Exploring Riwu Border Trade Market: A Hub of Traditional Cross-Border Commerce

Introduction to Riwu Border Trade Market
Riwu Border Trade Market, also known as Riwu Border Trade Market, is a vital land port on the border, situated to the south of the administrative center of Dinggyê County, at the foothills of the northern Himalayas in Riwu Town. It shares borders with Nepal to the southwest, corresponding to Nepal’s Hattia Market, and is adjacent to Sikkim to the southeast, serving as a traditional cross-border trade market for people from China and Nepal.

Historical Significance and Development
Historically, Riwu Border Trade Market has served as a traditional cross-border trade market between China and Nepal. In 1972, it was approved by the State Council as a second-class national land port, initially consisting of 35 storefronts and over 30 tents. However, due to the lack of road access from Riwu to the border (Chentang), the port was primarily used for small-scale local trade until its official opening in 1986. In 2002, the government invested in constructing a road from Riwu to Chentang, aiming to promote the development of border trade at Riwu Port.

Local Resources and Trade
The region is abundant in various medicinal herbs, with major wild herbs including Fritillaria, Coptis, and Snow Lotus. Particularly noteworthy is Fritillaria, with an annual output of around 5000 catties, showing promising development prospects. Chentang boasts vast tracts of pristine forests, rich in timber resources, facilitating annual timber transactions with border residents from Nepal.

Market Renovation and Trading Seasons
In 2004, the government invested over 2 million RMB in renovating the Riwu Market, expanding its area to 1126.81 square meters and repairing existing storefronts. The trading season runs from May to October, peaking from July to September, attracting over 4000 domestic and foreign merchants, with numbers soaring to over 7000 during the Sherpa Folk Art Festival.

Variety of Goods and Travel Tips
The market trades in over 90 varieties of goods, including wool, salt, brick tea, rice, flour, barley, corn, butter, carpets, yaks, horses, sheep, timber, and daily necessities, with transactions exceeding 1.5 million RMB.
Travel Tips:

Riwu Port is 7.6 kilometers from Dinggyê County town and 303 kilometers from Shigatse. Visitors can hire a car or drive themselves, enjoying the picturesque scenery along the way.
On August 10, 2010, the first week-long Border Trade Fair was held at Riwu Port, attracting over 200 Chinese and Nepalese clients. The fair showcased local specialties, ethnic handicrafts, and Nepalese daily necessities.