Getting Around Jinhua: A Practical Guide
Jinhua is a prefecture-level city in central-western Zhejiang and a genuine land-transport hub, sitting between China's coastal cities and the interior. For a visitor, that means the city is easy to reach and reasonably easy to move around — though the network takes a little decoding, since Jinhua's rail and transit systems are spread across a few different stations and a suburban rail line that reaches well beyond the city itself.
Orienting Yourself
Jinhua's built-up urban area is made up of two central districts, with the satellite city of Lanxi now functioning as a suburban offshoot of the main urban area. The Jinhua or Wu River runs through the region, and the city sits at the centre of Zhejiang, bordering Hangzhou to the northwest, Quzhou to the southwest, Lishui to the south, Taizhou to the east and Shaoxing to the northeast. Most of what a visitor wants — the main railway station, the central bus station, hotels and commercial streets — clusters around the city centre.
Rail: Two Stations, Two Jobs
Jinhua has two main railway stations, and knowing which one you want saves a lot of confusion.
- Jinhua Railway Station sits right in the city centre and is easily reached by bus or taxi. It handles conventional train routes to nearby cities, and it is also the departure point for high-speed services. High-speed trains generally leave from the North Station Hall, while conventional trains use the South Station Hall.
- Jinhua South Railway Station lies on the southern outskirts and is the major hub for high-speed rail, connecting Jinhua to cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo. It is reachable by taxi or local buses.
As a rule of thumb: if you're heading out on a high-speed train, check whether you're departing from the main station or the South station before you set off. The main station opens early in the morning and stays open until final arrivals near midnight, with ticketing halls open through the day and overnight waiting rooms for late trains. Jinhua South closes after its last high-speed train, around 23:00.
Buying tickets is straightforward at station counters, and the main station has customer service centres, elevators, escalators, electronic displays and bilingual announcements. Newer underground stops have platform screen doors. Parking is available at the major stations.
Metro and Suburban Rail
Jinhua's rail transit system is a suburban rapid transit network rather than a dense city metro. It is T-shaped and connects Jinhua with Yiwu and Dongyang, running mostly on elevated viaducts with some underground sections, crossing rivers and mountain areas along the way. Trains are fast and the end-to-end journey on local services takes roughly an hour and a half.
- Line 1 (Jinyi Line) runs from Jinhua Railway Station east to Qintang in Yiwu.
- Line 2 (Yidong Line) runs south to Hengdian in Dongyang.
- The two lines meet at Qintang Station in Yiwu, where cross-platform transfers happen on the same level.
For a visitor, the most useful stops are Jinhua Railway Station, which links to national rail and buses, and Yiwu International Trade Center Station, handy for the wholesale markets. Hengdian Studios runs free shuttles from the Ming & Qing Palaces station to the park gates, which makes a day trip to the film studios practical without a car.
Tickets and fares: fares are distance-based and inexpensive. You can buy single-ride plastic tokens from machines or ticket windows, use the Jinhua Transit IC Card (also valid on city buses), or pay by mobile via Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay QuickPass or QR codes. Children under 1.2 m ride free with an adult, and seniors, students and disabled passengers receive discounts or free rides.
Hours: trains run daily from roughly 06:00 to 22:00, with first departures from the termini around 06:30 and intervals of about ten minutes for most of the day. Stations close shortly after 22:00, so plan your last trip accordingly.
Buses
Buses are the workhorse of local transport and the cheapest way to get around. The city bus system is extensive and affordable, with fares typically around ¥1–2, and modern air-conditioned buses cover most major areas and attractions. Buses can get crowded at peak hours.
Several long-distance bus stations serve different directions:
- West Bus Station (2289 Huancheng West Road, west of the railway station) — main departure point for buses to Lanxi and surrounding cities.
- East Bus Station — buses to Yiwu and other eastern destinations.
- South Bus Station — a major transport hub with services to Wuyi, Yongkang, Lanxi, Pan'an, Hengdian, Nanma, Tangxian, Xinwo, Songyang, Xiaoshan Airport, Ningbo Airport and further afield, plus local buses to Tangxi, Langya, Changshan, Shiqiao, Yangbu and Jiangdong. Bus No. 19 connects the Railway Station with the South Bus Station.
Intercity buses from Jinhua Bus Station in the city centre run frequently to Hangzhou, Yiwu, Wenzhou and Shanghai. Buses are generally cheaper than trains, though travel times vary.
Useful city routes include Route 1 (Jinhua Railway Station through the city centre to Nanyuan), Route 5 (connecting Jinhua East and West Stations via commercial and residential areas), Route 9 (the industrial zone and surrounding business centres) and Route 19 (city centre to suburban and rural areas). Several attractions are directly reachable by bus: Xunyang Tower on bus No. 1 or 15, the Folks Culture Village on bus No. 32, and Wuzhou Park on bus No. 16 or 20. Most rail transit stations have bus stops or hubs nearby; Jinhua Railway Station is served by a wide range of bus lines.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available and can be hailed on the street or booked through apps such as Didi Chuxing. They are more expensive than buses or trains for short trips but faster and more convenient over longer distances, and fares rise during peak traffic. For a visitor, taxis are the simplest option for reaching Jinhua South Railway Station or for late-night arrivals.
One practical caution: English proficiency among taxi drivers and transport staff varies. Carry written or translated addresses, and lean on translation apps or hotel staff for help. Navigation around the city is generally manageable — major roads and landmarks are clear — but smaller streets and alleys can be confusing, so keep a map or GPS handy.
Cycling and Walking
Cycling is a convenient and environmentally friendly way to explore. Many major roads have bike lanes and traffic is generally not too heavy, making it a safe and pleasant option. Some hostels and hotels rent bicycles for around ¥20 per day, and shared bikes are widely available via mobile apps, typically starting at about ¥1 per half hour, with pick-up and drop-off at various locations, especially near parks and attractions.
Be aware that shared bikes require registration, usually needing a Chinese phone number or local ID for verification, which can limit access for short-term foreign visitors. If you can register, it's a flexible way to explore at a leisurely pace.
Walking is feasible in the city centre, with well-maintained sidewalks, but it is impractical for long distances. Expect to combine walking with buses, taxis or the rail transit for anything beyond a short stroll.
Getting In from the Airport
Jinhua itself has no major airport. The nearest option is Yiwu Airport (YIW), about 45 km from downtown Jinhua. A taxi takes roughly 50 minutes and costs around ¥100–150, and airport shuttle buses are also available, including direct shuttles to the city centre. Yiwu Airport offers domestic flights and some international flights. Alternatively, you can reach Yiwu by high-speed train from Jinhua and then take a taxi or shuttle onward, or use a direct long-distance bus.
For international arrivals, two larger airports serve Jinhua:
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) — a major international airport about 150 km from Jinhua. You can take a high-speed train onward to Jinhua in about an hour, with tickets around ¥50–100. From the airport, take a high-speed train to Hangzhou East and then an airport bus or Metro Line 1 to connect.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) — an important international hub in East China, about 250 km from Jinhua. A high-speed train runs directly from Pudong Airport to Jinhua in about two hours, with tickets around ¥150–250.
Note that there is no ferry service from Jinhua, as it is an inland city; the nearest ferry ports are Ningbo and Wenzhou.
Practical Tips
- Carry written or translated addresses for taxi drivers and use translation apps where possible.
- Keep a map or GPS on hand — major landmarks are clear, but smaller streets can be confusing.
- Plan around the rail transit's early evening shutdown; last trains leave the termini around 21:20–22:00.
- Buses are the cheapest option; taxis and ride-hailing are best for longer or time-sensitive trips.
- If you plan to use shared bikes, sort out registration requirements before you arrive.