Danyang Glasses Buying Complete Guide

The old building (China Eyewear City) was put into use in 2006, with a total investment of RMB 150 million, covering an area of 27 mu, a floor area of 37,000 square meters, five floors in total, and more than 400 shops. This is the earlier of Danyang's two remaining eyewear markets. The shops are packed very closely together, and most are long-established stores that have been in business for many years. Prices are relatively more flexible, and many locals love to go to the old building to get glasses.

• 1st Floor: Mainly brand stores and retail, including brand chain retailers such as Nanjing Wuliangcai and Daguangming Glasses, as well as local well-known lens brand stores such as Mingyue Optical.

The downside of the old building is that the environment is rather old-fashioned, and first-time visitors can easily get overwhelmed. However, prices here are the most flexible in Danyang, with plenty of room for bargaining. About 20% of the wholesale shops run their own eyewear factories in towns around Danyang and supply goods directly, so there is a genuine factory-direct price advantage. For ordinary single-vision lenses, most shops can have glasses ready in 30-60 minutes.

The new building (China Danyang International Eyewear City) opened in 2014, upgraded from the old market, with a construction area of about 140,000 square meters. The number of merchants has increased to more than 600, with retail, wholesale, foreign trade, and e-commerce competing on the same stage. The new building has a modern facade, good lighting inside, and a more complete range of brands, making the overall environment and experience much better. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want to browse at a leisurely pace.

Floor layout:

• B1: Eye exam and fitting area, e-commerce service center

• 1F East Section: Retail fitting area (retail + fitting)

• 1F West Section: Wholesale area, brand flagship stores

• Floors 2-4: Wholesale area, frames, sunglasses, and reading glasses wholesale

• 5F: China Eyewear Museum (about 1,800 square meters, the largest and most diverse eyewear museum in China), giant-screen cinema

Prices in the new building are generally slightly higher than in the old building, but still much cheaper than stores elsewhere. The new and old buildings are connected internally, so you can browse without detours. You can first visit the new building to see the brands and environment, then go to the old building to compare prices and bargain. The China Eyewear Museum on the 5th floor is a great place to learn about the history of eyewear and the Danyang eyewear industry. In July 2026, the new building also opened an AI eyewear collection showroom, showcasing the latest smart eyewear products.