Jinhua is a city in Zhejiang Province in eastern China. It is best known for three things: its ham, the Yiwu small commodities market nearby, and its traditional crafts. The city is also an important commercial and manufacturing centre, so a visit here tends to suit travellers interested in how goods are made and traded as much as in sightseeing.
What draws visitors
- Jinhua ham, the local cured ham that gives the city much of its reputation and that you will find in its food shops and markets.
- Yiwu small commodities market, a large trading hub in the wider Jinhua area, known for its vast range of small everyday goods.
- Traditional crafts, which reflect the city's long-standing local skills.
Planning a visit
Jinhua suits a visitor with a focus on commerce, food and craft rather than a checklist of landmarks. Going to Yiwu is a natural companion to a stay in the city, since the market is one of the area's defining features. Allow time to sample the local ham, which is central to the city's identity, and to look around the craft traditions that have shaped it.
If you are drawn to a working, industrious city in Zhejiang, with a strong trading character and a distinctive regional food, Jinhua is worth considering. Check current details for transport and visiting arrangements before you travel.
