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

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.
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