Haizhu District · Guangzhou
Zhongda Fabric Market
中大布匹市场 - Guangzhou's Premier Textile Wholesale District
Asia's largest concentration of fabric and textile suppliers, spread across dozens of interconnected markets in Haizhu District.
Asia's Fabric Powerhouse
Zhongda Fabric Market (中大布匹市场, Zhōngdà Bùpǐ Shìchǎng) is not a single building; it is an entire district dedicated to textiles and fabrics. Spread across Ruikang Road and the surrounding streets of Haizhu District, this wholesale hub is home to tens of thousands of fabric shops operating across purpose-built malls, warehouse buildings, and open-air lanes.
For fashion designers, garment manufacturers, and international buyers, Zhongda is the first and most important stop in Guangzhou. The market supplies a global fashion and textile industry worth over USD $100 billion, drawing traders from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas every season.
What sets Zhongda apart from other wholesale markets in Guangzhou is its sheer depth: every fabric type, every weight, every finish, and every garment accessory you need to take a design from concept to production is available within walking distance.
How Zhongda Became a Global Textile Centre
Zhongda's origins trace back to the late 1980s, when China's economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping opened the door to private trade. A cluster of small fabric dealers established a trading zone along Ruikang Road, taking advantage of Guangzhou's existing role as a port city and its proximity to Hong Kong, which at the time was the primary gateway for international buyers entering the China market.
By the early 1990s, the cluster had grown into a recognised wholesale hub. The combination of low overheads, direct manufacturer access, and flexible order quantities attracted buyers from across Asia. As Guangdong's garment industry expanded inland, Zhongda became the natural sourcing centre supplying it: fabric arrived from mills across Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang, and finished orders left for factories in Guangzhou, Foshan, and beyond.
In the 2000s, the Guangzhou municipal government undertook urban renewal projects across the market, replacing older structures with purpose-built commercial buildings and improving road infrastructure. This modernisation attracted international freight forwarders and banking services into the district, making it practical for overseas buyers to place large orders and arrange direct shipment.
Today, Zhongda operates as a self-contained trade ecosystem. Within a few city blocks you can source fabric, commission printing and dyeing, arrange quality inspection, book logistics, and open a trade account, all without leaving the district. It remains one of the most important wholesale destinations in China for anyone working in fashion and garment manufacturing.
Why International Buyers Choose Zhongda
Asia's Largest Textile Hub
Tens of thousands of stalls across dozens of interconnected buildings, the go-to sourcing district for buyers from over 100 countries.
Direct-from-Mill Pricing
Many vendors source directly from Guangdong mills, cutting out intermediaries. Prices are negotiable and bulk discounts are standard.
Custom Fabric Services
Printing, dyeing, embroidery, and finishing workshops operate within the district. Custom colourways and fabric compositions are widely available.
Flexible Minimum Orders
Some vendors allow purchases from as little as 1 metre, making Zhongda practical for boutique owners and sampling alongside bulk buyers.
What You Can Source at Zhongda
The range at Zhongda is exhaustive. Whether you are designing a single garment collection or procuring fabric for industrial-scale production, the market has what you need:
- ✔Fabric types: cotton, silk, linen, polyester, denim, wool, nylon, rayon, spandex blends, and technical fabrics. Both woven and knit constructions are well represented.
- ✔Lace and embroidery: one of Zhongda's particular strengths; a wide range of machine lace, guipure, embroidered panels, and trims unavailable outside specialist wholesale markets.
- ✔Garment accessories: zippers, buttons, threads, elastic, ribbons, beads, sequins, shoulder pads, and interlining. Sourcing accessories alongside fabric in the same visit is a major time-saver.
- ✔Yarns and knitting supplies: knitting yarns, sewing threads, and industrial-grade machine threads for production use.
- ✔Custom finishing services: digital and screen printing, reactive dyeing, garment washing, and fabric calendering are offered by specialist workshops in and around the district.
Canton Fair Buyers Take Note
Zhongda and the Canton Fair are natural complements. Many buyers combine a Canton Fair visit with a sourcing trip through Zhongda. The market is roughly 15 minutes by metro from the Canton Fair Complex.
Canton Fair Guide →The Main Markets Inside the District
Zhongda is a district of interconnected fabric markets, each with its own specialisation. Here is a market-by-market breakdown to help you plan your visit.
Largest Market
Guangzhou International Textile City
广州国际轻纺城 · ONEFABA
The largest and most structured building in the district: seven floors, over 300,000 m² of floor space, and more than 4,000 shops. First-time visitors should start here: the layout is logical, with fabric types grouped by floor.
Best for Wovens & Prints
Jiu Zhou Textile Trade Plaza
中大九洲轻纺广场
Focused on woven fabrics, printed textiles, lace, hiking and outdoor materials, and windbreaker fabrics. Generally more competitive on price than ONEFABA - worth comparing both before committing to bulk orders.
Particularly good for buyers sourcing activewear and technical fabric constructions. Navigating with a sourcing agent or translation app is recommended as English is limited here.
Premium & Custom Development
Zhongda South Gate Market
广州红棉中大门
A mix of trading companies and design-forward suppliers who emphasise custom development: exclusive prints, engineered colourways, and proprietary fabric constructions. Expect higher prices reflecting the design and development overhead.
Best suited for fashion brands building a private-label range rather than buyers sourcing stock fabrics at commodity prices.
⚠ 2026 Update: Closed
Changjiang North District
广州长江(中国)轻纺城北区
Market Closed - Fire Damage (2026)
Changjiang North District was destroyed in a fire in 2026 that lasted several days. The building has been sealed and no entry is permitted. Reopening date is currently unknown. Do not plan a visit to this section. Confirm current status with your contacts before travelling.
The South District (below) remains open and operational. Buyers who previously sourced from Changjiang North should redirect to Pearl River International Textile City or Jiangnan Textile City for comparable products.
Plush, Velvet & Fur
Changjiang South District
广州长江(中国)轻纺城南区
The South District remains open and operates as a specialist hub for plush fabrics, corduroy, faux suede, velvet, and fur materials. Organised into ten streets in a grid system, easier to navigate systematically than some of the older buildings.
Good stop for buyers sourcing for winterwear, home furnishings, or fashion lines requiring tactile surface fabrics.
Mid-Range Quality
Pearl River International Textile City
珠江国际轻纺城
A large multi-floor complex offering mid-range textiles at fair prices, offering a good balance between product breadth and cost for buyers not chasing the absolute lowest price point. The adjacent Pearl River International Hotel makes this a convenient base if you are staying in the district.
Over 400,000 m² of textile companies across the first floor alone. Less intimidating than ONEFABA for buyers on their first visit to the district.
Direct Manufacturers · Cotton & Activewear
Jiangnan Textile City
中大江南纺织城
Warehouse-format buildings with more space between stores than the dense commercial markets - expect to walk. Many sellers here are direct manufacturers rather than middlemen, which translates to better factory-gate pricing for buyers who put in the time.
Specialises in cotton knits, windbreaker and shell fabrics, and activewear materials. A good destination if you have already scoped pricing at ONEFABA and want to find the manufacturer behind the product.
Allow a full day, or two, for a thorough visit across multiple markets. Bring a notebook, a USB power bank, and comfortable shoes.
Insider Tip
Fengkang Road: Where the Middlemen Source Their Stock
A few minutes' walk from Pearl River International Textile City, Fengkang Road is one of Zhongda's best-kept secrets. Largely unknown to first-time foreign buyers, this short road is where prominent fabric mills and their warehouse showrooms are based, the very sources that supply many of the middlemen operating in the larger commercial markets.
Buying here means fewer layers between you and the manufacturer. The difference in scale is immediately obvious: the showrooms are larger, stock is deeper, and pricing reflects the absence of a trading margin.
Notable mills with a presence on Fengkang Road:
- ›Taisum Textile - cotton knitted fabrics; large headquarters and showroom
- ›Yuesheng - lining fabrics
- ›Xin Qin Yuan Textile - polyester and nylon knitted fabrics
Getting to Fengkang Road
Metro Line 10 or 11 → Wufeng Station, Exit B. Walk approximately 200 metres east to the next intersection, then turn right. Or input a mill name (e.g. Xin Qin Yuan Textile) into Didi or Amap for direct routing.
Buying Tips for International Visitors
Arrive Early
Reach the market by 9 AM on a weekday. Sellers are fresher, crowds are manageable, and you have the best part of the day for negotiation before the afternoon rush. Avoid arriving after 3 PM when some inner stalls begin to close.
Payment: Cash or WeChat Pay / Alipay
Foreign credit and debit cards are rarely accepted. Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay before you arrive; both can now be linked to foreign bank cards. Bring RMB cash as a backup for small stalls. See our WeChat Pay guide for setup steps.
Request Samples Before Ordering
Most stalls sell sample swatches, a crucial step before committing to bulk. Check weight, stretch, and colour fastness in person. Ask the vendor to write the fabric composition on the swatch label, as this matters for customs and import compliance in many countries.
Language and Negotiation
Most vendors speak Mandarin or Cantonese. A few words of Mandarin, a translation app, and a printed product list in Chinese go a long way. Prices are almost always negotiable; comparing similar stalls before committing is both expected and smart. See our Chinese phrase guide.
Check Quality Carefully
Not all fabrics are as described. Run the fabric between your fingers, check the selvedge for consistency, and hold it to light to assess thread density. For large orders, consider arranging independent quality inspection before shipment, especially if you are importing into markets with strict labelling regulations such as the EU, UK, or Australia.
Avoid Chinese Public Holidays
Most stalls close for Chinese New Year (late January to mid-February) and for 3–7 days around National Day (1–7 October). Confirm with your suppliers before booking travel around these periods. See our Guangzhou event calendar for exact dates.
Hidden Pricing: The Shortage and the Paper Tube
Most guides don't mention this. Two local pricing practices at Zhongda can significantly increase your real cost per metre or kilogram if you don't know to ask about them.
The Paper Tube (纸桶 · zhǐ tǒng)
Knitted fabrics are rolled onto cardboard tubes that typically weigh 0.5 kg to 2 kg each. Many vendors include the tube weight in the total weight they charge you for. If you are buying per kilogram, you are paying fabric prices for cardboard.
Ask: "Is the tube weight included?" - and request net fabric weight only.
The Shortage (空差 · kōng chà)
A surcharge built into the quote where you pay for more fabric than you actually receive. A vendor quoting "30 RMB/kg (1+2)" means you pay for 1 kg tube weight and a shortage of 2 kg per roll. Buy 30 kg, receive 27 kg. Your real cost is 33.33 RMB/kg, not 30.
For woven fabrics quoted by the metre: "10 RMB/m (92)" means you receive 92 metres per 100 metres paid, a real cost of 10.87 RMB/m.
Ask for the: "Net Price" or "Jìng bù" (净布) - a transparent quote with no hidden shortfall.
These practices are standard across the district - not necessarily dishonest by local norms, but they catch uninformed buyers every time. Know the formula, ask for the net price, and factor real costs into your order calculations.
Questions to Ask Every Supplier
Vet vendors before you commit. These are the questions that separate reliable suppliers from ones who will cause problems at shipment.
Can I visit your warehouse here and your factory?
Ask for factory photos. A vendor with nothing to show is almost certainly a middleman - not necessarily a problem, but affects your pricing expectations and quality control options.
What is the Shortage (空差 / kōng chà) and Paper Tube (纸桶 / zhǐ tǒng) on this fabric? What is the net price (净布 / jìng bù)?
Asking this directly signals that you know how local pricing works. Reputable vendors will give you a straight answer.
What is the average weight of one roll?
Use this to back-calculate your true per-kg cost and verify whether the quoted shortage figure is accurate.
What is your MOQ? Do you have ready stock?
Minimum order quantities vary enormously, from a few metres to full roll minimums. Ready stock means faster shipment; custom orders typically require 2–4 weeks plus production lead time.
What is the lead time for custom colours and lab dips?
Custom colourways typically require a lab dip approval process before bulk production. Factor 1–3 weeks for lab dips plus production lead time into your order planning.
Where to Stay Near Zhongda
Staying in Haizhu District puts you minutes from the market. These options cover a range of budgets and are all within metro or walking distance of the main market buildings.
JI Hotel (Sun Yat-sen University)
Located directly in front of ZhongdaMen Market and close to ONEFABA. Metro Line 8 access makes Canton Fair day-trips easy. Surrounded by restaurants and convenience stores, practical for multi-day buying trips.
Pearl River International Hotel
Connected to Pearl River International Textile City - you can walk from your room to the market floor. Large rooms, a shopping mall attached. Ideal if you are concentrating your sourcing in that part of the district.
Wyndham Guangzhou (Wufeng)
International chain standards near Wufeng Station, close to Changjiang South, Pearl River International, and Fengkang Road. Good choice if you are planning to cover the full market district over several days.
Borrman Hotel (Canton Tower)
Near Sun Yat-sen University Metro Station with ONEFABA access. Reasonable rates for a functional, well-located stay without premium pricing. Good backup option when JI Hotel is full.
Yimi Hotel
Budget-friendly option directly in front of Pearl River International Textile City. No frills, but the location is hard to beat for buyers who want to maximise time in the market and minimise accommodation spend.
Rosewood Guangzhou
About 30 minutes from the market district but worth knowing about for buyers who prefer to stay in a premium city-centre property. Pearl River views, award-winning dining. The name carries weight when entertaining international partners.
Search Booking.com, Trip.com, or Ctrip for current rates. Prices in the district fluctuate significantly during Canton Fair periods (April and October).
Practical Information
Opening Hours
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Best visiting time: 9–12 AM on weekdays
Closed or reduced during major public holidays
Address
Zhongda Fabric Market District
Ruikang Road, Haizhu District
Guangzhou, Guangdong
广州市海珠区中大布匹市场
Metro Access
Line 8 → Zhongda Station (中大站), Exit A or B
Also reachable from Sun Yat-Sen University Station (Line 8) for the south end of the market
More Wholesale Markets
Explore Guangzhou's full range of wholesale districts.
View wholesale market guide →Canton Fair
Combine your Zhongda visit with Canton Fair sourcing - the two complement each other naturally.
Canton Fair guide →Hotels Near Zhongda
Find accommodation in Haizhu District or close to the Canton Fair Complex.
Guangzhou hotel guide →Mobile Payments
Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay on your foreign bank card before your visit. Most stalls don't accept international cards.
Payment guide for foreigners →Essential Apps
Baidu Maps or Amap for navigation inside the district. WeChat for payments and vendor communication.
China travel apps guide →Best For
Fashion designers · Garment factories · Textile wholesalers · Boutique owners · Small-quantity buyers · Canton Fair attendees sourcing fabric
Find Zhongda Fabric Market
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy fabric in small quantities at Zhongda?
Yes. While many shops operate on a wholesale basis, a number of vendors, particularly in the outer streets and smaller buildings, will sell from as little as 1 to 5 metres. It helps to ask directly, as minimums vary by stall and by fabric type. Expect higher per-metre prices on small quantities.
Do vendors at Zhongda speak English?
Most vendors speak Mandarin or Cantonese. English is limited, though improving among traders who regularly deal with international buyers. A translation app, a printed product list in Chinese, or a local sourcing agent will make negotiations significantly smoother. See our Chinese phrase guide for essential buying vocabulary.
Can I ship fabrics from Zhongda internationally?
Yes. Freight forwarders and logistics offices operate within and immediately around the district. Many handle consolidation, export documentation, and direct shipment to major importing countries. English-speaking staff are common given the volume of international trade passing through Zhongda.
What is the best time to visit Zhongda Fabric Market?
Arrive between 9 AM and 12 PM on a weekday. Crowds peak in the early afternoon. Avoid Chinese public holidays, in particular Chinese New Year, when most stalls close for one to two weeks, and the period around National Day (1–7 October). Check our Guangzhou event calendar before you book.
Which metro station is closest to Zhongda Fabric Market?
Take Metro Line 8 to Zhongda Station (中大站) and use Exit A or Exit B. The market district begins a short walk from the exit. Sun Yat-Sen University Station (also Line 8) is an alternative for the south end of the market, closer to some of the lace and embroidery specialist buildings.
Keep Exploring Guangzhou
Wholesale Markets Guide
All of Guangzhou's major wholesale districts in one guide
Canton Fair Guide
Plan your Canton Fair visit alongside a Zhongda sourcing trip
Guangzhou Metro Planner
Navigate Guangzhou by metro - Line 8 serves Zhongda directly
WeChat Pay for Foreigners
Set up mobile payments before you arrive - essential for the market
