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Yiwu Guide

Xiao 2025-06-05

City Overview


Yiwu, located in central Zhejiang Province, China, is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Jinhua. Despite its administrative rank, Yiwu has earned global recognition as the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities and is often referred to as “The World's Supermarket.”


  • Area: 1,105 km²

  • Population: Around 2 million (including 15,000 resident foreign traders)

  • Key Industries: Small commodity manufacturing, wholesale trade, cross-border e-commerce

  • Languages: Mandarin is widely spoken, but in the markets you'll hear Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and over 20 other languages.



Economic Miracle: From "Trading Feathers for Sugar" to Global Trade


  1. Historical Background


    Yiwu's entrepreneurial spirit dates back to the Ming Dynasty with the tradition of hawkers exchanging feathers for sugar. After China's reform and opening-up, the local government pioneered a "sector-based market" model and established the Yiwu Small Commodities Market in 1982. It has since grown into the Yiwu International Trade City, hosting 75,000 booths and 210,000 suppliers.


  2. Key Facts



  • Daily Foot Traffic: 210,000 visitors

  • Product Range: 2.1 million items (from buttons to drone parts)

  • Annual Turnover: Top of China's specialized markets for over 30 consecutive years

  • Export Ratio: 65% of goods exported to the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America


Belt and Road Hub
The Yiwu-Madrid Railway stretches 13,052 km across Eurasia, linking Yiwu directly with countries such as Spain and Russia.



Urban Character: A Unique Blend of Business and Culture


Must-Visit Landmarks



  • Yiwu International Trade City: Divided into five zones. Zone 1 (toys/accessories) and Zone 5 (imported goods) are highlights.

  • Santing Road Night Market: A late-night hotspot for global street food like Turkish kebabs and Yemeni honey.

  • Fotang Ancient Town: 300-year-old Anhui-style architecture with a rich merchant heritage.


Cultural Fusion



  • Chouzhou North Road: A multicultural street filled with Arabic restaurants, Persian carpet shops, and Eastern European wine dealers.

  • Expos: Yiwu hosts the Imported Commodities Fair (June) and Yiwu Small Commodities Fair (November) every year.



Must-Do Experiences: A Fusion of Trade & Culture


1. Trade-Focused Adventures – A Paradise for Global Buyers


Yiwu International Trade City (5 zones, 1 week to explore!)

  • Zone 1: Toys & accessories (Fun fact: 80% of the world's Christmas goods are from here)

  • Zone 2: Hardware & appliances (mini fans, LED lighting)

  • Zone 5: Imported goods (Russian chocolate, Iranian saffron)
          Tips:

  • Wear comfortable shoes – walking through shops can easily hit 20,000 steps

  • Look for "Sample" signs to find retail-friendly vendors



Cultural Day Trips – Multinational Flavors in One City


International Cuisine Tour


  • Beyti Restaurant: Turkish grilled meat & tandoor bread

  • Sulaiman Middle Eastern Restaurant: Yemeni honey-roasted fish

  • Chouzhou North Road: A whole street of Arabic hookah bars and Persian carpet shops


Instagram-Worthy Spots


  • Jiming Pavilion: Tang-style tower with panoramic views of Yiwu at night

  • Fotang Ancient Town: 300-year-old homes + modern cultural cafés


Unique Markets


  • Santing Road Night Market: Evening-only market with foreign overstock treasures

  • Jiangdong Freight Market: Watch Yiwu's logistics in action (order today, ship to Dubai tomorrow)



In-Depth Travel Suggestions


Business Route


Day 1: Product sourcing at Trade City → Visit top-tier e-commerce warehouses
Day 2: Meet freight forwarders → Learn Yiwu-Madrid freight rail process



Family Fun Route


Day 1: Kids toy district → Yiwu Amusement Park (Ferris wheel for city views)
Day 2: Handmade brown sugar twists at Fotang → Jiming Pavilion nightscape




Practical Information


  • Language: Most vendors understand basic English and Arabic numerals

  • Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay accepted; some traders take USD cash




Why Is Yiwu Considered China's Most Globalized City?


In Yiwu, you might:


  • Enjoy Arabic coffee with a Syrian merchant in the morning

  • Source 100,000 Christmas stockings for a South African client in the afternoon

  • Hear Russian bargaining at the night market



Living in Yiwu as a Foreigner: From Settling Down to Running a Business


Yiwu attracts over 15,000 resident traders from 100+ countries. Here's a practical guide for foreigners living and doing business here.


1. Housing & Communities


Popular Residential Areas

  • Chouzhou North Road

    • Highlights: Middle Eastern community, Arabic       restaurants, mosques, currency exchanges

    • Recommended:

      • Jinfuyuan International Plaza (high-end        apartments near Trade City)

      • Beicun Village: Budget-friendly, ideal        for startup traders

  • Jiangdong Subdistrict

    • Highlights: Popular with African and South       American traders, many logistics companies

    • Recommended:

      • Jiangdong Area 4: Near freight market

      • Qingkou: Hub for e-commerce workers

  • Around the International Trade City

    • Highlights: Great for short stays

    • Recommended serviced apartments:

      • Shangri-La Yiwu (luxury)

      • Yindu Hotel (affordable with good        amenities)



Rental Tips (2024 Estimates)


  • Studio apartment: ¥2,500 – ¥4,500/month

  • 3-bedroom unit: ¥5,000 – ¥8,000/month

  • Premium complexes (e.g. Jinfuyuan): ¥10,000+/month


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