Yiwu is a mid-sized city in Zhejiang province, with a population of about 700,000. The city  was originally founded around 222 BC, during the Qin Dynasty. Though it is not a big town by Chinese standards, it is disproportionately influential and powerful in China in terms of comprehensive economic strength, due to its status as one of the largest commodity centers in the country. A poster city for China's market economy, Yiwu produces a huge variety of cheap, good quality products that end up all over China and the world. There are always a lot of foreigners in Yiwu, usually visiting, or on short-term stays, doing business with the multitudes of manufacturers and wholesale markets. It has facilities that cater to the expat market, like an international school, which is unusual for smaller centers in China.
Shopping in Yiwu is interesting. Just about any commodity you could possibly ever want to buy is available here, at one market or another, with massive discounts available if you buy in bulk. There are a number of local products from the region as well, including sweet dates and organic mountain teas. Odds are that if you are posted to Yiwu, it will be for some kind of business related to commodity trading, so you will get to know at least some of the markets well, and learn how to bargain – an essential skill here.
 Yiwu cuisine is good, as there is a huge variety of food from around China and the world, as a result of all the visitors to the city. The local cuisine takes full advantage of fresh produce and seafood, creating a fresh and sweet style of cooking, lighter and more refreshing than some other Chinese styles. Snack food is a favorite here, with an entire market dedicated to serving snacks from different regions in China. Great local snacks can make a good, cheap meal.
A relatively rainy city, Yiwu is humid (annual average of 76 percent relative humidity), but with a bearable average temperature of about 17C.
For some more information about Zhejiang and Yiwu, check out Zhejiang Online at:
http://english.zjol.com.cn
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| Situated in the middle of east China’s Zhejiang Province, the bustling city of Yiwu is home to a population of about 360,000 people. Local industry is based around textiles, ornaments, toys and cultural products. Best known as the “Small Commodities Capital of the World”, Yiwu is a paradise for shoppers. Whether you’re after a bargain price hairdryer for personal use or a container load for export you’ll find almost every product imaginable in the city’s massive markets... |
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