You may not have heard of the place, but something from China’s Yiwu International Trade Market has probably graced your residence. After all, it is the world’s largest small commodities market. Figure, aerosol cans, mirrors, toys, fake Christmas trees, and spark plugs, to name but a few examples.
Located in Eastern China, a relatively short high-speed train hop from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Wenzhou, Yiwu started its rise to trading prominence in the late 1970s. Once Mao Zedong had died, various economic reforms started to bubble up; one of those was a streetside micro-scale barter system called “chicken feather for sugar” (鸡毛换糖). When farming season was over, this trading scheme helped get many Yiwu residents through that period.
This small-time activity kept growing until 1982, when it formally became a brick-and-mortar commodities market. In 1990, Yiwu secured the title as the country’s largest, a record it maintains to this today.
According to one source, the total size of the market is nearly 69 million square feet, hosting approximately 220,000 daily visitors to its 75,000 individual vendors.
Access
From Wenzhou South high-speed rail station, I made it to Yiwu HSR station, but that’s where a little hiccup occurs.
Until the Yiwu-Jinhua (a neighboring city) metro is extended to Yiwu HSR station, it’s best to take a quick public bus to Lingyun metro station. Once there, take the metro to Yiwu International Trade Market (the station name is International Trade Centre).
Head out of the station, and you’ve made it.
For those flying in, both Yiwu airport and Hangzhou airport have bus routes to the market.
I walked into the closest market building, and started exploring…right after grabbing a bite.
Given Yiwu’s place on the world stage, uncoincidentally it is one of the most diverse cities in China. Through that smattering of languages and passports came a number of different food options. In particular, halal choices are a dime a dozen, but I also noticed one cafeteria inside of the market serving “Latin cuisine.”
It’s a bizarre catch-all, but let’s just say the choices revolved around Cuba, and northern South America.
I skipped the randomness, and went right for a bowl of mixed Chinese goop.
Following lunch, it was time to enter the plastic Gomorrah.
I didn’t have a specific goal; rather, I wanted to see as much as possible of the market without hitting the same aisle twice. Or, until I got tired. Either way.
Listening to the symphony of languages — Arabic, Russian, and Turkish were common, spotting knock-offs and Engrish, trying to decipher poker faces from both sides of the negotations…it was more fun than I had anticipated.
I’m not sure if all buyers needed a reseller’s permit — that is, to avoid paying tax upfront — since the market is all about wholesale trade. But when I did ask a couple of random stores about their products, they seemed willing to sell me goods at retail prices.
Although a trip to Yiwu might not be high on your wish list, Yiwu has been working year-after-year* on filling your stockings.
Was there in April will be back again in a few months. The amount of stuff I can’t bring back to the states 😂
It is a fun place, for people-watching and shopping!