Shandong’s Linyi Aims to Be a Two-Way Korea–China Logistics Hub, Using ‘Lanhua Korea’ in Yongin as Its Base

In the third instalment of its series ‘Walking Through Shandong, Confucius’s Homeland’, published on 3 October, Newspim reports that Linyi Shangcheng, the large wholesale market in Linyi, Shandong, is shifting from an export focus towards a two-way Korea–China trade hub. Through ‘Lanhua Korea’ in Yongin, Gyeonggi, it brings Korean goods into China and introduces Chinese goods in Korea. Here is what may matter to Korean businesses in China dealing in consumer goods and distribution.

By the Editorial Desk

What Linyi Shangcheng is

According to the report, Linyi Shangcheng consists of 136 specialised wholesale markets and more than 63,700 stalls, handling over 6 million products. It is described as China’s largest wholesale market. Linyi’s side stresses logistics costs about 30% below the national average and a tightly knit supply chain built on the scale of the market.

The report says it now operates on a ‘display in front, warehouse behind’ model: overseas buyers pick goods and Linyi’s logistics network ships them to each country. To support this, an international product selection centre and a cross-border e-commerce industrial park have been set up.

The Korean base: Lanhua Korea

Lanhua Korea opened in Yongin, Gyeonggi in September 2023 on about 15,000 sq m. It introduces Linyi products in Korea while bringing Korean products into China. In April 2024 Linyi also opened a ‘Korean Brand Selection Base’ to help Korean firms enter China.

In 2025 about 300 Linyi exporters used its services, with related exports above RMB 200 million. At the second Lanhua Korea exhibition held in September, on-site sales reached RMB 30 million and projected deals passed RMB 100 million. Note that the projected figure is an expectation, not signed contracts.

What Korean businesses in China should note

First, it may be a new point of contact for firms in consumer goods and sundries. Linyi says it also runs a channel for bringing Korean goods into the Chinese market. But the report does not cover listing terms, fees or customs handling, so interested firms need to enquire directly.

Second, the numbers are mostly Linyi’s own. The 30% logistics saving and the RMB 100 million projection are figures presented by the Linyi side and have not been independently verified. This is one instalment of an on-the-ground series, so business decisions need separate checks.

Third, the link to Korean e-commerce is worth watching. Naming Coupang, Naver and Gmarket alongside AliExpress and TikTok shows a wholesale-centred market trying to combine with online retail. Korean distribution and trading firms in China, including in Tianjin, may find it useful when diversifying suppliers and sales channels.

※ This article is an automatically generated draft based on Newspim reporting (3 October 2026). Editorial review is required before publication.