Located in East China’s Zhejiang Province, Yiwu City is the global epicenter of small commodities production. Every day, a wide variety of products leave their factories and are transported around the world. However, few people know that this center of high-tech trade and gentile industry is also home to ancient cultural sites and famous intangible cultural heritage. Visitors can not only stop by to purchase food but also delight in the city’s cultural environment as they explore.
1. Qiaotou Site: a heritage 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 from approximately 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, approximately 20 similar sites have been known in the province.
Video: Exploring cultural sites and heritage in Yiwu