Where Is Yiwu?

Nestled in Zhejiang Province—China’s manufacturing heartland—Yiwu punches far above its weight. While it may not have Shanghai’s skyline, this compact city moves $65 billion annually in small commodities, supplying:

• Over 180 countries
• Amazon FBA sellers
• Dollar store chains
• E-commerce dropshippers

Here’s what most buyers miss: Yiwu isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a plug-and-play sourcing ecosystem where you can:

• Touch 10,000+ products in one day at the International Trade City
• Negotiate factory-to-you prices with minimal MOQs
• Ship globally through Yiwu’s dedicated export corridors

 

Where Is Yiwu Located?

Yiwu is situated in central Zhejiang Province, about 300 kilometers southwest of Shanghai and 150 kilometers from Hangzhou. Administratively, it is part of Jinhua City, but it operates as a county-level city with a global reputation far beyond its size.

Yiwu is well-connected by rail and road. The Yiwu Railway Station provides high-speed train access to major cities, and the Yiwu Airport offers flights to domestic and limited international destinations. Thanks to its strategic location, Yiwu China is a critical hub in the China-Europe Railway Express, providing convenient and cost-effective shipping options to Europe.

 

How to Go to Yiwu?

By Air

• Yiwu Airport (YIW): Yiwu has its own airport with domestic flights from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. It is about 5 km from Yiwu Railway Station and 10 km from downtown Yiwu.
• Neighboring International Airports:

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH): About 130 km from Yiwu. You can take a high-speed train or a car from there to Yiwu.
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): Approximately 300 km from Yiwu. You can also take a high-speed train or a private car.

 

By Train

Yiwu Railway Station is a major stop on the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway line. It is about 10 km from downtown Yiwu and 5 km from Yiwu Airport. Some approximate travel times by high-speed train are:

• Shanghai to Yiwu: ~1.5 hours
• Hangzhou to Yiwu: ~40 minutes
• Guangzhou to Yiwu: ~6 hours
• Beijing to Yiwu: ~6 hours

You can book train tickets through China Railway’s official website, third-party platforms like Trip.com, at railway stations across China, or through travel agencies or hotels.

 

By Bus

Long-distance buses are available from nearby cities, but this option is not highly recommended due to longer travel times. For example:

• Hangzhou to Yiwu: ~2 hours
• Shanghai to Yiwu: ~4 hours
• Guangzhou to Yiwu: ~14-16 hours

 

By Car

If you prefer flexibility, you can rent a car or have a Yiwu market agent arrange a pick-up. Major highways connecting to Yiwu include:

• G60 Expressway: Connects Shanghai to Yiwu
• G25 Expressway: Links Hangzhou to Yiwu

 

From Hong Kong

• By Air: There are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Yiwu in the first half of each year. You can fly to Hangzhou and then take a bus or train to Yiwu.
• By Train: Take a high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Hangzhou or Shanghai, and then transfer to Yiwu.
• By Bus: Long-distance buses are available, but the journey can take 12-14 hours.

 

 

Why Is Yiwu World-Famous?

Yiwu is often dubbed the "World's Supermarket" due to its sprawling network of wholesale markets, which specialize in small commodities such as toys, stationery, home goods, jewelry, and more. The city's reputation stems from:

• Hosting the largest wholesale market in the world
• Serving over 1.8 million product types
• Attracting over 500,000 foreign buyers annually
• Having a strong presence in cross-border e-commerce

The rise of Yiwu has been supported by China's Belt and Road Initiative, making it a focal point for international trade and cooperation, particularly for developing countries and entrepreneurs launching product-based businesses.

 

Yiwu International Trade City: The Core of Global Sourcing

The crown jewel of Yiwu’s success is the Yiwu International Trade City—a massive complex often referred to as the Yiwu wholesale market. It’s not just one building but an entire district divided into five main zones, each covering different categories of products.

Key Features of the Yiwu Market:

• Over 75,000 booths operated by verified Yiwu suppliers and manufacturers
• Covers more than 5.5 million square meters
• Open 300+ days a year
• On-site logistics, customs services, translation, and accommodation

 

District Breakdown:

• District 1: Jewelry, toys, accessories
• District 2: Hardware, tools, household items
• District 3: Office supplies, cosmetics, sporting goods
• District 4: Textiles, footwear, auto accessories
• District 5: Imported goods, food & beverages

This expansive trade complex is the backbone of the Yiwu small commodity market, which supplies goods to more than 200 countries.

 

Yiwu vs. Other Chinese Sourcing Cities

While China offers several sourcing destinations—like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Foshan—Yiwu stands out due to:

City	Specialization	MOQ	Language Barriers	Ideal For
Yiwu	Small commodities, low-cost daily goods	Low	Minimal (many speak English)	New businesses, e-commerce
Guangzhou	Fashion, apparel, textiles	Medium	Medium	Fashion brands, OEM
Shenzhen	Electronics, gadgets	High	High	High-tech sourcing
Foshan	Furniture, building materials	High	High	Real estate, B2B wholesalers

Yiwu remains the best choice for low MOQ sourcing, diverse product variety, and rapid turnaround, especially for e-commerce or small retailers looking to scale.

 

Yiwu Wholesale Products: A Goldmine for Online Sellers

Whether you’re a startup brand or a large-scale distributor, Yiwu wholesale products cover an enormous range of categories at competitive prices. Especially for cross-border e-commerce sellers on platforms like:

• Amazon FBA: Yiwu offers barcode labeling, bundling, and direct-to-warehouse shipping
• eBay: A variety of seasonal and niche products perfect for flash sales
• Shopify/Dropshipping: Many suppliers are willing to ship in plain packaging
• TikTok Shop/Temu: Trendy, low-cost items are abundant

 

Yiwu is ideal for product testing and fast market validation, making it a hotspot for entrepreneurs scaling their online stores.

 

Working With a Yiwu Sourcing Agent

Navigating thousands of booths, negotiating in Chinese, and arranging shipping can be overwhelming. This is where a Yiwu sourcing agent becomes essential. A good agent provides:

• Supplier selection and verification
• Price negotiation
• Sample coordination and quality control
• Logistics support and export documentation
• Warehouse consolidation and repackaging

 

If you're new to Yiwu or don’t have a local team, partnering with a sourcing agent like Market Union ensures efficiency, safety, and access to hidden gems within the Yiwu commodity market.

 

Yiwu Export Services and Shipping Solutions

Yiwu has a mature export service ecosystem. Many Yiwu manufacturers are export-ready, and the city provides seamless support from purchase to international delivery.

Export Services Include:

• Customs clearance and product compliance
• CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine)
• Export certifications (CE, RoHS, etc.)
• Freight forwarding for air, sea, and rail
• Yiwu to Europe shipping via the Yiwu–Madrid railway

 

The railway connection to Europe is especially popular among B2B clients, cutting costs and time for bulk shipments. For smaller shipments, Yiwu offers ePacket and other postal services.

 

Trade Fairs and Business Opportunities in Yiwu

Yiwu is not just about daily trade—it also hosts significant industry events. The Yiwu Fair (China Yiwu International Commodities Fair) is held every October and is one of China’s most influential export-oriented exhibitions.

Other niche trade events include:

• Yiwu Jewelry Fair
• Yiwu Stationery & Gifts Expo
• Yiwu International Textile Fair

Attending these fairs is an excellent opportunity to discover new Yiwu suppliers, negotiate directly, and understand upcoming product trends.

 

Yiwu and the Rise of E-commerce

Yiwu has become a magnet for e-commerce sellers, thanks to its:

• Integrated supply chain (from manufacturing to delivery)
• Flexible production for small orders and seasonal goods
• Cross-border fulfillment centers
• Integration with platforms like Alibaba, AliExpress, and 1688

 

What makes Yiwu special is the ability to support micro businesses and large-scale B2C brands alike. Whether you're fulfilling one order or 10,000 units, there's a solution in Yiwu.

 

Things to Do in Yiwu: Beyond Business

Despite being a trade hub, Yiwu Zhejiang has a lot to offer for leisure and culture.

Top Yiwu Attractions:

• Yiwu Museum – Learn about the city’s trade history
• Yiwu Xiuhu Park – A scenic area in the city center
• Fotang Ancient Town – For a glimpse of traditional Chinese architecture
• Yiwu International Expo Center – Hosts global exhibitions and events

Dining in Yiwu:

You can find everything from local Zhejiang cuisine to international food. Turkish, Indian, Italian, and Halal food options are common due to the large foreign trader population.

Travel and Visa Tips:

• Yiwu supports business visas, trade invitations, and even port visas
• Nearby airports: Yiwu Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, or Shanghai Pudong
• Most hotels provide English-speaking concierge and airport pickup

Yiwu Night Market:

After sunset, explore the Yiwu night market, where you can enjoy street food, handmade crafts, and a mix of local and imported goods.

 

Yiwu Shopping Guide: Tips for First-Time Buyers

Prepare your product list by category and price target

Bring a translator app or interpreter

Wear comfortable shoes—the market is vast

Be patient—negotiation is expected

Ask about sample availability

Avoid peak exhibition times if you're not attending the fair

 

Why Yiwu Belongs on Your Sourcing Shortlist

Forget ordinary wholesale markets—Yiwu is where global trade actually happens. Imagine a single city offering:

• 2.6 million SKUs across every imaginable category
• Factory-direct pricing with no middlemen
• One-stop logistics linking China to your doorstep

This isn’t just sourcing—it’s a competitive edge. While others overpay for repackaged goods, smart buyers leverage Yiwu’s ecosystem to:

• Slash product costs by 30-50%
• Discover trending items before competitors
• Build scalable supply chains with vetted suppliers

The question isn’t why Yiwu—it’s how soon can you get here?

 

Ready to Start Sourcing from Yiwu?

If you're planning a sourcing trip to Yiwu or want to explore business opportunities remotely, partnering with an experienced Yiwu sourcing agent can make all the difference. We help international clients connect with verified Yiwu suppliers, navigate the Yiwu wholesale market, manage inspections, and handle Yiwu to Europe shipping, customs clearance, and more.

Let us help you turn ideas into real products from the world’s most vibrant trade hub. Contact us today to begin your Yiwu journey.