The Yiwu International Trade Market in East China's Zhejiang Province Photo: VCG

Yiwu, a small city in East China's Zhejiang Province, is internationally renowned as "the world's capital of small commodities," attracting tens of thousands of tourists and businessmen from China and abroad every year. 

As a city with a rich history of commerce, Yiwu's markets are not only vast in size, but also offer an incredibly diverse array of products, providing buyers with virtually everything one can imagine. 

However, aside from commercial activities, the city's culture, history, and the lifestyle of its residents are equally fascinating. In recent years, Yiwu has also become a popular destination among younger tourists. 

Visitors to Yiwu can marvel at the immense scale of the Yiwu International Trade market, enjoy a variety of activities, and savor authentic cuisines of different countries, thanks to the city's foreign community. Additionally, the Hengdian World Studios, often referred to as China's Hollywood, and just a half-hour drive from Yiwu, can enrich their travel experience even further.

A shop employee arranges toys in the store in Yiwu. Photo: VCG

Vast trade market

The most eye-catching sight in Yiwu is the international trade market a commercial hub supplying the world with small commodities. 

A well-known urban myth suggests that if you spent one minute at each shop, it would take three months to visit the entire market. 

Its immense size and vast selection of products make it an unconventional tourist destination, offering a glimpse into the bustling manufacturing sector that supplies markets around the globe. 

Currently, the market is divided into five zones: Zone 1 for toys, gifts, and household items; Zone 2 for hardware and electrical products; Zone 3 specializes in jewelry, accessories, and bags; Zone 4 supplies hats, socks, and sportswear; Zone 5 offers daily necessities, household items, and goods imported from abroad. 

Each zone sprawls across Yiwu like a giant dragon. However, walking from Zone 1 to Zone 5, is a 3-kilometer journey and visitors may need to hail a taxi or take a bus to travel. 

While you can explore each zone, most vendors do not offer retail services. If you find a toy or accessory you like, it might be difficult to purchase it directly. However, there are exceptions, such as the first floor of Zone 1 where many vendors retail toys and the second floor of Zone 4, where you can find fashionable, high-quality baseball caps for as little as $2. 

In reality, people come here primarily for the awe-inspiring display of materialism. Additionally, the unique experience of sensing global unity in shops that sell magnets from scenic spots worldwide and religious items from various faiths is truly remarkable.

World cuisines

As a global trading hub, Yiwu is home to more than 12,000 permanent foreign merchants from five continents. 

These foreign businessmen have integrated very well into this small city. They shop, seek medical care, take public transport, and engage in local social activities such as card games. 

The popular local cuisines are also very diverse, with options ranging from Indian, Italian, and Turkish diners, to Pakistani, Yemeni, Egyptian, and Iraqi restaurants. 

Delicious Italian pasta, Indian curry, Arabic kebabs, crepes drenched in chocolate sauce, and the fragrant aroma of local Zhejiang cuisine mingle together here. 

In addition to the bustling market scene, Yiwu boasts a renowned milk shake chain named Lei Feng Juice. Actually established from Egypt, it crafts delectable milk shakes using dates and avocados, offering a distinctive flavor that is a must-try in Yiwu. 

Navigating menus filled with unfamiliar food and foreign words can be intimidating for many Chinese tourists. Conversely, for foreign businessmen or tourists, discovering authentic hometown dishes thousands of kilometers away from home in Yiwu is an unparalleled experience.

Visitors at the Hengdian World Studios on April 13 Photo: VCG

China's Hollywood

Hengdian World Studios, located in Dongyang, which is now connected to Yiwu by light rail, makesanother highlight of a trip to Yiwu. 

It only takes a half-hour drive from Yiwu International Trade market to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Palace stations at Hengdian World Studios. 

The studio boasts more than 100 filming sets and over 2,000 filming locations recreating ancient, period, and modern themes, primarily consisting of Guangzhou Street, Hong Kong Street, the Palace of Emperor Qin, and a theme park based on famous Song Dynasty (960-1279) painting Along the River during the Qingming Festival, and parks Ming and Qing Palatial Garden, the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) and Dream Valley. 

Besides serving film crews, Hengdian World Studios is also a national 5A-level tourist spot, with several parks open to tourists. Here, visitors can instantly travel back in time and feel like they can become part of ancient life or witness the royal palace intrigues. 

In 2023, Hengdian World Studios welcomed 19.8 million visitors and hosted 489 production teams, setting new historical records.