From smoky barbecue grills to colorful fruit stalls, it was a little evening food adventure during my work trip to China.
Previously, I shared about my first trip to China a few years ago for work and where we stayed: at Yiwu Marriott Hotel.
We managed to squeeze in a quick trip to a nearby market. Nothing fancy or meticulously planned. Just an evening out to see what was around, grab something to eat, and explore a little beyond the usual work-and-hotel routine.
And honestly, these are the kinds of little travel experiences I enjoy documenting.
I'm always curious about what people eat in other countries, especially the street food and fresh produce you don't usually find back home in the Philippines. There's something about walking past food stalls, seeing everything being cooked right in front of you, and not knowing what you'll end up trying.
This particular visit was all about the grilled meat skewers, the colorful fruit displays, and the atmosphere of the market after dark.
Here are some snapshots from that evening in Yiwu.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- A quick evening at the market
- The grilled meat skewers
- The colorful fruit stalls
- How to get there
- Travel tips for visiting Yiwu markets
QUICK FACTS: YIWU MARKET FOOD TRIP
| Destination | Yiwu, Zhejiang, China |
| Experience | Evening market visit and street food |
| Best for | Casual food exploring and market photography |
| Admission | Generally free for public street markets; food purchases are separate |
The exact market and date of my visit are not confirmed, so this is a personal photo diary rather than a review of a specific named market.
A Quick Evening at the Market
The market had that lively nighttime atmosphere, with food stalls lit up against the dark sky and people moving around between the different vendors.
One thing I remember about traveling in China is how much there is to discover just by walking around. Even when you're not specifically looking for a tourist attraction, there's always something interesting happening nearby.
For this quick visit, I was drawn to the food stalls, especially the ones with grills lined up and meat being cooked right in front of everyone.
You could see the smoke rising from the grills, the vendors preparing the food, and rows of skewers waiting to be cooked. It was the kind of setup that immediately makes you curious about what everything tastes like.
And of course, I couldn't resist taking a few photos.
Perfectly Grilled Meat Skewers
Now, this was probably my favorite part of the market visit.
The grilled meat skewers!
There were rows and rows of meat laid out on the grills, with the vendor working over the heat and smoke rising as everything cooked. I love watching food being prepared right in front of you, especially when it's something freshly grilled.
The skewers looked so good, with the meat getting that lovely charred finish from the grill. And the seasoning! That's one of the things I appreciate about street food in China. The combination of grilling, spices, and seasoning gives the food so much character.
These are the kinds of dishes that are best enjoyed hot off the grill, when the meat is still warm and the seasoning is freshly applied.
I didn't document the exact meat varieties or the name of the stall, so I won't pretend to remember which cuts we had. But looking back at these photos, I can almost imagine the smoky aroma all over again.
Colorful Fruit Stalls and Fresh Finds
Aside from the barbecue, the fruit stalls were another thing that caught my attention.
Just look at all those colors!
There were trays and trays of fruits displayed in different sections, from the bright orange citrus fruits to the red produce and other varieties arranged across the stalls.
I always enjoy browsing fresh markets when I travel. It's interesting to see which fruits are readily available, how they're displayed, and which varieties differ from what we usually see in the Philippines.
Some of the produce in these photos looked familiar, while others were the kind of finds that made me stop and take another picture.
I won't identify every fruit because I didn't record their exact names during the visit, but the colorful displays alone made the market worth photographing.
One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering little differences like these.
Even something as ordinary as buying fruit can feel like a new experience when you're in another country. Different varieties, different displays, and sometimes fruits you don't normally come across at home.
And if you're anything like me, you might end up taking more photos of the produce than you originally intended!
The fruit stalls were a nice contrast to the smoky barbecue area. One moment you're looking at meat being grilled over an open flame, and the next you're surrounded by colorful trays of fresh produce.
It's a small glimpse of the everyday market scene, and exactly the sort of thing I like keeping in my travel photo diaries.
HOW TO GET THERE
Santing Road Night Market (三挺路夜市)
Binwang commercial area, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China (Google Maps)
A useful starting point for travelers looking for Yiwu's street food and night market scene.
How to get there:
- From Yiwu Marriott Hotel, check the route to the market using your preferred map app. A taxi or ride-hailing service may be convenient, depending on your exact destination and traffic.
- Show the driver the Chinese name 三挺路夜市 or the location pin.
- From Yiwu Railway Station or Yiwu Airport, arrange a transfer to your hotel first or check the direct route to the market.
I haven't confirmed that Santing Road Night Market was the market in my photographs. Use the link as a separate visitor reference, not as a verified pin for my original visit.
A FEW TIPS FOR VISITING MARKETS IN YIWU
If you're planning a trip to Yiwu, especially if you're visiting for business and staying around the Futian area, a market visit can be a nice way to spend an evening after your workday.
Yiwu has several night markets. Santing Road Night Market, also known as Binwang Night Market, is one of the city's established evening market areas, with food stalls and other vendors.
1. Go in the evening
Yiwu's night markets typically become active after dark. Santing Road is documented as an evening destination, with food and shopping stalls operating into the night. Exact hours vary by stall and season.
2. Bring a translation app
If you don't speak Mandarin, having a translation app ready can help you ask about ingredients, prices, and spice levels.
3. Check ingredients and food allergies
Meat skewers can vary in meat type, seasoning, and preparation. Ask the vendor what the skewers contain, especially if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.
4. Check payment options
Mobile payments are widely used in China. Before leaving your country, check which payment apps and international card options are available to you, and keep an alternative payment method.
5. Ask before photographing vendors
The market makes for great photography, but if you're taking close-up portraits of vendors or customers, ask permission first.
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My Take
Looking back at these photos, I wish I had documented more details about the market, especially the names of the food stalls and the different fruits we came across.
But that's also part of keeping a travel blog for so many years. Sometimes, all you have are the photos and the memories of being there.
This was just a quick evening stop during a work trip, but it's one of those little experiences that reminds me why I enjoy traveling in the first place.
I love discovering places through food, whether it's a restaurant I've been wanting to try or a random market I happen to come across. And in this case, it was all about the smoky grilled skewers, colorful fruit displays, and getting a glimpse of everyday life in Yiwu.
Definitely one of those simple travel memories worth keeping.
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