Thirteen Factories (Shisanhang) Clothing Wholesale District: Guangzhou's Historic & Trendy Fashion Hub

Located in the Xiguan area of Guangzhou, centered on Shisanhang Road, the Thirteen Factories (Shisanhang) Clothing Wholesale District is not only a witness to Guangzhou's centuries-old foreign trade history but also one of the city's most renowned and time-honored clothing wholesale clusters. Evolving from the historic "Thirteen Hongs" that monopolized China's foreign trade during the Qing Dynasty, this district has transformed into a vibrant hub specializing in trendy women's wear, with supporting men's clothing and accessories markets. Covering an area centered on Shisanhang Road and surrounded by Guyi Street, Doulan Upper Street, Heping East Road, and Jianglan Road, it has become the longest-standing clothing wholesale distribution center in Guangzhou, attracting domestic and international buyers with its unique blend of history, fashion, and cost-effectiveness.

1. From Historic Foreign Trade Hub to Fashion Wholesale Cluster

The name "Thirteen Factories" (Shisanhang) originated from the Qing Dynasty, referring to the thirteen licensed foreign trade merchants in Guangzhou's foreign trade concession, a legacy from the Ming Dynasty. Initially, these merchants acted as intermediaries between the Qing government and foreign traders, monopolizing China's foreign trade after the Qing Dynasty implemented a closed-door policy in 1757, leaving Guangzhou as the sole foreign trade port. During its heyday, merchants from countries such as Britain, the United States, Austria, Prussia, Denmark, France, Sweden, and Portugal established offices here, making it a global trade center. Wealthy merchants like Wu Bingjian, who ran the Yihe Hang (Ewo Hong), became one of the world's top ten richest people at that time, with a family fortune estimated at 26 million silver dollars (about 5 billion RMB today).

After the Opium War and the Second Opium War, the Thirteen Factories' glory faded due to the opening of multiple trading ports and the destruction of the area by fires. However, since the late 20th century, Shisanhang Road has been reborn as a clothing wholesale street, inheriting the district's commercial vitality and evolving into the core of Guangzhou's trendy clothing wholesale industry.

2. Core Positioning & Key Wholesale Markets

The Thirteen Factories Clothing Wholesale District is positioned as a mid-range trendy fashion hub, focusing on women's ready-to-wear, with a reputation for "fast fashion updates" and "diverse styles". It differentiates itself from other wholesale districts in Guangzhou with its rich historical context and concentrated trendy resources. The key markets in the cluster include:

• New China Building (Xin Zhong Guo Da Sha): The iconic landmark of the Thirteen Factories district, specializing in high-quality trendy women's wear. It gathers numerous well-known wholesale brands and is famous for its fashionable designs and fine craftsmanship, catering to mid-to-high-end retailers and online merchants.
• Meiyi City (Mei Yi Cheng): Focused on affordable trendy women's wear, with styles updated quickly to keep up with global fashion trends. Popular among small and medium-sized retailers for its cost-effectiveness and low minimum order quantity (MOQ).
• Hongbiantian Market (Hong Bian Tian): Specializes in casual and sweet-style women's wear, with a wide range of options including dresses, tops, and bottoms. It is a favorite destination for buyers targeting young consumer groups.
• Surrounding Streets (Guyi Street, Doulan Upper Street): These streets are lined with small and medium-sized wholesale stalls, offering a mix of men's clothing, women's clothing, and accessories. They support small-batch purchases, making them suitable for new retailers to test the market.

3. Floor-by-Floor & Zone-by-Zone Sourcing Guide

The Thirteen Factories district's layout is centered on Shisanhang Road, with each market having clear category divisions to facilitate efficient sourcing:

• New China Building: 1st-3rd floors: Trendy women's wear wholesale; 4th-6th floors: Brand women's wear and designer collections; 7th floor and above: Office areas and exhibition spaces for new product launches.
• Meiyi City: 1st floor: Basic women's wear and accessories; 2nd-4th floors: Trendy women's wear (dresses, tops, bottoms); 5th floor: Plus-size women's wear zone.
• Hongbiantian Market: 1st-2nd floors: Casual women's wear; 3rd floor: Sweet-style women's wear and matching sets; 4th floor: Wholesale of bags and shoes.
• Surrounding Streets: Guyi Street: Men's clothing and casual wear; Doulan Upper Street: Accessories (jewelry, scarves, hats); Heping East Road: Bulk clothing wholesale.

4. Practical Sourcing Guidelines

4.1 Business Hours & Transportation

• Hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday-Sunday); Peak hours are 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, when new arrivals are most abundant and merchants are most active. Some stalls may close earlier on weekends.
• Location & Transportation: Address: Centered on Shisanhang Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou. Near Shisanhang Bus Station, accessible via bus routes 61, 102, 103, 106, etc. Subway: Take Line 6 to Cultural Park Station (Exit D), then walk about 500 meters to reach the district. Self-driving is not recommended due to limited parking spaces; public transportation is preferred.

4.2 Purchasing Rules & Price Ranges

• MOQ Requirements: Most stalls accept mixed batches of 3-5 pieces per style/color. For bulk orders (50+ pieces), prices can be negotiated for additional discounts. Some small stalls on the surrounding streets support small-batch purchases of 1-2 pieces.
• Price Range: Mid-range women's wear: ¥80-¥300 per piece; Affordable trendy styles: ¥50-¥150 per piece; Brand women's wear in New China Building: ¥200-¥500 per piece; Accessories: ¥20-¥100 per piece. Prices vary by fabric, craftsmanship, and brand.
• Payment & Returns: Cash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay are the main payment methods; some large stalls accept bank transfers for bulk orders. Return policies vary by merchant – most accept returns for defective products within 7 days, but it is advised to confirm in writing before placing orders.

4.3 Sourcing Tips for New Buyers

• Use professional wholesale terminology (e.g., "What's the bulk price for this style?" instead of "How much is this?") to get authentic wholesale prices and avoid being quoted retail prices.
• Start with New China Building for high-quality trendy styles, then visit Meiyi City and Hongbiantian Market for cost-effective options. Compare prices and quality across 2-3 stalls before making a decision.
• Visit 1-2 months before seasonal changes to purchase pre-season new arrivals, which not only have a wider selection but also more room for price negotiation.
• Take time to explore the surrounding streets after visiting the main markets, where you can find unique accessories and small-batch men's clothing to complement your product range.

5. FAQ for First-Time Buyers