How do you visit Yiwu market? A first-timer’s guide for buyers
Short answer: Most overseas buyers reach Yiwu by high-speed train: about 1.5–2 hours from Shanghai Hongqiao or roughly 30–50 minutes from Hangzhou East. The market opens every day, roughly 9:00 to 17:00, so start early. Plan two to three full days for a first visit, bring photos and target quantities for what you want, and write down every booth number. Arrange how the goods will be paid for, checked and shipped before you leave, because booths sell goods but usually do not handle export for you.
- From Shanghai HongqiaoHigh-speed train, about 1.5–2 hours
- From Hangzhou EastHigh-speed train, about 30–50 minutes
- Market hoursEvery day, roughly 9:00–17:00
- First visitPlan 2–3 full days
Getting to Yiwu
Yiwu is a city in Zhejiang province, south-west of Shanghai and Hangzhou. Most international visitors fly into Shanghai or Hangzhou and continue by train or car.
| From | How | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao station | High-speed train to Yiwu station | About 1.5–2 hours (fastest trains about 1 hour 20 minutes) |
| Hangzhou East station | High-speed train to Yiwu station | About 30–50 minutes |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan airport | Car or airport coach (about 120 km) | About 1.5–2 hours by road |
| Other Chinese cities | Domestic flight to Yiwu airport, or train | Depends on the route |
Timetables change, so check current trains on the official 12306 service or a booking app before you travel. Trains get busy around Chinese public holidays. From Yiwu station, a taxi or ride-hailing car to the market is the simplest option.
Check visa rules for your passport well before the trip. In recent years China has widened visa-free entry and visa-free transit for many nationalities, but eligibility depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Confirm the current rules with China’s National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy.
When to go
The market opens seven days a week and stays open through most short public holidays. The big exception is Chinese New Year, when the main districts close for about two weeks and many booths and factories stop for longer. October and November are good months: the market is fully open and there is still time to ship before the holiday. Arrive in the morning; many booth owners start packing up in the late afternoon.
How many days you need
Yiwu International Trade City is huge, with tens of thousands of booths spread over several districts, each organised by product category. Trying to see everything is not realistic. A common plan for a first visit:
- Day 1 — walk the districts that sell your main categories. Use our guide to Yiwu market districts to choose which buildings and floors to visit. Collect cards and photos from every booth that looks promising.
- Day 2 — go back to your shortlist. Compare prices, minimums and lead times, and ask about custom logos or packaging.
- Day 3 — confirm orders, pay deposits and agree how goods will be collected, checked and shipped.
If you only need one or two product types, one or two days may be enough. If you are buying many small items from many booths, plan more time.
What to bring
- Photos and specs of what you want: size, material, colour, packaging.
- Target quantities per item, so booths can quote properly. Many booths sell by the carton; see typical MOQs by category.
- A way to record booths: photograph each business card next to the product, and note the district, floor and booth number.
- A translation app on your phone. Some booth staff speak English, but many speak only basic English.
- A payment plan. Mobile payment is the norm in China. Many visitors now link an international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay; check this works for your card before you travel.
Talking to booths
At each booth, ask the same questions so you can compare later:
- Unit price, and whether it changes with quantity
- Minimum order per item and per colour
- Is it in stock, or made to order? How many days?
- Can they add a logo, label or custom packaging, and what is the minimum for that?
- How many pieces per carton, and the carton size and weight
Prices quoted on the spot are often for stock goods in carton quantities. Ask for the quote in writing (a photo of their calculator or a message in their chat app works) so there is no confusion later. Be careful with any booth that pushes you to pay a large amount immediately; our guide on avoiding scams in Yiwu lists the common warning signs.
After the visit: collecting, checking and shipping
This is the part first-time visitors often forget. Market booths sell goods, but most do not consolidate orders from other booths or handle export paperwork. Before you fly home, decide who will:
- pay suppliers in Chinese yuan and keep the receipts
- follow up on production and delivery dates
- collect goods from each booth into one warehouse
- check quality and count cartons before shipping
- book freight and prepare export documents
A local sourcing agent usually does all of this. Yiwu Buddy can also walk the market with you during your visit, translate at the booths, and take over the follow-up when you leave. Our service fee is a flat 10% on goods value only, with a US$50 minimum per sourcing order. Samples and international freight are billed at cost. We do not handle fake brands or copies of famous logos.
Can’t travel? You can still buy from Yiwu: send photos of what you need and we source it, with live video from the booths if you want to see the goods first.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to visit Yiwu market?
Two to three full days is a common plan for a first visit: one day to walk the districts for your categories, one to go back to a shortlist and compare quotes, and one to confirm orders and arrange shipping. One or two days can be enough if you only need a few product types.
How do I get to Yiwu from Shanghai?
The easiest way is the high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao station to Yiwu station, which takes about 1.5–2 hours; the fastest trains take about 1 hour 20 minutes. Check current timetables on the official 12306 service or a booking app before you travel.
Do I need a visa to visit Yiwu market?
It depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. China has widened visa-free entry and visa-free transit for many countries in recent years, but the rules differ by passport. Check with China’s National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy before you book.
Can I buy small quantities at Yiwu market?
Often yes. Many booths sell stock goods by the carton, and some will sell less, especially if you mix items. Custom logos and packaging usually need larger quantities. See typical MOQs at Yiwu market for common ranges by category.
Do Yiwu market suppliers speak English?
Some booth staff speak English, but many only speak basic English or none. A translation app helps for simple questions. For price negotiation, custom orders and follow-up, buyers often work with a local agent who speaks Chinese.
Can I ship goods home myself after visiting Yiwu?
Booths sell goods but most do not consolidate orders from other suppliers or handle export. You need someone to collect goods from each booth, check them, pack them into one shipment and book freight. A sourcing agent or freight forwarder in Yiwu usually does this.