Table of Contents
- Overview: Key Facts at a Glance
- Two Ways: HSR vs. Light Rail Comparison
- Option 1: High-Speed Train (Recommended)
- Jack’s Advice: When to Transfer at Yiwu
- Option 2: Light Rail Direct (No Booking Needed)
- Station → Hengdian World Studios Transfer
- Hengdian World Studios: What to See
- Practical Tips for the Yiwu–Hengdian Route
- Where to Go After Hengdian
Yiwu to Hengdian: 15 Minutes on Hangzhou – Wenzhou HSR
The fastest way from Yiwu to Hengdian World Studios is a 15-minute high-speed train ride — ¥22, 25+ trains daily. Since September 2024, the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway has linked Yiwu Railway Station (义乌站) directly to Hengdian Railway Station (横店站), turning what used to be a 1.5-hour bus ride into a quick hop. There’s also a light-rail-only option for ¥10 if you’re not in a rush.
- Journey time: ~15 minutes by HSR, ~40 minutes by light rail
- Daily trains: 25+ HSR trains, plus light rail every ~10 minutes
- 2nd class fare: ~¥22 (HSR), ~¥10 (light rail)
- Departure station: Yiwu Railway Station (义乌站, Yìwū Zhàn)
- Arrival: Hengdian Railway Station (横店站, Héngdiàn Zhàn)
- Opened: September 6, 2024 (Hangzhou-Wenzhou HSR line)
Two Ways to Get from Yiwu to Hengdian
You have two options — the HSR is faster, the light rail is cheaper. Neither requires leaving the station complex to transfer.
| Option | Time | Fare | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Speed Train | ~15 min | ¥22 (2nd), ¥35 (1st), ¥77 (business) | 25+ daily, ~every 20–60 min | Quickest door-to-door, connects from long-distance HSR arrivals |
| Light Rail (Jinhua RT) | ~40 min | ~¥10 | Every ~10 min, 6:00–21:30 | Budget travelers, no need to book, more stops near Yiwu city center |
Option 1: High-Speed Train (Recommended)
The Yiwu–Hengdian segment is one of the shortest HSR hops in China — 15 minutes on the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway (杭温高铁), a 276 km line with a 350 km/h design speed that opened in September 2024.
Key Facts
- Distance: ~25 km by rail
- Trains per day (2025-2026): 25+ in each direction — trains run from ~6:40 AM to ~21:00 PM
- Train types: G-series (high-speed), D-series (conventional动车), and C-series (intercity) all serve this short hop
- Tickets: No need to book weeks ahead — this is a short commuter segment. Even same-day purchase works for most departures. But during Chinese holidays (Spring Festival, National Day Oct 1–7, May Day), book 1–2 days ahead
- Seating: Pick 2nd class for a 15-min ride. Business class at ¥77 for 15 minutes is unnecessary unless you’re racking up Trip.com loyalty points
Sample Trains: Yiwu → Hengdian
These are real trains from the 2025-2026 timetable. Times may shift slightly by season — always confirm on Trip.com or 12306.
| Train | Depart Yiwu | Arrive Hengdian | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3677 | 07:25 | 07:40 | 15 min | Hangzhou West → Wenzhou North |
| D377 | 10:19 | 10:36 | 17 min | Shanghai South → Shenzhen North |
| G7581 | 11:19 | 11:34 | 15 min | Nanjing South → Cangnan |
| C3611 | 12:11 | 12:27 | 16 min | Shanghai Hongqiao → Hengdian |
| G7397 | 16:26 | 16:43 | 17 min | Hangzhou East → Wenzhou North |
| C3277 | 18:43 | 18:58 | 15 min | Shanghai Hongqiao → Wenzhou North |
Sample Trains: Hengdian → Yiwu (Return)
| Train | Depart Hengdian | Arrive Yiwu | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2026 | 06:43 | 06:58 | 15 min | Hengdian → Xi’an North |
| C3614 | 07:48 | 08:03 | 15 min | Hengdian → Shanghai Hongqiao |
| G1628 | 10:07 | 10:39 | ~16 min (run time) | Fuzhou → Shanghai South |
| G2590 | 13:13 | 13:28 | 15 min | Hengdian → Beijing South |
Check Live Train Schedule
 | Hangzhou to Hengdian train, Shanghai to Hengdian train, Yiwu to Hengdian train, Check live schedule. |
 | Hotels near Hengdian World Studios (Northeast Gate) |
 | Hengdian World Studios (Tickets for Ming & Qing Dynasty Palaces, Qin Palace, Qingming Riverside Scenery) |
Jack’s Advice: When to Consider a Yiwu Transfer
Hengdian Station is on only one HSR line — the Hangzhou-Wenzhou HSR. Yiwu sits where two major lines cross, making it the best transfer hub for Hengdian. If your city has no direct train (or very few), just get to Yiwu first and take the 15-min ¥22 hop.
This applies to quite a few cities. Beijing has only one daily direct train (G2590) — take any of the 20+ Beijing→Yiwu trains instead. Nanjing‘s three direct trains all run in the morning; via Yiwu you get 10+ options all day. Ningbo, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou have no direct trains at all — all have frequent service to Yiwu (~1.5–3h). Hefei has just 1–2 direct trains; Hefei→Yiwu is more reliable. From Guangzhou or Shenzhen, take one train to Yiwu (~6–7h) — avoid transferring at Hangzhou, which has three separate stations spread across the city. Yiwu is one compact station, one easy transfer.
Option 2: Light Rail Direct (No Booking Needed)
Here’s something most travel guides miss: you don’t actually need a train ticket to get from Yiwu to Hengdian. The Jinhua Rail Transit (金华轨道交通) light rail system connects Yiwu Railway Station directly to Hengdian World Studios in one continuous ride.
- Route: Yiwu Railway Station (义乌高铁站) → Ming & Qing Palaces Station (明清宫站) on the Yidong Line (义东段)
- Journey time: ~40 minutes, 14 stops
- Fare: ~¥10 — tap in/out with Alipay transport QR code
- Frequency: Every ~10 minutes, no booking required
- Hours: ~6:00–21:30 (last train from Ming & Qing Palaces back around 21:00)
- Why take it: If your schedule doesn’t line up with HSR times, or you’re staying near Yiwu city center (International Trade City area). The light rail has stations throughout Yiwu city — Lingyun (凌云), Chunhan (春晗), International Trade City (国际商贸城) — so you don’t even need to start at the railway station.
The trade-off: 40 minutes vs. 15 minutes. For an extra 25 minutes you save ¥12 and skip the ticket-booking step entirely. If you’re already at Yiwu Railway Station and there’s an HSR train departing soon, take the train. If you’re in Yiwu city center and the next HSR isn’t for an hour, hop on the light rail.
For a detailed breakdown of the entire light rail system — station list, transfer at Qintang, express trains — see the Hengdian Railway Station guide. The official website of Jinhua Rail Transit: www.jhmtr.net (only in Chinese).
Getting to Hengdian World Studios from the Station
Once you arrive at Hengdian Railway Station, the studios are ~9 km away. See the full Hengdian station guide for the complete breakdown. Here’s the short version:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Rail | 3–5 min | ¥2 | 1 stop to Ming & Qing Palaces Station. Integrated into the HSR station (B2 level). Best option. |
| Bus 8 (Tourist Shuttle) | 25–35 min | ¥2 | Runs ~6:30–18:00. Other routes: 17, K201, K301, K316. |
| Taxi / Didi | 15–20 min | ~¥20–35 | Designated pick-up area outside station exit. |
Hengdian World Studios: What to See
Hengdian World Studios (横店影视城) is the world’s largest film studio complex — 13 filming bases across 30+ square kilometers. Filming location for The Untamed (陈情令), Joy of Life (庆余年), Empresses in the Palace (甄嬛传), and Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜).
Major Scenic Areas
| Scenic Area | Theme/Era | Single Ticket (¥) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ming & Qing Palaces (明清宫苑) | 1:1 Forbidden City replica | ~175 | Imperial palace sets, horse battle show, closest to light rail |
| Qin Palace (秦王宫) | Qin Dynasty — Xianyang Palace | ~195 | 4D ride, 99 Steps, Hero & Joy of Life filming location |
| Qingming Riverside Scene (清明上河图) | Song Dynasty — recreated painting | ~185 | Riverside streets, The Untamed filming location |
| Guangzhou St · Hong Kong St (广州街·香港街) | 1840s Canton & colonial HK | ~185 | Best at night, neon-lit streets, Republic-era photos |
| Dream Valley (梦幻谷) | Night theme park + water park | ~190 | Night shows, fireworks, summer water park |
| Dream Bund (梦外滩) | 1930s Old Shanghai | ~190 | Tram rides, Bund atmosphere |
Combo tickets save serious money: A 2-day pass (any 4 scenic areas) costs ~¥468 — vs. ¥700+ buying individually. The 3-day pass (Dream Valley + any 4 areas) at ~¥510 is the best value. Student tickets are half-price with valid ID. Book on Trip.com or the “横店影视城” WeChat mini-program (Chinese only — use WeChat’s built-in image translate).
For a full breakdown of all 13 scenic areas, show schedules, hanfu rental tips, and getting around between parks, see the Hengdian Railway Station guide.
Practical Tips for the Yiwu–Hengdian Route
- Combine Yiwu Market + Hengdian in one trip: This is the smart itinerary most tourists miss. Hit the Yiwu International Trade City (义乌国际商贸城) in the morning — it’s the world’s largest wholesale market and a surreal experience even if you don’t buy anything. Take the light rail from International Trade City Station south to Hengdian in the afternoon. The light rail literally connects both destinations on one line.
- Yiwu Railway Station is under renovation (2024–2026): The station has been undergoing a major expansion. Expect construction, temporary walkways, and possibly longer walks from the entrance to platforms. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, not 10. The light rail station within the HSR complex is operational and well-signed.
- No need to book Yiwu–Hengdian train weeks ahead: Unlike long-distance HSR routes, this 15-minute segment rarely sells out. Even same-day purchase works. Exception: Chinese public holidays — book 1–2 days ahead.
- Hengdian is a 2-day destination, not a day trip: The studios are massive. If you’re doing a day trip from Yiwu, pick 2 scenic areas max — we recommend Ming & Qing Palaces + Qin Palace, or Ming & Qing Palaces + Guangzhou/Hong Kong Street for a day-to-night experience. With a 2-day combo pass you can cover 4 areas comfortably.
- Last light rail back from Hengdian to Yiwu: ~21:00–21:30. If you stay for Dream Valley’s night shows (ending ~20:30–21:00), plan to take Didi back to Yiwu (~¥80–120, about 40 minutes) rather than relying on the last light rail.
- Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay work everywhere. The Jinhua light rail uses Alipay transport QR codes — set up the Transport module in Alipay before you arrive. Cash is rarely needed but carry ¥100 as backup.
- Best seasons: April–June and September–November. July–August is hot (35°C+) and crowded with domestic tourists. Winter is quieter and cheaper but outdoor shows may be canceled in rain/snow.
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
