Hangzhou Yifa Clothing Market: Sourcing “Hangpai” Fashion

Most international buyers start their journey in Guangzhou. It is the “World’s Factory,” after all. But if you have been in the sourcing game for a while, you know that China’s textile industry has a second capital.

That capital is Hangzhou.

Located just a short high-speed train ride away from Shanghai, Hangzhou is home to the famous “Sijiqing” wholesale district. And sitting on the throne of this district is the Hangzhou Yifa Clothing Market (Yifa Fashion City).

Why should a buyer leave the comfort of Guangzhou to source in Hangzhou? The answer lies in two words: Quality and Seasonality.

Hangzhou is the birthplace of “Hangpai” (Hangzhou Style) fashion—known for elegant cuts, superior fabrics (silks, cottons, linens), and, most importantly, heavy winter wear. While Guangzhou struggles to produce heavy down jackets and wool coats due to its tropical climate, Hangzhou specializes in them.

At GZWM, we don’t just limit our scope to one city. We help you source from the best production hubs in China. Here is your expert guide to navigating the Yifa Market in Hangzhou.

What is the Hangzhou Yifa Clothing Market?

The Hangzhou Yifa Clothing Market (often just called “Yifa”) is the anchor of the Sijiqing Clothing Street, which is one of the largest garment distribution centers in China.

Opened in 2002, Yifa is not a chaotic, low-end market. It positions itself as a center for Original Design and Brand Incubation. Many of the brands you see here have their own factories and design teams. They don’t just copy trends; they set them.

Key Differences from Guangzhou Markets:

1. The Style: “Hangpai” style is generally more feminine, sophisticated, and mature compared to the edgy street style of Guangzhou. Think elegant office wear, flowy dresses, and high-end knitwear.
2. The Quality: The average price point is higher, but the quality of stitching and fabric is noticeably better.
3. The Seasons: Yifa is the absolute best place in China to source Down Jackets (Puffer Coats) and Wool Coats for your Autumn/Winter collection.

Floor Guide and Main Categories

Yifa is a large, well-organized building with roughly 7 floors of business area. Unlike some markets that are a maze, Yifa is relatively easy to navigate, but knowing the layout helps you target the right suppliers.

1st & 2nd Floor: The Trendsetters

The lower floors are the busiest and most accessible.

• The Vibe: High traffic, fast-paced.
• Products: This is where you find the “Fast Fashion” of Hangzhou. You will see trendy knits, blouses, and skirts. The MOQs here are usually flexible, and they hold stock (spot goods) for immediate shipment.

3rd & 4th Floor: The “Hangpai” Boutiques

This is the core of the market.

• The Vibe: The shops here look like high-end retail boutiques. The decoration is beautiful, and the displays are curated.
• Products: This is where the famous “Hangzhou Style” shines. You will find original designs, cotton/linen collections, and sophisticated dresses. The prices here reflect the quality. If you own a boutique that sells “Affordable Luxury,” spend your time here.

5th Floor & Above: Showrooms and Brand Operations

The upper floors often serve as the headquarters for the larger brands downstairs.

• Products: Heavy winter gear often dominates these floors during the season. You will find massive showrooms dedicated entirely to high-quality down jackets and alpaca coats.
• Target: These floors are ideal for volume buyers looking to place large OEM orders or secure exclusive distribution for a specific design.

Operating Hours and Address

Pay Attention: This is the most critical part of this guide. Hangzhou markets operate on a specialized “Early Bird” schedule that catches many foreigners off guard.

• Official Name: Hangzhou Yifa Clothing City (杭州意法服饰城)
• Address: No. 100, Hanghai Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
• Chinese Address: 浙江省杭州市上城区杭海路100号
• Opening Hours: 06:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Daily)

Pro Tip: In Guangzhou, markets open at 9 or 10 AM. In Hangzhou Sijiqing, the market is fully alive at 7:00 AM. By 3:00 PM, many shops are already counting stock and packing up. You must wake up early to source here.

Nearby Transportation: Getting to Sijiqing

Yifa is located in the Sijiqing (四季青) district. Traffic here can be gridlocked because of the sheer volume of logistics trucks.

By High-Speed Train

If you are coming from Guangzhou or Shanghai, you will likely arrive at Hangzhou East Railway Station (杭州东站).

• From Hangzhou East, it is a short 15-20 minute taxi ride to the market (traffic permitting).

By Metro (The Best Way)

Hangzhou has an excellent metro system.

• Station: Sijiqing Station (四季青站)
• Line: Line 9.
• Exit: Check the station maps for “Sijiqing Clothing Market” or “Yifa.”
  • Directions: The market is within walking distance from the metro. Using the metro allows you to bypass the terrible traffic jams on Hanghai Road.

Nearby Hotels for Business Travelers

Since the market opens at 6:30 AM, you want to stay as close as possible.

1. Merchant Marco Hotel (Hangzhou Jiebai)

• A solid 4-star option located reasonably close to the market area but near the West Lake, giving you a nice balance of business and scenery.

2. Budget Hotels on Qingchun Road

• There are numerous chains like Atour Hotel or Hanting Hotel near the Sijiqing area. They are clean, modern, and cater specifically to business travelers attending the markets.

3. InterContinental Hangzhou

• If you prefer luxury, the InterContinental (the famous golden sphere building) is located nearby in the CBD area, a short taxi ride from Yifa.

Sourcing Tips for Foreigners in Hangzhou

Buying in Hangzhou has a different “flavor” than Guangzhou.

1. Focus on Winter: If you are sourcing for a Summer collection, Guangzhou is king. But if you are preparing for Winter, Hangzhou is unrivaled. The quality of the down filling and the fur collars here is world-class.
2. The “Packet” Rule: Wholesalers here often refer to “Yi Bao” (One Packet). They prefer to sell in pre-packed bundles of mixed sizes. Negotiating for single pieces is very difficult.
3. Speed is Key: Styles in Yifa turn over fast. If you see a coat you love, buy a sample immediately. It might be gone if you come back in the afternoon.
4. Language: Hangzhou is slightly less international than Guangzhou. While GZ shop assistants often know basic English numbers, in Hangzhou, a translation app is 100% mandatory.

Online Shopping: Source Hangzhou Quality via GZWM

We know that adding another city to your travel itinerary is expensive. You might be based in Guangzhou and don’t have the time to take the train to Hangzhou, or you might be overseas and unable to travel at all.

GZWM bridges the gap between you and Hangzhou.

You do not need to wake up at 6:00 AM to get the best Hangzhou designs. We can do it for you.

• Access “Hangpai” Designs: Through GZWM, you can browse the catalogs of the top Yifa manufacturers. We help you find those specific “boutique style” items that are hard to find in the massive markets of Guangzhou.
• Quality Inspection for Winter Wear: Buying coats is risky; you can’t see the down filling quality from a photo. GZWM acts as your eyes and hands. We verify the puffiness, the weight, and the fabric quality before the goods leave China.
• Consolidated Sourcing: Imagine buying summer dresses from Guangzhou and winter coats from Hangzhou, and receiving them in one single shipment. We handle the domestic logistics between cities so you save on international freight.

Expand your inventory beyond Guangzhou.
Visit the GZWM Market Directory to discover our curated list of Hangzhou Yifa suppliers. Elevate your shop’s quality with the best original designs China has to offer.