Major city · China
Jinhua金华
Give Jinhua one full day for the old town and one for the caves or Hengdian, or skip it if your Zhejiang time is under four nights.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (heavy rain and humid heat), Chinese New Year week
- Airports
- YIW · HGH · PVG
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Jinhua is a 2,200-year-old prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang and a rail junction, about 1 hour from Hangzhou by high-speed train. It is not a headline sight: the draw is the riverfront old town, Jinhua ham, and day trips to Double Dragon Cave, Dongyang woodcarving country and the Hengdian film studios. Two nights covers the city; three lets you add one big side trip.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jinhua, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyJinhua is a low-crime city and walking the centre at night is normal.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYIW Yiwu Airport (About 45 km from central Jinhua; taxi 50 min, ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25); shuttle buses run to the city.).YIW Yiwu Airport (About 28 mi from central Jinhua; taxi 50 min, ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25); shuttle buses run to the city.).
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) and cover the centre; routes 1, 5, 9 and 19 link the railway station, the commercial districts and the suburbs.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice bowl¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerbottle at a shop / draught in a bar¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxi¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥50–150 (≈ US$7–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥600 (≈ US$85) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YIW Yiwu Airport (About 45 km from central Jinhua; taxi 50 min, ¥100–150; shuttle buses run to the city.) · HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 150 km; high-speed train to Jinhua in roughly 1 hour, ¥50–100.) · PVG Shanghai Pudong International (About 250 km; high-speed train to Jinhua in roughly 2 hours, ¥150–250.)YIW Yiwu Airport (About 28 mi from central Jinhua; taxi 50 min, ¥100–150; shuttle buses run to the city.) · HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 93 mi; high-speed train to Jinhua in roughly 1 hour, ¥50–100.) · PVG Shanghai Pudong International (About 155 mi; high-speed train to Jinhua in roughly 2 hours, ¥150–250.)
Weather and climate
Jinhua: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C50°F
3°C37°F
12 rd
Feb
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
13 rd
Mar
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
16 rd
Apr
23°C73°F
14°C57°F
16 rd
May
28°C82°F
19°C66°F
16 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
17 rd
Jul
35°C95°F
26°C79°F
13 rd
Aug
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
12 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
11 rd
Oct
25°C77°F
16°C61°F
9 rd
Nov
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
9 rd
Dec
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost ¥1–2 and cover the centre; routes 1, 5, 9 and 19 link the railway station, the commercial districts and the suburbs. Taxis and ride-hailing are cheap for short hops. Shared bikes need a Chinese phone number or local ID to register, so most short-term visitors cannot unlock them; hotel bike rental runs about ¥20 a day. High-speed trains from Jinhua South reach Hangzhou in about 1 hour and Shanghai in about 2.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Double Dragon Cave (Shuanglong Dong)
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Bus or taxi from the city centre to the cave area, then a short walk
The classic Jinhua side trip; go early and check the last entry time.
Hengdian World Studios
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus from South Bus Station toward Hengdian, then local shuttle
Film-set theme park; a full day, and tickets are dated — check before you go.
Dongyang
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
High-speed train or bus east, about 30–60 min
Woodcarving workshops and the Lu Zhai area; pair with Hengdian if you have a car.
Yiwu
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed train or bus from Jinhua, about 1 hour
The trade market is the point; not a sightseeing day unless you are buying.
Lanxi
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from West Bus Station, about 1 hour
Quiet river town; go only if you have already done the caves and Hengdian.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wucheng District (city centre)
Around Jinhua Railway Station and Bayi North Street; walkable to the riverfront old town and the main bus stops. Best for a short stay.
Jinhua South Railway Station area
Southern outskirts; high-speed trains to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo. Choose it only if you leave early.
Yiwu
Separate city 1 hour east, with its own airport and the international trade market. Base here only if Yiwu is your reason for coming.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥600 | CN¥2,400 |
| High-speed train Hangzhou → Jinhua, one way2 × CN¥80 | CN¥160 |
| City bus ride2 × CN¥2 | CN¥4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥346 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥953 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,810≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Noodle soup or rice bowl | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Jinhua ham dish at a local restaurant | ¥40–90 (≈ US$6–13) |
| Coffee | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: bottle at a shop / draught in a bar | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) / ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| 5 km taxi | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| City bus ride | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥50–150 (≈ US$7–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer rain is heavy from June to September, with frequent thunderstorms; build indoor backup into any day.
- Shared bikes and some apps need a Chinese phone number or ID; set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive.
- Double Dragon Cave and Hengdian are outside the city: check opening hours and last entry before you set out.
- English is limited outside hotels; keep your address in Chinese characters.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Jinhua金华
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most countries: embassies in Beijing, consulates-general in Shanghai. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yiwu Airport → central Jinhua, taxi: ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25), about 50 min
- Hangzhou → Jinhua, high-speed train: ¥50–100 (≈ US$7–14), about 1 hour
- City bus: ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱? — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 可以刷卡吗? — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里? — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bù dǒng)
Keep the hotel name and address in Chinese characters on your phone.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jinhua. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heavy rain and humid heat), Chinese New Year week · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for YIW, HGH and PVG: last shuttle and last high-speed train field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Wucheng old town and riverfront, the railway station grid, Jinhua South, and the cave road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Double Dragon Cave, Hengdian, Dongyang woodcarving, Wuzhou old town) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialJinhua municipal government
- secondaryWikidata — Jinhua
- secondaryWikivoyage: Jinhua, revision 5308447 (CC BY-SA 4.0)