Inside the World's Largest Wholesale Market | Short Film Showcase

China's Yiwu Markets are the largest of their kind in the world. This observational documentary offers a glimpse of what life is like for the vendors who sell clocks, Christmas lights, and everything in between.
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The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.
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“The markets have their own routines and rhythms, where the space-sprawling across five miles-operates according to the fluctuating demands of the global economy” says Commodity City's filmmaker Jessica Kingdon (jckbox.com/).
See more from producer Kira Simon-Kennedy.
kirasimonkennedy.com/
About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
Inside the World's Largest Wholesale Market | Short Film Showcase
• Inside the World's Lar...
National Geographic
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[@NatGeo]

The Yiwu Market in China is nearly 5 miles long with thousands of vendors representing factories within China. What are your thoughts on this massive marketplace?

[@MurderBong]

WATCH CAREFULLY, AS WE SWITCH BETWEEN SECURITY CAMERAS . . . . .DAFUCK NG?

[@SpiralBreeze]

All I can think of is National Wholesale Liquidators.

[@mr559]

Well done Jessica Kingdon.

[@anjubiyar9911]

It is great place and growing place..

[@AzlianaLyana]

Despite the heavy noise of people walking along, the first few minutes almost felt rather lonely. These were shops with lots of items but no sign of a customer coming in. Felt more 'lively' and somewhat intense towards the 2nd half of it though. Very well made and yet in such a simple premise. I felt like this was a sincere and genuine portrayal of the market. Thanks for sharing National Geographic.

[@chachacha0011]

Maybe a slow time of day? The stores have customers who buy for foreign chain stores who buy hundreds or thousands of a particular item at a great discount. One good customers could certainly make their entire week.

[@joyjoyoo]

yea, but keep in mind its a wholesale, so everything is in bulk.

[@augustgast]

They are also selling their products on eBay. Just check where in China the product is shipped from, the chance of it coming from a city with huge wholesales markets is pretty high

[@austinhughes2161]

Lots of business is done online in China.

[@annemarielaluna9350]

reading your comment and reading other comments who say that this is sad, have no idea how chinese make money. once i worked in a small shop owned by chinese. it's quite empty from outside but they got many orders through emails and calls. and no matter how fail their business, they rather open a little shop than working as an employee.

[@teethepenguin2652]

*Sunflower seeds*

[@martinbremner5848]

Chestnuts

[@okrablossom]

"Here, Mom, hold my booger."

[@dnae760]

Erin Buller Ha!! She took it no problem n he went in for round 2

[@The0ceanwave]

At least he didn't eat it lol

[@dnae760]

Legends say that little girl is still pulling that chair around. .........

[@user-hm9mj1hc3j]

Don't just "mmm" me. I can't trust you anymore

[@Alr1ghtyThen]

加藤みずっち I know your first thought was that was her boyfriend lmao

[@TheXeeman]

so funny lol

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I hope she got her items in the end. The other person seemed really flaky.

[@98854arjun]

she is hot as f***

[@ivyk378]

There were plenty of stools around but that evil little girl had to pull out her baby brother's stool.

[@user-ho4jg3jt8q]

Yes :-(

[@peacetoall7335]

sometime loneliness could push ppl to do crazy thing :-)

[@HardcorePanda]

stop complaining about number of customers. it is a WHOLESALE market. Single customer dont buy 1 item.

[@quokkapirquish6825]

Mesmerising film, well done! I’ve been to the market, and felt the same wander. It’s a blade runner-like place, mostly women running the stalls, most of them quite feisty. Can’t wait to go back next year

[@moraga7370]

I could watch stuff like this for hours

[@kaassaus4230]

this was a amazing short documentary! 👍🏻

[@DaJesster0405]

Even in China KFC is finger licking good.

[@ruijieguo8459]

Jessica Calhoon not now, you arrogant westerners need to open your big eyes to see the world.

[@jimfrans2547]

Ruijie Guo that's the fact! KFC is finger licking good in my country as well...accept that! LOL...

[@DaJesster0405]

Ruijie Guo arrogant I think not, as far as I’m concerned. It’s called having a sense of humor. Life isn’t always this great walk in the park so many try to make it out to be, but we find the funny and the good moments to lift us up in order to make it through the boring mundane moments in life. If you’re going to stereotype me at least use a more related stereotype. Good day

[@toffeebieber1565]

This should be a 360° video, you know what I mean anyway nice video !

[@sadbanananaboi7800]

As a passionate people watcher I have to say: I love this!

[@NatGeo]

It's fascinating to get a glimpse of the lives of the vendors in this massive marketplace. We're glad you enjoyed watching!

[@sadbanananaboi7800]

Indeed, it's quite fascinating how the cinematic simplicity allows us to take a deeper look into the souls of the vendors and gives us the most authentic impression of this marketplace we could get from a film. I'm really impressed.

[@jimfrans2547]

Niko von Tüdelmann i bet you're lying to get the admin's attention...ho ho ho...nice move, dude...

[@Trialinyx]

7:10 This is where things get interesting, that dino just makes everything better with it's roaring noises.

[@Sancsentity]

the chill mood suddenly changed half way haha

[@MrMRSAF]

Appreciate the simplicity it is as it is.

[@erikhernandez8071]

Basically where everything comes from ,what you wear,shoes,etc.

[@jimfrans2547]

condoms too? oh, jeez...eww...so horrible...

[@DragonHunterG]

oddly fascinating and somewhat relaxing, except when that little girl pulled the chair out from under her brother or whoever that was. it was mean and could have resulted in some serious injury

[@swallowedinthesea11]

She needs to be Blood Eagled.

[@SC0RPI0NFURY]

Could have happend any place in the world

[@PantsB4Squares]

SCORPIONFURY thats what stool pullers say. Im looking at tou scorpionfury...!

[@SC0RPI0NFURY]

PantsB4Squares Im guilty 😂😂

[@lightdarkequivalent7143]

My older sister threw alcohol at my eyes a long time ago That stool would be harmless Also, my eyes didn't get permanently damaged

[@parks.]

I could watch endless hours of this...or a stream

[@applewormz]

I love this kind of film / documentary, no narrative needed! What keywords should I type in to watch more like this?

[@bharath_mangalore]

Entire world of short film makers at one side and then there is you , good job national geography ❤️

[@Hellscomingforya]

This needs to be a show asap!

[@HeavyBreathingCat]

Thanks for sharing National Geographic!

[@1013VS]

7:13 dam my mom should have slapped me

[@karlaarana6999]

the girl with the KFC was me

[@cascadeghost2814]

Very interesting and thanks for translating

[@thedragonladyishere]

FASCINATING!!!! My favourite bits were when the woman was telling off her supplier on the phone and that brat pulling to chair from under her brother.

[@user-rd6fb2je2g]

It feels like I'm watching meteor garden when they're talking. Lmao I'm old

[@belaknight945]

This was very funny but then sad at the same time, cause they barely have any customers

[@dumpster9048]

Bela Knight I don't think it's the amount of customers that matters but the amount that the customers buy.

[@boosay568]

Their main customers are from other parts of Asia. That's why most of them have a computer set up in the shop.

[@junaesi]

The stores just to show samples they sell, they make profit from online sales from across the globe,you can find all their stores in alibaba.

[@htin08]

Customers are store owners. Once the deal is done they only send orders in by email and confirm by phones.

[@arbs3ry]

Dude ,it's a wholesale market not a supermarket, plus there's internet for b2b

[@1994srinathable]

That girl still pulling the stool out. Rofl

[@Mamatha450]

Looks like little cute kids also help their parents to run the business. 😊

[@ho2cultcha]

i got totally drawn into this unusual film! the dinosaur toy scene was fantastic!

[@truel8ve]

7:09 top 10 anime brutal almost death experience

[@junaesi]

Holy molly this is gold. How can you get this footage? Ive been there before so i know what it looks like. Some shops maybe looks quite and no one buy but they make sales from online from across the globe.

[@ellisellis9117]

nice song!!😆😆😆😅😅😅

[@user-fx4oo4xc9o]

4:34 my favourite McDonald

[@Laperdash]

7:11 I laughed so hard XD XD XD

[@marenita9926]

I don't know why but i liked the christmas tree shop😂

[@TheTractorjaws]

That's a cold blooded sister!

[@operiwinkleo1932]

Seeing the goods on the walls make it so appealing visually

[@InMooseWeTrust]

What is the song at the background in the beginning?

[@LAG_Kuroneko]

7:11 that actually sounded like "When some fall in ANIMEs". or a Fist bump Voice

[@carolmarie5105]

So over whelming to see all of the products stacked high to the ceilings. I need to switch channels and watch some bunnies play.

[@NatGeo]

It's such a sight to see! It really puts into perspective the massive amounts of goods produced daily all over the world.

[@carolmarie5105]

National Geographic Absolutely. That was definately an eye opener. I want to change my consumption habits and make a more conscious effort to recycle and reuse.

[@jacobstockings6258]

beautifully shot reminds me a lot of the Documentary Samsara similer vibe

[@Walkersmalkers]

Very nice short film :)

[@chewbebeuwu8556]

7:13 uhmm that little rascal lmao

[@travollan]

I watched that kid fall 8 times before continuing the video; his sister will bully him for years.

[@Elcapulove]

Others removing snot from their noses, others watching Novelas on Telemundo. 😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

[@sassycat4157]

8:11 That little boy picked his nose, looked a it and then gave it to his mom.... she them removed the booger from his finger.........

[@kidthemanifest]

Anyone know if you can buy apparel and clothes in Yiwu as well? Everyone talking about electronics and clocks n all that

[@ruthiek5340]

Seems like 5 miles of bored people being paid to play on their phones and computers. Hope they make money online too.

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

This looks like shoppers paradise. 0A0 wow! Being able to see everything in person is so much easier than on the ebay listings!

[@SimonSozzi7258]

Brilliant

[@jcismyname420]

Best part was the kid falling out of the chair lol

[@MaxStax1]

If I had a shop there I'd sell hot cakes.

[@denysebastet]

I’m surprised this is actually quite interesting the further you go into it

[@amazingabby25]

75 ornaments and 150 Christmas trees for 229 dollars??????? Wow

[@RandyDRosario]

very interesting

[@NNFecsH]

I know the market is a pubic area. But I wonder if those featured were notified that they would be in this film. If I was one of the store front staff, I wouldn't be happy to find myself featured in this film without being told. I'm sure they weren't informed.

[@cascadeghost2814]

What's with everyone asking for nuts/seeds? First sunflower then chestnuts, do you suppose they're for sale or just hungry

[@Angel-eu9rw]

7:10 LMAO

[@ValidStranger]

Sunflower seeds, chest nuts... Now I’m craving!

[@guangzhouzhongdingbagcompa5378]

amazing video,different view. PS: you can go to guangzhou wholesale market, and we are the bag manufacturer in Guangzhou China.

[@wedotalkaboutwhatarmystand4796]

Oh my god!! I was so shocked when the baby fall!! 😧

[@kaixilin9508]

Wow!

[@user-fx4oo4xc9o]

8:00 is there any special meaning?

[@Thisworldisagoner]

all the commenters saying "sad world", well though I am not a bug fan of chinese people but would you be sitting at your store smiling and laughing like crazy all day for no reason?

[@amandaliu7439]

Hoeny what's wrong with us

[@Alexander-je7pe]

7:12 Haha!

[@FG-bn3qq]

So each particular station or shop sells only one kind of item?

[@jordanweeks7920]

7:10 lol

[@mwizkaeks]

Wow

[@jimisru]

Humanity, habitat collapse and the baffling situation we find ourselves in as humans.

[@PointlessLists]

1:57 I'd shop there

[@iamcornelia]

Too real!

[@rinchhensherpa6972]

7:19 😂

[@mikielee735]

Well, time to close up shop....and maybe start my kungfu class like everyone else.

[@franbryan6134]

This video make me sad why?

[@htin08]

Because you felt miss out on the action. Go out there and get involved.

[@franbryan6134]

Htin Moe Thank you Dad or Mom

[@jimfrans2547]

Fran Wolf you wished for an exciting-adrenaline stimulate-video, and it's not...i feel bad for you, kiddo...

[@richardteh2936]

Fran Wolf yeah remind me of the million of homeless people mostly war veterans begging for foods and sleeping under the bridge in United States and in some states feeding the homeless are illegal you could end up in jail for been good to humanity

[@rovli816]

Fran Wolf too many to sell to no customers

[@ruzzelladrian907]

So this is where the goods sold in Colon Cebu City come from.

[@nairb9009]

Fist time I watch an 'observational documentary'...

[@kimiho1213]

I've been to China, and from what I've heard and seen, vendors all in one area sell the same products, for example jewelry on one street and stationary on another. Sometimes there are malls that sell the same products for cheap. However, some vendors won't sell stuff to you unless you buy them wholesale. The overproduction creates Low demand on items.

[@alfreav]

Simple magnificent.

[@Satiricjellybean]

This is amazing

[@aminulhoque2166]

Sir you have not mention price of product . Please mention price of the product in video . Thanks .

[@EchoMeadow]

Sad world...

[@quokkapirquish6825]

BigMountain Why? I loved it there, the people seemed happy

[@SprettBa11]

wow nat geo actually shat out a good video? GG now i can die in peace.

[@Walymie]

The last song we hear at the end of the video is actually a Chinese cover or a Russian song, I just don't remember which one exactly but the melody sounds quite familiar

[@marsyao9892]

It is Подмосковные Вечера (Moscow Night, 莫斯科郊外的晚上 in Chinese), for some reasons, it is huge popular in China, especially among Chinese of middle age and above

[@jiayicheng7782]

This isn't a retail market, it's a WHOLESALE market. Products at store are actually samples and are not for sale. You see a lot of varieties, but there are only one for each kind. You won't see customers pick and choose at the store, and if you want to buy something you need to make a bulk order.

[@saltohsalt]

looks like most mall on week days

[@WelcometotheMuseum]

artpiece

[@Gotinox]

I feel sorry for those people on the shelves and sad

[@prashantvicky]

China is really unique...

[@asmile1197]

7:11 - WTFFFF :D

[@Pradeep.Poonia]

5:30 'What size is this'? haha. fat belley. funny bits at 6:35 , 7:10, 8:10

[@sandyfung2535]

hahahaha that kids doesnt seem interested in money . hahahahaha just threw that away hahahahaha

[@hastyzygote2698]

Did anyone else notice the guy at 3:23 with a flexible phone (or a hologram, I can't tell)?!

[@AlvinCornelius]

You're the apple of my eye

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Very nice. How'd you get them to say yet to being filmed even including their arguments:-) God bless, Proverbs 31

[@bungaloboynes]

I love this place

[@WWEAlanardo]

That woman at 9:20 thats how i be on the first day back

[@omgitsme435]

Respect the hustle