Wenshan's sanqi market, where most of China's notoginseng is traded
Sanqi International Trading Market, Wenshan city
Wenshan is the home of sanqi (notoginseng), a medicinal root, and about 90% of China's raw supply is bought and sold here. The main market covers some 150 mu (10 hectares) with more than 200 registered traders: workers trim roots at the stalls and grinding machines roar as roots are milled to powder. Roots are graded by how many make up 500 g, labelled 20-head, 30-head and so on, so the lower the number, the bigger and dearer the root.
What locals sayRegular buyers look for a grey-green to dark green cut face with a chrysanthemum-like pattern, and pass over roots that are pale or crumbly inside.
- Time
- 1 hour
- In Chinese
- 文山三七国际交易市场
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Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
