A city of global commerce and cinematic dreams, home to the world largest wholesale market in Yiwu and Asia largest film studio in Hengdian.
Jinhua sits in the heart of Zhejiang Province, a city whose influence extends far beyond its modest size. It administers the global trading hub of Yiwu, the film industry powerhouse of Hengdian, and the manufacturing centers of Yongkang and Dongyang. This makes Jinhua one of the most economically diverse and dynamic prefecture-level cities in China.
For travelers, Jinhua offers an unusual range of experiences. You can spend a morning navigating the endless aisles of Yiwu International Trade City, an afternoon watching a historical drama being filmed on a Ming dynasty street set in Hengdian, and an evening dining on Jinhua Ham in a classical garden. The city is also the gateway to the Wuyi tea mountains and the scenic landscapes of Pujiang and Pan an counties.
Jinhua has over 2,200 years of recorded history, dating back to the Qin dynasty when it was established as a county. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it became an important administrative and cultural center in the Zhejiang region. The Song dynasty was a golden age for Jinhua, when the city became famous for its ham production, tea culture, and the rise of neo-Confucian scholarship.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jinhua continued as a commercial hub for agricultural products and handicrafts. Yiwu, historically a poor farming county, began developing its small commodity trading culture in the late 1970s, when local farmers started setting up street stalls. This grassroots commerce eventually grew into the Yiwu International Trade City, which opened in its first iteration in 1982 and has expanded continuously since. Hengdian, once a small town, transformed after 1996 when the Hengdian Group invested in film studio construction, creating what is now Asia largest film production base.
Jinhua economy is built on three distinctive pillars: global small commodities trade, film production, and traditional manufacturing. The engine room is Yiwu, whose International Trade City is the world largest wholesale market for small commodities. Spanning 7 million square meters with over 75,000 booths across five zones, it handles an estimated 60 percent of the world Christmas decorations, 40 percent of its socks, and vast quantities of toys, hardware, stationery, jewelry, and household goods. Yiwu China Commodity City Group reported annual turnover exceeding ¥200 billion.
Hengdian World Studios is the second pillar. Operated by the Hengdian Group, it covers over 300 hectares and produces tens of thousands of film and TV episodes annually. The studio employs hundreds of thousands of extras, actors, crew, and support staff, making film production a major industry in its own right. Yongkang, another county-level city under Jinhua, is China largest hardware production center, specializing in power tools, doors, and kitchenware.
E-commerce is the third and fastest-growing pillar. Yiwu merchants were early adopters of Alibaba and cross-border e-commerce platforms, and the city now handles enormous volumes of online orders for global markets. Jinhua overall GDP reached ¥620 billion in 2024, with Yiwu contributing a significant share.
Discover the culinary treasures of Jinhua, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Yiwu Airport (YIW) serves the region with domestic flights to major Chinese cities. For international travelers, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) is about 1.5 hours by high-speed rail.
Jinhua is a major stop on the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway. Direct trains to Shanghai (90 min), Hangzhou (45 min), and many other cities.
Metro system is under planning. Public transportation relies on buses and taxis. Yiwu and Jinhua city centers are connected by intercity rail.
Mar - May
Mild temperatures and blooming flowers make this ideal for tea plantation visits, ancient town walks, and hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Jun - Aug
Hot and humid with higher rainfall. The Double Dragon Cave offers a cool escape, and indoor market shopping is comfortable.
Sep - Nov
Crisp air and clear skies with comfortable temperatures. The best season for outdoor activities and photography.
Dec - Feb
Cold but dry, with occasional light snow. Good for indoor activities like market tours, film studio visits, and hot pot dining.
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