Wenzhou, also known as Yongjia (or Yung-chia) has a history which goes back to about 2000 BC, when it became known for its pottery production. In the 2nd century BC it was called the Kingdom of Dong'ou. Under the Tang Dynasty, it was promoted to prefecture status and given its current name in 675 AD.

Throughout its history, Wenzhou's traditional economic role has been as a port giving access to the mountainous interior of southern Zhejiang Province. In 1876 Wenzhou was opened to the foreign tea trade, but no foreign settlement was ever made there. In 1937-1942 during the war with Japan, Wenzhou became an important port due to its being one of the few Chinese ports still under Chinese control. It declined in the later years of the war but began to recover after coastal trade along the Zhejiang coast was re-established in 1955. Today Wenzhou remains the chief economic, political and cultural center of southeastern Zhejiang Province.

A Christian Church built in Wenzhou in 1778 by British missionaries is still used for worship.

Ou Models are a famous handicraft produced in Wenzhou, combining the stereoscopic effect of a sculpture with the vivid colours of a painting. Another handicraft is Ou Embroidery, which combines embroidery and painting.

The Nanxijing Scenic Area just to the west of Wenzhou is described as a place of beautiful forests, waterfalls and ancient villages. A famous poem written about this area by Xie Lingyun is called "Clouds Lingering over Misty Forest, Meandering River Running into the Sunset".