Main routes into Yiwu
| From | Best option | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Metro or taxi to Shanghai Hongqiao station, then high-speed train to Yiwu | Train roughly 1.5–2 h (visitors: about 2 h out, 1 h 40 back); weekend and holiday tickets sell out — book early | Frequent departures; Hongqiao is next to SHA airport, far from PVG |
   | High-speed train from Hangzhou East or Hangzhou West to Yiwu; or the airport coach | Train roughly 40–70 min (visitors report 40 min from Hangzhou West); coach ¥72, about 2 h to the Yiwu market bus centre | Closest major international airport to Yiwu |
| Guangzhou (CAN) | Fly to Yiwu (YIW) or Hangzhou; high-speed train from Guangzhou South is a long day | Flight ~2 h; train roughly 6–7 h | Direct flights save most of a day |
 | Domestic and some international routes | — | See the airport to market page for arrival |
Times are approximate ranges from public timetables; always check 12306 or Trip.com for the current schedule.
Buying high-speed train tickets with a foreign passport
- Book on Trip.com or the 12306 app/website
Both accept foreign passports and international cards; 12306 has an English interface.
- Enter your passport number exactly
The passport is your ticket; no paper ticket needed.
- At the station, use the staffed gate
Foreign passports are checked manually at the manned lane, not the ID-card gates.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early
Security and finding the waiting hall take time in big stations.
Pudong or Hongqiao, then the high-speed train
Landing at Hongqiao (SHA): the easy case. Shanghai Hongqiao railway station is part of the same transport hub as the airport terminal; follow the railway signs, collect nothing (your passport is the ticket) and go through security to the departure hall.
Landing at Pudong (PVG): most long-haul flights from the Gulf and South Asia arrive here, on the far side of the city. Metro Line 2 links Pudong and Hongqiao; a taxi is faster with luggage. Allow at least two hours between landing and your train — immigration, baggage and the cross-city transfer all take time — and book a later train rather than a tight one.
The train: high-speed services from Hongqiao to Yiwu take roughly 1.5–2 hours; one visitor timed about 2 hours out and 1 hour 40 back. Weekend and holiday trains sell out, so book as soon as your flight is fixed. You arrive at Yiwu Railway Station (义乌站), about 10.6 km by road from the market.
The train from the city, or the coach straight from the airport
| Option | From | Time | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | Hangzhou East or Hangzhou West station | roughly 40–70 min (a visitor timed 40 min from Hangzhou West) | shown on 12306 / Trip.com at booking | Travellers already in Hangzhou city |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) | about 120 min, non-stop | ¥72 | Landing at HGH with luggage — no transfer to a railway station |
Coach: to/from the Yiwu International Trade City passenger transport centre (商贸城客运中心). Departures from Yiwu 05:20–19:20 (20 a day); from the airport 09:00–20:30 (12 a day); enquiries 0579-89056035. Source: operator timetable reprinted by Jinhua Bendibao (dated 2024-03-28), read 2026-09-22 — timetables change by season, so call or check at the airport coach desk.
The shortest last mile
Yiwu’s own airport has domestic flights and some international routes, and it is the quickest arrival if a route fits your trip: the market is about 30 minutes away by taxi. The cheapest option is airport bus Y102, which the airport lists at ¥1.5, running roughly every 15–20 minutes between about 06:00 and 17:30 and stopping at the International Trade City and the Binwang trade district; the airport’s page notes coin payment with no change given. Source: Zhejiang Airports — Yiwu Airport, read 2026-09-22. Taxi benchmarks, the driver card and the metro option are on Airport → market.
From Guangzhou and southern China
Many traders combine Yiwu with Guangzhou. The high-speed train from Guangzhou South takes roughly 6–7 hours — comfortable, but most of a day. A flight of about 2 hours to Yiwu (YIW) or Hangzhou (HGH) saves that day; compare the total door-to-door time, including getting to and from the airports, before you choose. If you do take the train, book a seat well in advance and treat it as a rest day.
Halal food and prayer on the way
- Food: treat train trolley meals and station fast food as not halal unless a 清真 sign says otherwise. Big stations often have a Lanzhou-style noodle counter — apply the 30-second Lanzhou check — but the simplest plan is to carry bread, fruit and nuts for the journey.
- Prayer: Chinese railway stations and trains have no prayer rooms that we know of. A compass app and a small mat let you pray in a quiet corner of the waiting hall; many travellers combine prayers on a travel day. Yiwu’s prayer times and the mosque’s location are on the Yiwu Mosque page.
- Ramadan travel: if you arrive around iftar, see Ramadan in Yiwu for where to break the fast near the station and the market.
When you arrive in Yiwu
From Yiwu Railway Station you have four ways to the market: the metro (the station stop opened on 1 July 2026; ride to the stop named International Trade City, ¥2 for the first 8 km), free market shuttle buses, city bus 801, or a taxi — ~¥34–60 estimated on the official meter formula, with one visitor reporting ¥58.7. Step-by-step: Railway Station → Trade City. Visa, SIM and payment setup before you fly: First-Timer Kit. Where to sleep near your market district: Where to stay in Yiwu.
Have your Chinese destination ready
Use the station and airport driver cards above. If you need help explaining your arrival time or destination to a hotel in Chinese, send the place name and your question. This is a communication enquiry; transport and tickets are booked separately. Availability and any fee are agreed before the task begins.
Landed?
Airport and railway station guides with taxi benchmarks and driver cards.
Questions visitors ask
Where is Yiwu?
In Zhejiang province, eastern China, roughly 300 km south-west of Shanghai and about an hour from Hangzhou by high-speed rail. More in Where is Yiwu?.
Which airport is nearest to Yiwu?
Yiwu's own airport (YIW) for domestic and some international flights; Hangzhou (HGH) is the nearest major international hub, about an hour away by train.
How long is the train from Shanghai to Yiwu?
Roughly 1.5–2 hours from Shanghai Hongqiao, depending on the service; check the current timetable.
Can foreigners buy train tickets online?
Yes, on 12306 (English interface) or Trip.com with a passport number; the passport is checked at a staffed gate at the station.
Is there a bus from Hangzhou airport to Yiwu?
Yes. A coach runs between Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport and the Yiwu International Trade City passenger transport centre for ¥72, taking about two hours; the published timetable (2024) lists airport departures from 09:00 to 20:30. Check the current times at the airport coach desk.
Should I fly into Shanghai or Hangzhou for Yiwu?
Hangzhou is closer: about an hour by train, or a two-hour coach straight from the airport. Shanghai has more international flights; from Hongqiao the train takes 1.5–2 hours, but from Pudong add a cross-city transfer. Pick the one with the better flight, then plan the last leg.
How do I get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Yiwu?
Transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao railway station (Metro Line 2 or a taxi), then take a high-speed train to Yiwu. Leave at least two hours between landing and the train.
What is the last coach from Hangzhou airport to Yiwu?
The published timetable (dated 2024) lists the last airport departure at 20:30. Timetables change by season, so if you land late, plan on the train from Hangzhou East or a hotel night in Hangzhou.