Source Apparel from China
From Guangzhou's Shisanhang wholesale district to Keqiao's textile ocean. China produces one-third of the world's clothing.
Apparel Manufacturing in China
China produces approximately 30% of the world's apparel by volume. Guangdong province alone has over 40,000 garment manufacturers. The supply chain runs from raw fabric production in Keqiao (Shaoxing) through cut-and-sew in Guangzhou and Dongguan to finishing and export logistics.
Guangzhou's Shisanhang district is the largest garment wholesale market in China, while Keqiao's textile market spans 4.2 million square metres with over 30,000 fabric suppliers. Humen in Dongguan is the women's fashion capital. Each city occupies a distinct position in the apparel supply chain.
CHINA'S SHARE OF GLOBAL APPAREL & TEXTILES
Global apparel production (by volume)30%
Global textile fibre output50%
Fabric varieties in Keqiao market85%
China's garment exports (2024)US$159B
Sources: Industry data, 2024-2025 estimates
Top Apparel Sourcing Cities
Ranked by supply chain depth, factory density, and export track record
Guangzhou
Sourcing guide
Dongguan
Sourcing guide
Hangzhou
Sourcing guide
Learn More About Each Sourcing City
Click a city to see what makes it a key player in the electronics supply chain
Guangzhou is the commercial heart of China's apparel industry. Shisanhang is one of the country's best-known garment wholesale hubs, handling huge daily trading volumes across fast fashion, ready-to-wear, and trend-led apparel. The city's strength lies in rapid product turnover, low-MOQ sampling, and dense clustering of fabric markets, trim suppliers, and garment finishing operations within a compact urban area.
For importers, Guangzhou is the right starting point when sourcing fashion products that need speed, variety, and flexible order sizes. It works especially well for boutiques, e-commerce sellers, and buyers testing new styles. If you need to move from sample development to larger-scale production, nearby Dongguan and other Pearl River Delta factory clusters can support the next step.
Guangzhou is the commercial heart of China's apparel industry. Shisanhang is one of the country's best-known garment wholesale hubs, handling huge daily trading volumes across fast fashion, ready-to-wear, and trend-led apparel. The city's strength lies in rapid product turnover, low-MOQ sampling, and dense clustering of fabric markets, trim suppliers, and garment finishing operations within a compact urban area.
For importers, Guangzhou is the right starting point when sourcing fashion products that need speed, variety, and flexible order sizes. It works especially well for boutiques, e-commerce sellers, and buyers testing new styles. If you need to move from sample development to larger-scale production, nearby Dongguan and other Pearl River Delta factory clusters can support the next step.
Dongguan's garment industry is concentrated in specialist manufacturing towns. Humen is known for women's fashion and dense factory networks, while Dalang is one of China's best-known knitwear centres. Across the city, apparel factories focus on export-oriented production, covering cut-and-sew operations, knitting, finishing, packaging, and compliance-ready manufacturing.
For importers, Dongguan is the right call when you need higher-volume apparel production with stronger factory execution and export experience. It is especially suitable for buyers moving beyond wholesale purchasing into OEM or private-label manufacturing. A practical workflow is to identify styles and market trends in Guangzhou first, then shift to Dongguan for production quotes, sampling follow-up, and factory verification.
Dongguan's garment industry is concentrated in specialist manufacturing towns. Humen is known for women's fashion and dense factory networks, while Dalang is one of China's best-known knitwear centres. Across the city, apparel factories focus on export-oriented production, covering cut-and-sew operations, knitting, finishing, packaging, and compliance-ready manufacturing.
For importers, Dongguan is the right call when you need higher-volume apparel production with stronger factory execution and export experience. It is especially suitable for buyers moving beyond wholesale purchasing into OEM or private-label manufacturing. A practical workflow is to identify styles and market trends in Guangzhou first, then shift to Dongguan for production quotes, sampling follow-up, and factory verification.
Hangzhou combines fashion commerce with China's strongest digital retail infrastructure. As the home of Alibaba, it sits at the centre of Taobao, Tmall, and broader e-commerce operations that shape fashion demand and product velocity across China. The city is also a major live-streaming hub, with studios, creator networks, and fashion-focused content ecosystems that support rapid online product testing and sales.
For importers, Hangzhou is relevant when sourcing apparel designed for digital-first selling, trend responsiveness, and cross-border e-commerce channels. It is especially useful for brands and sellers operating on online marketplaces or social commerce platforms. Nearby Keqiao strengthens the proposition by providing one of China's deepest fabric supply chains for apparel development and sourcing.
Hangzhou combines fashion commerce with China's strongest digital retail infrastructure. As the home of Alibaba, it sits at the centre of Taobao, Tmall, and broader e-commerce operations that shape fashion demand and product velocity across China. The city is also a major live-streaming hub, with studios, creator networks, and fashion-focused content ecosystems that support rapid online product testing and sales.
For importers, Hangzhou is relevant when sourcing apparel designed for digital-first selling, trend responsiveness, and cross-border e-commerce channels. It is especially useful for brands and sellers operating on online marketplaces or social commerce platforms. Nearby Keqiao strengthens the proposition by providing one of China's deepest fabric supply chains for apparel development and sourcing.
How to Source Apparel Product from China
Four ways to find apparel suppliers. Most successful importers use multiple approaches at different stages.
Search on 1688
Search on 1688
1688 is Alibaba’s domestic B2B marketplace — where Chinese factories trade with each other. For apparel, that means fabric prices, garment factory MOQs, and access to Guangzhou’s wholesale pricing that Alibaba.com doesn’t show you.
How to Find Apparel Suppliers on 1688
1
Search in Chinese
Use product names in Chinese (e.g. 女装 for womenswear, 男装 for menswear). WorldFirst’s AI Sourcing Agent translates for you.
2
Filter by apparel hubs
Set the supplier location filter to Guangzhou (广州), Keqiao (柯桥), or Dongguan (东莞).
3
Check factory badges
Look for 实力商家 (verified merchant) and 源头工厂 (source factory) tags. For apparel, check for production line photos.
4
Verify before paying
Cross-check the business registration. Pay through 1688 World Pay for CNY payment protection.
1688 is Alibaba’s domestic B2B marketplace — where Chinese factories trade with each other. For apparel, that means fabric prices, garment factory MOQs, and access to Guangzhou’s wholesale pricing that Alibaba.com doesn’t show you.
How to Find Guangzhou
Suppliers on 1688
1
Search in Chinese
Use product names in Chinese (e.g. 女装 for womenswear, 男装 for menswear). WorldFirst’s AI Sourcing Agent translates for you.
2
Filter by apparel hubs
Set the supplier location filter to Guangzhou (广州), Keqiao (柯桥), or Dongguan (东莞).
3
Check factory badges
Look for 实力商家 (verified merchant) and 源头工厂 (source factory) tags. For apparel, check for production line photos.
4
Verify before paying
Cross-check the business registration. Pay through 1688 World Pay for CNY payment protection.
1688 is Alibaba’s domestic B2B marketplace — where Chinese factories trade with each other. For apparel, that means fabric prices, garment factory MOQs, and access to Guangzhou’s wholesale pricing that Alibaba.com doesn’t show you.
How to Find Apparel Suppliers on 1688
1
Search in Chinese
Use product names in Chinese (e.g. 女装 for womenswear, 男装 for menswear). WorldFirst’s AI Sourcing Agent translates for you.
2
Filter by apparel hubs
Set the supplier location filter to Guangzhou (广州), Keqiao (柯桥), or Dongguan (东莞).
3
Check factory badges
Look for 实力商家 (verified merchant) and 源头工厂 (source factory) tags. For apparel, check for production line photos.
4
Verify before paying
Cross-check the business registration. Pay through 1688 World Pay for CNY payment protection.
Trade Shows for Apparel
PHASE 1 STARTS IN 0 DAYS
Going to Canton Fair?
Phase 1APR 15 - 19Electronics, Machinery, Lighting
Phase 2APR 23 - 27Consumer Goods, Home, Gifts
Phase 3MAY 1 - 5Textiles, Apparel, Food
We're heading to Canton Fair, come join us.
Find us at Canton Fair
Countdown to
Canton Fair 2026 Spring
0
Days3
Hours59
Min36
SecOther Electronics Trade Shows 2026
All at or near Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou
MAR
12
MAR
14
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics
Fabrics, accessories, textile technology
ShanghaiAPR
18
APR
20
Keqiao Spring Textile Expo
Fabrics, textiles, printing
KeqiaoMAY
1
MAY
5
Canton Fair Phase 3
Textiles, apparel, food
GuangzhouSEP
25
SEP
27
Intertextile Shanghai (Autumn)
Fabrics, garment accessories
ShanghaiNOV
1
NOV
5
Canton Fair Phase 3 (Autumn)
Textiles, apparel, footwear
GuangzhouApparel Markets & Wholesale Districts
Key wholesale markets, factory districts, and production clusters for sourcing apparel products across China.
Shisanhang Wholesale District
十三行服装批发市场
China's largest garment wholesale hub. 13 buildings, 200,000+ garments traded daily.
Best for: Fast fashion, wholesale sourcing
广州市荔湾区十三行路
Zhongda Fabric Market
中大布料市场
Asia's largest fabric trading centre. Cotton, polyester, silk, functional fabrics.
Best for: Fabric sourcing, textile materials
广州市海珠区瓜岗路中大布匹市场
Keqiao China Textile City
柯桥中国轻纺城
World's largest textile trading centre. 30,000+ booths, every fabric type.
Best for: Bulk fabric, textile wholesale
绍兴市柯桥区中国轻纺城
Download the China Sourcing Map
A 300+ page sourcing report covering 6 regions, 20 sourcing cities, and 24 product categories — built from real supplier data and WorldFirst's 150,000+ factory network. Free for importers.
20 city deep dives with industrial cluster maps
24 category guides with pricing benchmarks
6 regional shipping and logistics guides
Supplier verification frameworks
Payment protection and landed cost guides
Download the China Sourcing Map
A 300+ page sourcing report covering 6 regions, 20 sourcing cities, and 24 product categories — built from real supplier data and WorldFirst's 150,000+ factory network. Free for importers.
Download the China Sourcing Map
A 300+ page sourcing report covering 6 regions, 20 sourcing cities, and 24 product categories — built from real supplier data and WorldFirst's 150,000+ factory network. Free for importers.
20 city deep dives with industrial cluster maps
24 category guides with pricing benchmarks
6 regional shipping and logistics guides
Supplier verification frameworks
Payment protection and landed cost guides
Apparel Sourcing FAQ
17 answers organised by topic
Instant & Free Payments to Verified Suppliers
When both you and your supplier hold a WorldFirst account, payments are faster, cheaper, and safer.
Instant arrival
Between WorldFirst accounts, payments arrive instantly. No middleman banks, no waiting.
Zero transfer fees
No transfer fees between WorldFirst accounts. Keep more of your margin on every order.
Verified suppliers
We verify your supplier holds a valid business license and export license before processing your payment.
Instant arrival and zero transfer fees apply to payments between WorldFirst accounts. Standard international transfers are also supported.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
Instant & Free Payments to Verified Suppliers
When both you and your supplier hold a WorldFirst account, payments are faster, cheaper, and safer.
Instant arrival
Between WorldFirst accounts, payments arrive instantly. No middleman banks, no waiting.
Zero transfer fees
No transfer fees between WorldFirst accounts. Keep more of your margin on every order.
Verified suppliers
We verify your supplier holds a valid business license and export license before processing your payment.
Instant arrival and zero transfer fees apply to payments between WorldFirst accounts. Standard international transfers are also supported.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
Instant & Free Payments to Verified Suppliers
When both you and your supplier hold a WorldFirst account, payments are faster, cheaper, and safer.
Instant arrival
Between WorldFirst accounts, payments arrive instantly. No middleman banks, no waiting.
Zero transfer fees
No transfer fees between WorldFirst accounts. Keep more of your margin on every order.
Verified suppliers
We verify your supplier holds a valid business license and export license before processing your payment.
Instant arrival and zero transfer fees apply to payments between WorldFirst accounts. Standard international transfers are also supported.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
Your Supplier Is Probably Already Here
WorldFirst is part of Ant International — one of the largest payment networks in Asia. Your money moves through local rails, not slow international wires.
1.5M+
Businesses on WorldFirst
150k+
Verified Chinese suppliers
200+
Countries & regions served
20+
Currencies supported
With 150,000+ verified Chinese suppliers already on the network, chances are yours is too. When they are, payments arrive instantly with zero transfer fees.
Your Supplier Is Probably Already Here
WorldFirst is part of Ant International — one of the largest payment networks in Asia. Your money moves through local rails, not slow international wires.
1.5M+
Businesses on WorldFirst
150k+
Verified Chinese suppliers
200+
Countries & regions served
20+
Currencies supported
Your Supplier Is Probably Already Here
WorldFirst is part of Ant International — one of the largest payment networks in Asia. Your money moves through local rails, not slow international wires.
1.5M+
Businesses on WorldFirst
150k+
Verified Chinese suppliers
200+
Countries & regions served
20+
Currencies supported
With 150,000+ verified Chinese suppliers already on the network, chances are yours is too. When they are, payments arrive instantly with zero transfer fees.
How It Works
1
Add your supplier’s details
Enter their company name and Chinese bank account number. We verify it against their business registration before your money moves.
2
Lock in your rate
See exactly what you’ll pay in your currency. The rate you see is the rate you get — no hidden deductions.
3
Send and confirm
Hit send. If they’re on WorldFirst, they see it instantly. You get a confirmation — no more chasing on WeChat.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
How It Works
1
Add your supplier’s details
Enter their company name and Chinese bank account number. We verify it against their business registration before your money moves.
2
Lock in your rate
See exactly what you’ll pay in your currency. The rate you see is the rate you get — no hidden deductions.
3
Send and confirm
Hit send. If they’re on WorldFirst, they see it instantly. You get a confirmation — no more chasing on WeChat.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
How It Works
1
Add your supplier’s details
Enter their company name and Chinese bank account number. We verify it against their business registration before your money moves.
2
Lock in your rate
See exactly what you’ll pay in your currency. The rate you see is the rate you get — no hidden deductions.
3
Send and confirm
Hit send. If they’re on WorldFirst, they see it instantly. You get a confirmation — no more chasing on WeChat.
No monthly fees · No minimum balance
Source Smarter, Pay Safer
We've helped 1.5 million businesses move money across borders since 2004. We've watched thousands of importers transition from marketplace platforms to direct factory sourcing.
The ones who succeed did their homework — they understood the cities, verified their suppliers, and protected their payments before wiring their first deposit.
That's why we built this guide. So you can source with confidence and pay with certainty.
Source Smarter, Pay Safer
We've helped 1.5 million businesses move money across borders since 2004. We've watched thousands of importers transition from marketplace platforms to direct factory sourcing.
The ones who succeed did their homework — they understood the cities, verified their suppliers, and protected their payments before wiring their first deposit.
That's why we built this guide. So you can source with confidence and pay with certainty.
Source Smarter, Pay Safer
We've helped 1.5 million businesses move money across borders since 2004. We've watched thousands of importers transition from marketplace platforms to direct factory sourcing.
The ones who succeed did their homework — they understood the cities, verified their suppliers, and protected their payments before wiring their first deposit.
That's why we built this guide. So you can source with confidence and pay with certainty.