Most people only know Jinhua for its ham. Or maybe they’ve heard of Yiwu, the "world’s supermarket" that technically sits under its jurisdiction. But honestly, if you think Jinhua City Zhejiang China is just a place where shipping containers go to die and pork legs are hung to dry, you’ve been missing the real story.
Jinhua is weirdly diverse. One minute you’re in a high-tech New Energy Vehicle (NEV) plant watching autonomous cars roll off the line, and the next you’re in a literal 1:1 replica of the Forbidden City. It’s a city of layers. It’s got a grit that comes from being a manufacturing powerhouse, but it also has these surprisingly lush, misty mountains like the Shuanglong Scenic Area that feel like they belong in a classical ink painting.
The Global Influence of Yiwu and the 2026 World Cup
You cannot talk about Jinhua without talking about Yiwu. It’s the tail that wags the dog. Right now, in early 2026, Yiwu is absolutely buzzing. Why? The FIFA World Cup is coming up later this year.
While the players are training in North America, the merchants in Yiwu have already won. They’ve been shipping millions of flags, jerseys, and trophies since last year. Exports of sports goods from the region surged over 16% in 2025. It’s the ultimate "behind the scenes" of global fandom. If you see a supporter’s outfit in Vancouver or Mexico City this summer, there is a 90% chance it passed through a warehouse in Jinhua.
But it’s not just cheap plastic anymore. The "Yiwu Selection" brand is going upscale, opening showrooms in places like Argentina and Kenya. They are trying to shake off the "cheap" label by enforcing standardized quality control and intellectual property protections. It’s a massive shift in the local business culture.
Jinhua Ham: 1,000 Years of Salt and Time
Let’s talk about the meat. Jinhua City Zhejiang China is famous for huotui (fire leg). This isn’t your deli-counter honey ham. It’s a dry-cured, umami-bomb that takes nearly a year to produce.
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Traditionally, it’s made from the "Two Ends Black" pig—basically the panda of the pig world because it has a black head and rump with a white middle. The process is brutal. You salt the legs six or seven times during the winter. Then they hang in the heat of a Zhejiang summer to ferment and develop those funky, complex aromas.
Kinda like a fine wine, but with more sodium.
If you’re visiting, don't just eat it. Go to the Panda Pig International Ranch. It sounds like a joke, but it’s a high-tech "pig theme park" where you can actually see the history of the breed and how the ham is made. It’s a bit surreal, but it’s peak Jinhua.
The Hollywood of the East: Hengdian World Studios
If you’ve ever watched a Chinese historical drama and wondered how they keep getting permission to film in the Forbidden City, they don’t. They go to Hengdian.
Located in Dongyang, another part of Jinhua, Hengdian World Studios is the largest film base on the planet. It’s massive. You can walk through the Qin King’s Palace, then stroll over to a replica of 19th-century Hong Kong.
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- The Qin Palace: Built for Zhang Yimou’s Hero. It’s imposing and huge.
- Dream Valley: A massive theme park next door that has 4D rides and night shows.
- Guangzhou & Hong Kong Street: Perfectly captures the vibe of old-school cinema.
It’s a working studio, so you might literally walk past a film crew while wearing a rented Ming Dynasty robe. Pro tip: If you go in the summer, bring an umbrella and a lot of water. It gets ridiculously hot in those courtyards.
Modern Jinhua: The Pivot to Tech and Tourism
The city is currently rebranding itself for the 2026 landscape. They are moving away from just "making things" to "designing things."
In the Jindong District, they’ve been opening new "consumption scenarios." This is basically government-speak for "places where people actually want to hang out." Think camping bases by Jinyi Lake, ceramic art galleries, and renovated ancient streets like Poyang. They are trying to capture the Gen Z "slow travel" market.
On the industrial side, Jinhua is now a major hub for smart vehicles. On January 16, 2026, major industrial meetings in the city highlighted breakthroughs in all-solid-state batteries. They aren't just shipping socks anymore; they are competing for the future of the global EV supply chain.
Logistics and How to Get Around
Jinhua is a transport beast. It’s a key stop on the China-Europe Railway Express. This "steel camel caravan" connects the city directly to Eurasia.
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For you, the traveler, it’s easy. The high-speed rail connects Jinhua to Hangzhou in about 45 minutes and Shanghai in 90. Within the city, the "Jinhua-Yiwu-Dongyang" rail transit system is basically a long-distance subway that makes hopping between the business district and the film studios much easier than it used to be.
Practical Steps for Visiting Jinhua
If you're actually planning to drop by, don't just wing it. Jinhua is spread out.
- Start in Yiwu: Spend a day at the International Trade Mart. It’s overwhelming, but seeing the sheer scale of global trade is a bucket-list item.
- Head to Hengdian: Allocate at least two days. Stay at the Broadway Mansion or a themed hotel near the Dream Bund to get the full experience.
- Nature break: Go to the Shuanglong (Double Dragon) Cave. You have to lie flat in a small boat to enter the inner cave because the ceiling is so low. It’s a bit claustrophobic but very cool.
- Eat properly: Try the shoubingshan (hand-pulled noodles) and, of course, a soup flavored with Jinhua ham. Don't eat the ham by itself—it's way too salty for that.
Jinhua is a city that doesn't care if you like it. It’s busy working, shipping, and filming. But if you take the time to dig past the factories, you'll find one of the most culturally layered spots in Zhejiang.
To see the real Jinhua, check the current high-speed rail schedules via the 12306 app, as new lines like the Lanxi–Jiande section are just beginning trial runs this month. Make sure to book your Hengdian tickets through Trip.com or Meituan ahead of time, especially if you're targeting the "Forbidden City Grand Ceremony" performance, which usually starts around 2:00 PM.