First Time Visitor Guide to Yiwu Market
Best Time to Visit
- March – May: Spring season with new products
- September – November: Best for Christmas items
- Most suppliers available during these months
- Wider product selection and samples
- December – February: Winter season deals
- June – August: Summer discounts
- Less crowded, more attention from suppliers
- Better prices but limited new products
Daily Market Schedule
- 8:30 AM: Some shops start opening
- 9:00 – 11:30 AM: Best time for serious buyers
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Lunch break (many shops close)
- Suppliers most energetic and attentive
- 1:30 – 4:00 PM: Regular business hours
- 4:00 – 5:00 PM: Shops begin closing
- After 5:00 PM: Most shops closed
- Less crowded but suppliers may be tired
Essential Documents & Items
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Business visa (L or M type)
- Business cards (English & Chinese)
- Company registration documents (if buying bulk)
- Cash in Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Power bank & adapter
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Small backpack for samples
Essential Apps & Tools
- WeChat: Essential for supplier contact
- Google Translate: Offline Chinese pack
- Baidu Translate: Better Chinese translation
- Microsoft Translator: Good for images
- Alipay: For payments (needs Chinese bank account)
- WeChat Pay: Alternative payment method
- Didi: Chinese ride-hailing app
- Maps.me: Offline map navigation
Market Visit Planning Guide
Yiwu International Trade Market is divided into 5 districts, covering over 4 million square meters. Each district specializes in different product categories. Proper planning is essential for an efficient visit.
District Overview
- Floor 1: Jewelry, Hair Accessories
- Floor 2: Cosmetics, Beauty Tools
- Floor 3: Watches, Glasses
- Floor 4: Fashion Accessories
- Best visiting time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Floor 1: Hardware, Tools
- Floor 2: Kitchen & Bathroom Items
- Floor 3: Daily Use Products
- Floor 4: Sports & Outdoor
- Best visiting time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Floor 1: Electronics & Gadgets
- Floor 2: Phone Accessories
- Floor 3: Toys & Games
- Floor 4: Educational Products
- Best visiting time: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Recommended Routes
- Quick overview of accessories
- Collect business cards
- Take photos of interesting products
- Visit pre-selected shops
- Quick price research
- Focus on main suppliers
- Sample collection
- Price negotiations
- Order confirmation
- Morning: Complete tour of District 1
- Afternoon: Start District 2
- Focus on collecting information and samples
- Morning: Complete District 2
- Afternoon: District 3
- Start negotiations with selected suppliers
- Morning: Return to priority suppliers
- Afternoon: Complete negotiations
- Arrange shipping and payments
Pro Tips
- Use mornings for important negotiations when suppliers are fresh
- Take breaks between districts to organize information
- Keep contact with multiple suppliers for better pricing
- Take photos and notes of shop locations
- Consider hiring a local translator for better deals
Transportation Guide
We can arrange reliable airport/train station pickup service for you.
Getting to Yiwu
-
Taxi:
~50 RMB
30 minutes to city center
-
Airport Shuttle:
20 RMB
Runs every 30 minutes (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
-
Private Transfer:
200 RMB
Door-to-door service
-
Taxi:
~20 RMB
15 minutes to market
-
Public Bus:
2 RMB
Routes: 1, 2, 8, 12 (25 minutes)
-
Walking:
Free
30 minutes to market
Local Transportation
- Starting price: 8 RMB (first 3 km)
- Additional: 2 RMB/km after first 3 km
- Night surcharge: 20% (11 PM – 5 AM)
- Look for blue official taxis only
- Keep the receipt (发票 fapiao)
- Download “Didi” app
- English interface available
- Payment: WeChat, Alipay, or cash
- Usually cheaper than regular taxi
- 24/7 customer service
Public Transport Options
Bus Route | Destinations | Frequency | Operating Hours |
---|---|---|---|
Bus 1 | Train Station ↔ Market District 1 | Every 10 mins | 6:00 – 21:00 |
Bus 2 | Airport ↔ Market District 2 | Every 15 mins | 6:30 – 20:30 |
Bus 8 | City Center ↔ All Markets | Every 12 mins | 6:00 – 22:00 |
Bus 12 | Hotel Area ↔ Markets | Every 15 mins | 6:30 – 21:30 |
- Purchase at any bus station or ShiZu convenience store
- Cost: 20 RMB (including 15 RMB initial balance)
- 20% discount on bus fares
- Refundable deposit: 5 RMB
- Valid for buses and some taxis
Travel Tips
- Use official taxis or Didi only
- Keep hotel address in Chinese
- Take photo of taxi license
- Avoid unofficial “black” taxis
- Save emergency numbers
- Get a transportation card
- Use shared Didi rides
- Consider weekly bus passes
- Walk between nearby markets
- Group travel with other buyers
Accommodation Guide
Our team can assist with hotel reservations and ensure you get the best rates. We have special corporate rates with most hotels near the market.
Recommended Hotels
![Yiwu Marriott Hotel](https://www.yiwubuying.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/nw_1gD7B7pXuAU.jpg)
![Yiwu Shangri-La Hotel](https://www.yiwubuying.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/295690628.jpg)
![Ocean Hotel Yiwu](https://www.yiwubuying.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/622798096.jpg)
Accommodation Tips
- Book at least 1 month in advance during peak season
- Request market-facing rooms for better internet
- Check if breakfast and airport transfer included
- Confirm business facilities availability
- Ask about corporate rates for longer stays
- Reliable WiFi connection for business
- Proximity to the market (within 15 minutes)
- English-speaking staff availability
- Business center facilities
- Restaurant options nearby
Long-term Stay Options
- Monthly rates from ¥1000
- Fully furnished with kitchen
- Utilities included
- Weekly cleaning service
- Minimum 1-month stay required
- Significant cost savings
- More space and comfort
- Kitchen facilities available
- Special long-term guest services
- Flexible payment terms
- Airport pickup and drop-off arrangement
- Visa extension assistance
- Local mobile SIM card
- Currency exchange advice
- Restaurant recommendations and bookings
Local Services Guide
- ✓ Professional interpreters
- ✓ Document translation
- ✓ Market guide services
- ✓ Business negotiation support
- ✓ International shipping
- ✓ Customs clearance
- ✓ Package consolidation
- ✓ Door-to-door delivery
- ✓ Currency exchange
- ✓ Bank account assistance
- ✓ Payment solutions
- ✓ Transaction support
- ✓ Pre-shipment inspection
- ✓ Factory audits
- ✓ Quality control
- ✓ Product testing
- ✓ Local SIM cards
- ✓ WiFi router rental
- ✓ WeChat setup
- ✓ VPN services
- ✓ Airport transfers
- ✓ Market shuttle
- ✓ Private driver
- ✓ Factory visit transport