Getting to and around Wenzhou during expo week requires some advance planning. Hotels book out early, transport logistics are straightforward once you know the system, and the geography of the city affects how you structure your sourcing itinerary. Here is what international buyers need to know.
Getting to Wenzhou
By Air
Wenzhou Longwan International Airport (IATA: WNZ) handles domestic routes and some limited international connections. Most international buyers fly into a Chinese hub — Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Guangzhou (CAN), or Shenzhen (SZX) — and then connect to Wenzhou on a domestic flight.
The Wenzhou-Shanghai domestic route has frequent service throughout the day. Flight time is about one hour. Shanghai-Wenzhou is one of the busiest domestic routes out of Shanghai Hongqiao, which is typically more convenient than Pudong for onward connections within China.
Airport to city center: approximately 40 to 50 minutes by Didi or taxi. The airport is on the eastern side of the city; most expo hotels and the convention center are in the Ouhai district on the western side. Didi from the airport runs roughly 100 to 150 RMB (approximately $14 to $21 USD) depending on traffic.
By High-Speed Rail
If you’re already in China — particularly in Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Fujian Province — high-speed rail to Wenzhou is often faster and more convenient than flying when you factor in airport check-in time.
Shanghai to Wenzhou: Approximately 2 hours on the G-series high-speed trains. Multiple trains per day. Book tickets in advance through the 12306 app (China’s official rail booking system, now available in English) or through a travel agent.
Hangzhou to Wenzhou: Approximately 1.5 hours. Convenient for buyers combining Wenzhou with visits to Hangzhou suppliers.
Wenzhou Station vs. Wenzhou South Station: Wenzhou South (Wenzhou Nan) is the main high-speed hub and serves more routes, but it’s further from the Ouhai district than the main Wenzhou Station. Check which station your train serves before deciding where to stay. A Didi from Wenzhou South to the convention center area takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Hotels: Book Early
Expo week in Wenzhou is a known hotel crunch. Rooms near the convention center are the first to sell out, and prices increase significantly as the expo approaches. Book at least four to six weeks in advance if possible, longer if you want the best rates.
Where to Stay
Ouhai District (near the convention center): The most convenient location for expo attendance. Several business hotels within walking distance or a five-minute Didi. Expect to pay a premium during expo week.
Lucheng District (downtown Wenzhou): More hotel options at a wider range of price points. About 20 to 30 minutes by Didi from the convention center. This makes more sense if you’re planning to balance expo time with factory visits in the manufacturing cluster, as the distances balance out.
Budget Guidance
During expo week, budget hotels in the Ouhai area start around 400-600 RMB per night ($55-85 USD). Mid-range business hotels run 700-1,200 RMB ($100-170 USD). International chain properties, where available, command premium rates.
Booking on Trip.com (formerly Ctrip) or through international platforms like Booking.com gives you a comparable range. Trip.com tends to have better coverage of local Chinese properties and often better pricing for CNY-denominated bookings.
Getting Around Wenzhou
Didi
Didi is the default option. Download the app before you leave your home country — the international version is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can add an international credit card for payment directly in the international version, which eliminates the need for a Chinese bank account or phone number.
Didi within the Ouhai district is straightforward. Cross-district trips during rush hour (7-9 AM and 5-8 PM) take longer than they appear on maps. Budget extra time on expo days when everyone is moving at once.
Taxis
Standard taxis are available but less abundant than in tier-one Chinese cities. Show drivers the Chinese-character address on your phone. If you’re visiting our factory, we’ll send you the address in both English and Chinese characters when you confirm your visit.
Metro
Wenzhou has a tram/light rail system. It’s useful for some routes but not optimally routed for expo-to-factory movement. Didi is faster and more flexible for the specific geography relevant to sourcing trips.
The Factory Cluster: Geography Matters
The Guoxi High-Tech Eyewear Industrial Park, where our factory is located, is about 15 minutes from the convention center. This is the main eyewear manufacturing concentration in Wenzhou. Several factories you might visit are in the same park or nearby.
If you’re planning to visit multiple factories in a single day, it’s worth asking each one which specific area of the industrial park they’re in. The park covers a substantial area, and walking between factories at opposite ends is not practical. Didi between stops within the park is the efficient option.
Connectivity and Communication
SIM cards: International roaming is expensive and slow compared to a local SIM. You can buy a short-term tourist SIM at Wenzhou Airport from China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom. Alternatively, a portable WiFi device rented in advance handles connectivity for small groups.
VPN: Most Western internet services are blocked in China, including Google, Gmail, WhatsApp (inconsistently), and LinkedIn. A reliable VPN set up before you arrive lets you use your normal workflow. Install and test it before you leave home — setting up a VPN from within China is significantly harder.
WeChat: Set up a WeChat account before your trip. Almost every supplier communication happens through WeChat. For international buyers, we communicate on WhatsApp as our primary channel, with WeChat as the backup.
Before You Arrive: Our Checklist for Expo Visitors
- Book your hotel (at least four weeks before expo week)
- Download Didi and add payment method
- Set up WeChat and test your VPN
- Book factory visits in advance — message us on WhatsApp to secure your slot
- Prepare your sourcing brief: product categories, target quantities, price targets
- If you have specific styles in mind, save reference photos to your phone for easy sharing
Book Your Factory Visit
We’re available for factory visits on May 8, 9, and 10. Slots fill during expo week — contact us in advance.
- WhatsApp: +86 152 5809 0639 (Mimi)
- Email: mimi@wenzhouframe.com
Wenzhouframe — Guoxi High-Tech Eyewear Industrial Park, Ouhai District, Wenzhou. Your trusted partner for high-efficiency eyewear sourcing.
