Big World, Small Commodities
3-Day Field Experience | Yiwu, Zhejiang, Ages 10+, School Groups, Customisable Programme
Programme Overview
Did you know that a city in China has a reputation for predicting the outcome of the US presidential election? And when the World Cup comes around, orders from this same city can sometimes reveal who the market expects to win before the final whistle.
This 3-day project-based learning programme takes students to Yiwu, the world's largest small-commodity wholesale market. With around 75,000 shops and exports reaching over 230 countries and regions, Yiwu is a window into how global demand, trade and business actually work.
Through field observation, direct conversations and hands-on projects, students will investigate why Yiwu became a global trading hub, how its markets connect businesses around the world, and who chooses to build their futures here, while developing skills in research, cross-cultural communication and digital storytelling.
Key Highlights
Itinerary
Afternoon: Meet the President of the local Chamber of Commerce and visit Zone 6 of Yiwu International Trade City. Explore Yiwu's digital trade infrastructure, including the Yiwu Pay payment system and a digital dashboard showing real-time logistics and trade data.
Later Afternoon: Listen to a brand founder about his experience in cross-border e-commerce.
Evening: Visit Santing Road Night Market to enjoy local specialities and small commodities.
Mini PBL Challenge: Share first impressions, prior knowledge and assumptions about Yiwu, Chinese manufacturing and global trade, then reflect on how their perspectives have changed throughout the day.
Food Experience: Yiwu offers a diverse range of global cuisines, from Turkish, Italian and Arabic to Korean and Japanese.
—a foreign buyer
—a merchant
—a tourist
—a market volunteer
—……
Afternoon: Explore the Market Companion Programme. Understand why the government introduced this programme and what role it plays in supporting international visitors and local businesses. Map the key stakeholders behind Yiwu's global trade ecosystem.
Evening / Mini PBL Challenge: Edit the video and post it on personal social media accounts or teaching team's official channel.
Food Experience: Traditional Yiwu food such as Donghe meat pies.
Afternoon: Visit a team with tens of millions of followers and explore the use of social media in international trade. Interview different members of the team using the same interview questions. Through comparing multiple perspectives, investigate how personal background, career choices and individual experiences shape people's decisions to build their careers in Yiwu.
For example:
—Why did you choose Yiwu instead of cities like Shanghai or Beijing after studying abroad?
—What attracted you to come here?
—Why did you join such a team? What makes the team special to you?
—……
Safeguarding & Practical Care
The programme is designed with student wellbeing and safety in mind. All routes, venues and activities are planned in advance, with trained staff accompanying students throughout the journey.
Safety
- Staff-to-student ratio of at least 1:5
- Programme leaders, subject mentors and safety coordinators on site
- 24-hour emergency response
- Pre-inspected venues and activity plans
Licensed transport and professional drivers
Health
- Full programme insurance coverage
- Meals included, with local food experiences across Yiwu
- Dietary requirements and allergies accommodated with advance notice
Accommodation
- Accommodation arranged in quality hotels or guesthouses, depending on location
Detailed safeguarding arrangements, insurance information and risk assessment procedures are available upon request.
FAQ
This programme is designed for high school and university students interested in global trade, social innovation, content creation, and cross-cultural learning. No prior business or filmmaking experience is required, just curiosity about how the world connects through commerce.
Students will produce a short video, filmed and edited during the programme. They may choose to interview merchants, tourists, buyers or even volunteers. Videos can be posted on personal social media accounts or the programme's official channel.
No. The programme is designed for students of all backgrounds, with guidance provided throughout market visits, conversations and content creation activities.
Programme arrangements typically include instruction, workshops, mentors, accommodation, meals, insurance, entrance tickets, learning materials, local transport and airport transfers. Flights or travel to and from Yiwu, personal spending and expenses outside the confirmed itinerary are not included.
Yes. Allergies, vegetarian options and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Student safety is managed through staff supervision, advance planning, pre-inspected venues and emergency response procedures. The programme maintains a low staff-to-student ratio with trained coordinators on site throughout all activities.
Ready to Learn More?
Request the full itinerary or speak to our programme team about group bookings, school partnerships and customised learning journeys.
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