in July in summer, with an average temperature of about 29.3℃. January in winter is the coldest month in Yiwu. The average temperature in this month is about 4.2℃.
The markets in Yiwu open all year around except the Chinese New Year (usually comes in late January or early February), including the weekends. Therefore, you can visit this city at any time you like if you want to buy something there. If you want to attend the international trade fairs, months from March to June and from September to December are the best choices. In April, when the Spring Canton Fair is held, it is also popular to visit Yiwu to make bulk orders. And the China Yiwu International Commodities Fair usually held in October. These months also offer the most pleasant weather for a Yiwu vacation.
Yiwu has its own airport, which is named Yiwu Airpor and has flights to/from over 10 domestic cities, including Guangzhou (2 hours), Beijing (2.5 hours), Shenzhen (2 hours), etc.
Yiwu Airport
Location: No.201, Minhang Road, Yiwu (金华市义乌市民航路201号), about 10 kilometers (20 minutes around) away from Yiwu downtown and 13 kilometers (0.5 hours around) away from Yiwu International Trade City by car.
It is very convenient to get to Yiwu by train. Yiwu Railway Station, which is a high speed train station in Yiwu, operates bullet trains to/from Shanghai (1.5~3 hours), Hangzhou (0.5~1 hours), Beijing (6.5~7 hours), Ningbo (2 hours), Changsha (4~4.5 hours), Xiamen (5 hours), etc.
Yiwu Railway Station
Location: No. 333, Beizhan Avenue, Yiwu (金华市义乌市北站大道333号), about 10 kilometers (20 minutes around) away from Yiwu downtown and 12 kilometers (0.5 hours around) away from Yiwu International Trade City by car.
You can get around Yiwu City by taxi, bus, or car.
Yiwu has a mass taxi system. You can ride a taxi to the trade markets in the city and also nearby Hengdian World Studio. However, seldom taxi drivers speak English. And during the peak seasons like Yiwu Trade Fair, it may take you lots of time to ask a taxi.
For language barrier and traffic reasons, Yiwu visitors, especially the businessman, usually book a private car service to visit the wholesale markets and other attractions in the city. The service includes not only a comfortable private car with experienced local driver but also an interpreter with you both to navigate your way around the tremendous markets and to communicate with the sellers. We China Discovery also provide such warm Yiwu Private Car Service with Professional Interpreter. If you are in need, please feel free to contact us!
Being a busy trade city, Yiwu boasts dozens of hotels to meet its buyers’ needs, including lower priced small hotels and luxury 4-satr and 5-star hotels. Most of the hotels in Yiwu are built inside or near the large markets.
Usually, hotels at Yiwu International Trade City, especially the hotels in District 2 and District 3 (there are 5 districts in total), are the best choices for those coming for trading. Best Western Premier in the District 3, Shangri-La Hotel, Sanding New Century Plaza and Yiwu Marriott Hotel near District 1 & District 2 are the best luxury hotels for your stay. Hotels near Yiwu International Expo Center, like Crowne Plaza Yiwu Expo, are the best options for the visitors to attend the Yiwu Trade Fair (usually falls in October). Besides the luxury hotels, there are also many comfortable 3-star hotels for you to choose at both Yiwu International Trade City and near Yiwu International Expo Center. Hotels near other markets in Yiwu, like Huangyuan Market, are also good.
In addition to the hotels near the markets, visitors may also choose a hotel near Hengdian World Studio in Dongyang when they plan a tour to visit it.
Check Yiwu China Map, Yiwu Zhejiang Map & Yiwu Market Map to have a better understanding about Yiwu.
If you want to keep travelling after Yiwu, there are some awesome destinations near Yiwu for your exploration. You can pay a visit to the most developed Shanghai, beautiful lakes in Hangzhou, exquisite gardens in Suzhou, stunning Yellow Mountain, and Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, etc.
China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China
Chinese Name: 义乌
Chinese Pinyin: yì wū
Population: 0.8 million
Language: Mandarin & Zhejiang Dialect
Tel Code: (+86) 0579
Zip Code: 322000
Time Zone: (UTC+8)
Buyers usually spend 1~5 days or longer to make an exploratory trip or purchasing trip to Yiwu. The time needed varies according to their requirements. About 1~2 days is recommended if you are not buyers but just want a short trip in this World's Capital of Small Commodities. Yiwu International Trade City is a must visit for all Yiwu visitors. Fotang Old Town and Futian Wetland Park are also good to kill your free time after the business.
If your time allows, you can also spend 1~3 days more to visit the "China’s Hollywood" in Hengdian. Besides, it is very popular to extend your trip to the beautiful Hangzhou or the metropolis Shanghai, etc.
No matter you are planning a tour to Yiwu for business or not, We China Discovery is always ready to help. If you travel with us, our professional Yiwu guide, who has the first-hand knowledges about Yiwu and Yiwu markets, will accompany you all the way to be your interpreter to navigate your way and perfectly send your ideas to the sellers. We also take care of everything of you, including the best market to visit, car, hotel, restaurant, etc. Feel interested? Please feel free to contact us!
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