Christmas Town: The Chinese City that Welcomes Muslim Refugees
In the Chinese trading town of Yiwu, a Muslim immigrant community has found a place to thrive. The city’s many halal restaurants, Arabic signboards, and grand mosque are a testament to the growth of the foreign community, which includes business owners, traders, and entrepreneurs from countries like Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. Here’s a look at this fascinatingly multicultural city.
Yiwu, a city of 1.2 million, is located in Zhejiang province in eastern China. It’s often called “China’s wholesale capital,” and is also sometimes known as “Christmas Town,” because it manufactures and exports 60% of the world’s Christmas decorations, as well as party supplies, plastic toys, electronics, and more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVw_3uXgILx/
Taking advantage of Chinese immigration laws aimed at attracting skilled workers, wealthy migrants and business owners from Arab countries have carved a space for themselves in Yiwu, transforming the city into a cultural melting pot where Chinese and Arab cultures meet.
The city’s foreign community is generally well-educated and business-savvy. Many are business owners who run their own factories or companies, and some work as traders, selling Yiwu’s goods back to their own countries.
However, Yiwu doesn’t just represent a business opportunity, it’s become a refuge for those looking to escape from the chaos of their native countries. In 2016, over half of the temporary residence permits issued by the Yiwu government were given to people from war-torn countries in the Middle East.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BULl8RpgAON/
That said, for all its positives, Yiwu is not Eden for migrants. Many foreigners are wary about their long-term prospects in China because the path to permanent citizenship seems out of reach. In order to apply for permanent residency, candidates need to have lived in China for four consecutive years, draw an annual salary of at least 600,000 RMB (US$87,000), and pay an annual income tax of over 120,000 RMB ($17,000). In 2016, only 1,576 foreigners obtained permanent residency in all of China.
Then there’s the fact that the Chinese economy is changing. In recent years, Yiwu’s exports have fallen, and the city is trying to restructure its economy. In addition to exporting commodities, it’s slowly starting to import goods from other countries to meet domestic consumption. Of course, the city’s foreign community will have to change along with it, in order to gain a foothold in a rapidly transforming world.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
