Ever heard of Yiwu? It's basically a massive shopping city in China where you can find pretty much anything you want to buy. There are 75,000+ shops selling everything from phone cases to Christmas decorations at super low prices (often 30-70% lower than retail). This is where store owners from all over the world come to buy their stuff, and you can too!
But here's what most people don't know - between bargain hunting, you can hike up Longshan Mountain for amazing views, grab incredible street food by the river at night, or join locals for morning tai chi at Xiuhu Park. Yiwu's definitely worth checking out!
Getting To & Around Yiwu
Let me break down how to get to Yiwu and zip around once you're here. The local Yiwu Airport (YIW) is tiny but handy - just 8km from downtown, about 20 mins by taxi (¥50/$7) or the cheap airport bus (¥15/$2). You can fly direct from places like Seoul and Bangkok, but most people fly into Shanghai and hop on a bullet train. The train's actually pretty sweet - 2 hours flat, runs every hour from 7am to 7pm, and costs around ¥200-280($28-39).
Yiwu Airport in Yiwu looks spacious in an off-season
Got an early morning flight or arriving late at night? Staying near the Yiwu airport with a shuttle service makes things much easier!
| Hotel Name | Distance from Phuket International Airport | Service Info |
| Perennial Resort | 5 minutes by car | Free airport pick-up; Free airport drop-off; Outdoor swimming pool; Playground; Bar; Restaurant |
| Wyndham Garden Naithon Beach | 10 minutes by car | Airport pick-up (additional charge); Airport drop-off (additional charge); Gym; Kids’ club; Car rentals |
See BEST hotels in Yiwu to find the best for your stay.
Getting around is way easier than I expected. Regular taxis are everywhere and start at ¥8($1.10). I mostly use DiDi (it's like Chinese Uber) because it's cheaper and the app works in English. Free shuttle buses run between all the markets from morning till 5:30 PM. For reference, a taxi from Binwang Market to Futian Market (about 3.5km) usually costs ¥15($2).
Best Areas to Stay in Yiwu
Binwang Area This is where I usually stay - it's 4km from city center. Binwang Market's right there, Futian Market is 3.5km away (free shuttles every 15 mins), and you've got food everywhere. Airport's just 6km away (¥40/~$6 taxi), and there's a huge mall nearby when you need a shopping break.
Futian Market Area The real business hub, 5km from city center. Everything revolves around the massive Futian Market here. Train station's 2km away (¥12/~$2 taxi), and the night food streets here are amazing. All market shuttles stop here - I usually grab breakfast and catch the free bus to wherever I need to go.
City Center (Choucheng Street) Right in the middle of everything, with Guyue Bridge Food Street just 1km away (my favorite spot for dinner). Markets are a bit further - Futian is 5km and Binwang 4km - but taxis are cheap (¥15-20/~$2-3), and the evening walks along Yiwu River are perfect after a day of shopping.
Things to Do in Yiwu: Shopping & Sightseeing Guide
You can find everything from toys to textiles in the massive Futian and Binwang markets, plus explore peaceful spots like Longshan Temple between shopping trips.
- Futian Market (International Trade City) This is the mother of all wholesale markets in Yiwu - 4 million square meters split into 5 massive districts. Each district specializes in different stuff: from toys and electronics in District 1, to jewelry and watches in District 2, crafts in District 3, sports gear in District 4, and textiles in District 5. Opens 9am-5pm daily, and you'll definitely need the free shuttle between districts. I spent three days here last month and still didn't see everything - but found amazing deals on electronics and got some great Christmas gifts for the whole family.
- Binwang Market This is best for fashion stuff - 3 floors packed with clothing, bags, and shoes. It's smaller than Futian (about 300,000 square meters) but way easier to get around. First floor is mostly shoes and bags, second floor is women's clothing, third floor is men's wear. Prices are super reasonable - I got winter jackets for ¥45-80(~$6-11) each. Opens 8:30am-4:30pm.
- Yiwu River Night Walk & Food Street This is my favorite evening spot! The 2km riverside walk along Guyue Bridge is beautiful after sunset - all lit up with locals doing their evening exercises. But the real star is the food street right next to it. I always hit up the BBQ skewer stands (¥2-5/~$0.30-0.70 each) and try whatever seasonal fruits the vendors are selling. Last time I was there, I found this amazing shop selling fresh rice noodles (¥12/~$1.70) - just look for the long queue of locals!
- Longshan Scenic Area Need a break from the markets? Longshan is this beautiful mountain area just 15km from downtown (¥50/~$7 taxi ride). For just ¥30(~$4) entry, you get to explore an ancient Buddhist temple, ring a massive good-luck bell, and enjoy the best views over Yiwu city. The climb takes about 40 minutes, but there's a peaceful tea garden halfway up where monks serve amazing local green tea (¥20/~$3).
Longshan Scenic Area
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