Sourcing glossary
Industrial cluster
Also known as: Manufacturing cluster, Specialised town, 产业集群, 산업 클러스터, 산업 집적지
A city or town in China where many factories, component makers and suppliers of the same product category are concentrated, such as Shenzhen for electronics or Foshan for furniture.
Clusters matter because prices, MOQs and know-how are best where the supply chain is dense: materials, parts, printing and packaging are all nearby. Knowing the cluster for your product also helps you judge suppliers — a "factory" for your category located far from its cluster is more likely to be a trading company or a small workshop.
Search 1688 or Alibaba by product and look at where the manufacturers are located, then focus visits and audits there. See China manufacturing hubs for a map of major clusters.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Suppliers
China's Biggest Wholesale Markets: What Each Sells and Which One to Visit
The wholesale markets that matter for importers, by product: Yiwu International Trade City, Guangzhou's clothing, bag and toy districts, Huaqiangbei, Keqiao and Guzhen.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 6 min read
Suppliers
Which City in China Makes What: Product-by-Product Sourcing Index
An A-to-Z index of 60 product categories and the Chinese city or town that specialises in each, with links to the cluster page and wholesale market to start from.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 6 min read
Suppliers
China Manufacturing Hubs: Which City Makes What (Cluster Map)
A verified map of China's industrial clusters by product: where toys, socks, shoes, eyewear lenses, appliances, ceramics, furniture and hardware are made.
Updated 2026-09-14 · 6 min read
Part of Finding Suppliers.