Nestled in East China's Zhejiang province, Yiwu city stands as the global epicenter of small commodity production. Every day, a wide array of products flow from its factories and are transported worldwide. However, few know that this high-tech center of light industry commerce is also home to ancient cultural sites and renowned intangible cultural heritage. Visitors can not only shop but also experience the cultural atmosphere of the city as they explore.
A set of painted pottery excavated from the Qiaotou site in Yiwu was displayed at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, Feb 23, 2021. [Photo/VCG]
1. Qiaotou site: A legacy of Shangshan Culture
Yiwu is home to an important Neolithic relic site, dating back around 9,000 years. This site is considered one of the earliest indicators of Chinese civilization. Located in Qiaotou village, just west of downtown Yiwu, the site was discovered in 2012, and excavations have been ongoing ever since. In 2019, it was named one of the "Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in China".
At the site, covering about 2,400 square meters, archaeologists have uncovered domesticated rice, stone tools, painted pottery, tombs, and remnants of surrounding moats. These findings offer clear evidence of early human settlement.
Qiaotou is one of several Shangshan Culture sites in Zhejiang, dating back to about 11,000 to 8,500 years ago. The Shangshan Culture was first discovered in 2000 at a Neolithic site in Shangshan village, Pujiang county. Since then, about 20 similar sites have been identified throughout the province.
The photo taken on Feb 2, 2017 shows Fotang Ancient Town in Yiwu city, Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]
2. Fotang Ancient Town
Fotang town is a popular destination in Yiwu's countryside. The 1,500-year-old settlement features traditional buildings adorned with stone and wood carvings, and is celebrated for its merchant culture and sweet snacks.
Fotang gained additional fame in 2017 when it was featured in the popular reality show Keep Running, starring Chinese celebrities Lu Han and Dilraba Dilmurat.
The town's Wanshan Floating Bridge was originally built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with donations collected during Emperor Qianlong's reign. Fotang was once a prosperous trade hub with a busy port. Over two dozen wooden boats are connected by iron chains and covered with planks.
In 2017, the bridge was rebuilt, and today, the town's main street is lined with shops, restaurants, and snack bars, allowing visitors to experience the charm of days gone by.
The former residence of Chen Wangdao at Fenshuitang village, Yiwu city, Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]
3. Red tourism site: Fenshuitang village
Fenshuitang village is a significant destination for red tourism in Yiwu. Visitors can tour the former residence of Chen Wangdao (1891-1977), a scholar who translated The Communist Manifesto into Chinese in 1920, one year before the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Chen returned to Fenshuitang during the Spring Festival of 1920 and lived in a woodshed, where he translated by the light of an oil lamp. In 1952, he became president of Shanghai's Fudan University.
Visitors can explore the restored woodshed, where a wax figure of Chen sits at a simple desk, holding a Chinese writing brush in one hand and a zongzi (a pyramidal glutinous rice dumpling) in the other. The scene is meant to portray the moment when Chen, so engrossed in his translation, mistakenly dipped the dumpling in black ink instead of brown sugar, only realizing it when his mother noticed his darkened lips.
Villagers make brown sugar using traditional methods in Yiwu city, Zhejiang province, Nov 18, 2023. [Photo/VCG]
4. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Brown sugar making technique
Yiwu is known as the "Home of Brown Sugar", with over 340 years of sugarcane cultivation and a sugar-making tradition that spans four centuries. In 2014, the brown sugar-making technique was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
The best time for making brown sugar is from October to December, and this period is also the busiest for sugar makers. The production process involves nine successive pots to ensure the purity of the sugar. The resulting sugar has a light yellow color with a hint of cyan and a sweet, spongy texture.
Yiwu's Xiantian village is one of the city's main brown sugar production areas, and in 2019, the village established a dedicated brown sugar production base.
Zhu Shungen (1st, L), a national-level inheritor of Jinhua Daoqing, teaches students the techniques of Jinhua Daoqing in Jinhua city, Zhejiang province, June 19, 2021. [Photo/VCG]
5. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Jinhua Daoqing
Jinhua Daoqing, also known as "Yiwu Daoqing" in Yiwu, is a traditional form of folk performance art that has been passed down for over 300 years. Originating from Daoist teachings promoting virtue and good deeds, it is also referred to as "Singing the News" or "Worldly Advice". It is one of the five major regional operatic styles in Zhejiang.
Performances typically feature a solo artist using the local dialect, holding a fishing drum, and accompanying themselves with hand clappers. The performance alternates between singing and spoken dialogue, characterized by a strong regional flavor.
The content often narrates historical stories or incorporates local news, blending storytelling with song. Jinhua Daoqing was officially included in the second batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.
The brewing workshop of Yiwu Danxi Wine Co., Ltd. is filled with the fragrance of red yeast yellow wine, in Jinhua city, Zhejiang province, March 4, 2015. [Photo/VCG]
6. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Yiwu Danxi Wine
Yiwu Danxi Wine is a local specialty with medicinal properties, such as improving digestion and boosting immunity. The traditional brewing technique has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Zhejiang province.
Historical records indicate that Zhu Danxi, one of the four great medical masters of the Jin (1115-1234) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, documented the brewing method and medicinal uses of red yeast rice wine in his book Bencaoyanyibuyi (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica).
Made with water from the local Danxi Stream, glutinous rice, and red yeast, Yiwu's Danxi wine preserves a 700-year-old brewing technique introduced by Zhu Danxi. The process, which begins during the Start of Winter (one of China's 24 Solar Terms), involves handcrafted brewing, natural fermentation, and pressing in the spring. The wine can be consumed or used in cooking and is often given as a gift during festive occasions.
The photo taken on Sept 27, 2016 shows Wan Shaojun and one of his woodcarving works in his workshop in Yiwu city, Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]
7. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Wood Carving
While Dongyang wood carving is renowned worldwide, few are aware that Yiwu wood carving is also highly regarded.
Wan Shaojun, born in 1972, is a chief technician in Zhejiang province and the first provincial-level craft art master in Yiwu. He is also a representative inheritor of Yiwu wood carving techniques, recognized as intangible cultural heritage in both Yiwu and Jinhua. Wan has won over 40 gold medals in provincial and municipal-level competitions.
After decades of dedicated research, Wan has innovatively blended techniques from Wenzhou round carving, Dongyang relief carving, and Fujian hollow carving. His work is known for its lifelike, detailed, and expressive wood carvings.
Wan has worked tirelessly to preserve Yiwu's traditional woodcarving, hoping to keep the craft vibrant in modern society. As he says, "I believe 70 percent of my work is about inheriting the traditions of our ancestors, while the rest reflects modern ideals and styles."
