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.

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.

Video: Exploring cultural sites and heritage in Yiwu