Our parent community in China has curated recommendations for must-watch TV shows about contemporary China. These TV dramas and documentaries portray a fast-changing country from various aspects. They are all available on YouTube for English-speaking audiences.

Television entered Chinese family life in 1958. Over the past 60 years, it has gradually matured. Three interesting trends are

(1) Original content: Self-publishing content on the Internet provides a wealth of materials for TV dramas.

(2) Video streaming platforms: The Chinese equivalent of Netflix has entered TV production, improving quality.

(3) Global audience: Many popular works are available on YouTube (with English subtitles), allowing global access.

#1:  Home with Kids 家有儿女

What is it? 

This is the Chinese version of the American sitcom Growing Pains. Three kids in Beijing live under the same roof through their parents’ second marriages. Their lives are often fun with occasional little troubles.

Why do we recommend it?

Each episode is light and funny, showing a loving family’s daily life in China. 

Who is it for?

It’s suitable as a family activity. There are 4 seasons totalling 367 episodes. Each episode lasts about 20 minutes. The TV show is in Chinese with English subtitles. 

#2:  A Bite of China 舌尖上的中国

What is it? 

‘A Bite of China’ is a hugely successful documentary about daily food in different regions in China. There are three seasons of this documentary.  

Why do we recommend it?

This documentary does not show famous chefs and celebrities. Instead, it is all about the relationship between food and nature, food and normal people, and food in daily life. 

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for foodies. There are 3 seasons. Each season has about 6-7 episodes, with each episode lasting about 50 minutes. Seasons 1 and 2 have versions narrated in English. 

#3:  Aerial China  航拍中国

What is it? 

A large-scale documentary of China, “Aerial China” gives us an aerial view of this vast country. 

Why do we recommend it?

Each episode shows the geographic features, plants, animals, natural resources, and people’s lifestyles in a particular region in China, using a perspective from above. 

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for travel fans. It consists of 34 episodes. Each episode lasts about 50 minutes, narrated in English.

#4:  To the Wonder 我的阿勒泰

What is it? 

It is a TV show reflecting the relationship between Han (the main ethnic Chinese group) and Uighur (the minority ethnic group in Xinjiang). Most Han people who moved to Xinjiang were driven by financial gain, while the Uighur prioritized preserving their nature and current lifestyle. That has caused tension. 

Why do we recommend it?

This TV show is based on a popular self-published internet book. The story reveals the healing power of nature, partially from the author’s real experience in moving to Xinjiang with her mother.

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for an audience who wants to know about the changing lifestyles of minority ethnic groups in rural China. There are 8 episodes in total. Each episode lasts about 40 minutes. The TV show is in Chinese with English subtitles. 

#5:  The Bond 乔家的儿女

What is it? 

The Bond follows the story of one family, four kids, and their single dad, over three decades (1977 to 2008). The four siblings support each other through good times and hard times despite having a difficult dad and no mom. The story takes place in Nanjing, east China. 

Why do we recommend it?

Through each child’s growth trajectory, the TV show tells a bigger story of the country’s huge transformation over the past three decades.  

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for audiences curious about China’s modern history since its opening-up policy in the 1980s. There are 50 episodes. Each episode lasts about 45 minutes. The TV show is in Chinese with English subtitles. 

#6:  The Knockout 狂飙

What is it? 

The Knockout is a 2023 Chinese criminal drama. It tells the story of a police officer’s fight against organized crime over 20 years, showing the rise and fall of underworld figures and corrupt officials. The show takes place in the city of Jinghai.

Why do we recommend it?

The show is praised for its brilliant acting and scriptwriting. It shows how tiny decisions in life led to ordinary people’s different life paths over time. 

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for those who love criminal drama. Each episode lasts about 40 minutes. The TV show is in Chinese with English subtitles. 

#7:  Born to be the one 凡人歌

What is it? 

It tells the stories of three couples who have to reinvent themselves facing the mid-life crisis amid the current economic stress in China.

Why do we recommend it?

The stress of having an economic downcycle and a too-fast work pace is real. And people need resilience and flexibility to cope. 

Who is it for?

It’s suitable for audiences interested in Chinese ways of thinking, working, and living in today’s era. There are 37 episodes, each lasting about 45 minutes. The TV show is in Chinese with English subtitles.