- Watching Chinese TV shows is one of the most enjoyable ways to build listening comprehension, absorb new vocabulary, and experience the language in an authentic context.
- Nearly all Chinese-language shows are subtitled in Chinese characters, which helps learners connect written characters to their spoken sounds in real time.
- Dramas like Empresses in the Palace and Nirvana in Fire are great for building vocabulary through rich storytelling, while talk shows like A Bright World and Informal Talks are more approachable for beginners.
- Beyond YouTube and Netflix, platforms like Youku, iQiyi, Viki, and Lingopie make it easy to find Chinese shows with interactive or dual-language subtitles.
Watching TV shows is an amazing way to improve your Chinese reading and listening skills, and it's especially great for learning new vocabulary and experiencing the language in a very authentic way.
Nearly all Chinese TV shows and films are subtitled in Chinese characters, which is a great asset because you'll familiarize yourself with the characters and their corresponding sounds. Watching anything from network dramas to YouTube videos can help improve your Chinese — there's a plethora of resources to explore.
However, the most important thing is to pick something you genuinely enjoy watching. This makes the learning experience pleasurable and gives you the motivation to stay consistent. In our humble opinion, the shows below are timeless classics.
01 Top Chinese Dramas for Learners
1. 后宫·甄嬛传 | Empresses in the Palace
Period dramas have gained immense popularity in China, and Empresses in the Palace has been praised as one of the best historical dramas broadcast in mainland China in recent years.
This series is great because it provides insight into the Qing dynasty (1636–1912) and the Imperial Chinese harem system (which consisted of eight classes of concubines). You can even watch some of China's best actresses fight it out on screen.
2. 你的孩子不是你的孩子 | On Children
This show has won many awards in Taiwan, and rightly so. It's something of a Taiwanese version of Black Mirror, though it mainly focuses on the consequences of social pressure and parental oppression, such as mental health breakdowns and suicide.
You can watch the series on Netflix, depending on your location. It touches on heavy subject matter, so it may suit upper-intermediate or advanced learners best.
3. 夜空中最闪亮的星 | The Brightest Star in the Sky
Perhaps a little corny for older audiences, this love story highlights the current issues facing "idols" in the Chinese music industry. It explores China's entertainment business and taboo subjects such as dating within the music industry — something typically not allowed.
The Brightest Star in the Sky stars Huang Zitao, a fitting actor for this series since he is an ex-member of the K-pop group EXO who left to become a solo artist and actor in mainland China.
4. 琅琊榜 | Nirvana in Fire
Nirvana in Fire is a quintessential 武侠 (wǔxiá; martial arts) drama. This show was extremely successful, receiving a total of 3.3 billion views to date.
The series has also been translated and dubbed into many different languages. Depending on your location, it's currently available on YouTube with English subtitles.
5. 欢乐颂 | Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy is a two-part series that tells the story of five modern women who live on the same floor of an apartment complex called "Ode to Joy" in Shanghai. It's fun and easy to follow, and it provides typical portrayals of the various types of modern Chinese women.
The series also explores sensitive subjects such as financial issues, being raised an orphan in Chinese society, and being a "leftover woman," or 剩女 (shèngnǚ).
6. 如果蜗牛有爱情 | When a Snail Falls in Love
With over 1 billion views online, When a Snail Falls in Love was widely considered one of the best dramas of 2016. A mixture of crime and romance, it's quite short for a Chinese drama, with only 21 episodes.
02 Talk Shows and Reality TV
Reality TV and talk shows are another fantastic way to improve your comprehension of everyday Chinese conversations, as well as explore Chinese culture and popular opinion in general. Here are our top suggestions.
1. 世界青年说 | A Bright World
Although this show officially ended in 2017, you can still find most episodes on YouTube. Each episode showcases a panel of young foreigners living in China, discussing a different topic each week from their own point of view.
This talk show is great for beginners — seeing foreigners from different countries speak fluent Chinese can be great motivation.
2. 非正式会谈 | Informal Talks
Very similar to A Bright World, this show also features a foreign panel. Informal Talks is light and funny — another great choice for beginners.
3. 天天向上 | Day Day Up
Arguably one of China's most popular talk shows, Day Day Up first aired in 2008 and has been going strong ever since. The topics discussed are more complex, and there's no foreign panel, making it perhaps a better option for upper-intermediate and advanced learners.
You can watch episodes on the China HunanTV Official YouTube channel for free.
4. 壹周立波秀 | Mr. Zhou Live Show
Mr. Zhou Live Show is a talk show hosted by stand-up comedian Zhou Libo and is great for gaining insight into the unique sense of humor you're likely to encounter in China. This one leans more advanced — especially with his Shanghainese accent — so don't feel discouraged if you don't understand Mr. Zhou's jokes right away.
03 Where Can I Watch Chinese TV Shows?
Although it doesn't offer a full list of Chinese dramas currently available in China, Netflix is a great option if you're looking for more popular dramas and want to watch with English subtitles.
Youku is one of China's top-rated video streaming providers, alongside iQiyi, Sougou, and Mango TV. Many shows even come with simultaneous English and Chinese subtitles. Other international streaming sites such as Viki are also great for English-subtitled Chinese TV shows.
YouTube is also great for finding Chinese TV shows. A particularly useful aspect of YouTube is that after watching an episode or two, its algorithm will begin recommending more Chinese TV shows and films, making it easier to find new content.
Have You Tried Lingopie?
In addition to the traditional platforms for watching Chinese TV shows, a great resource to consider is Lingopie. Tailor-made for language learners, Lingopie offers an extensive collection of TV shows and movies, including Chinese series, complete with interactive subtitles in both Chinese and English.
This feature allows learners to click on any word or phrase for an instant translation, enhancing comprehension and vocabulary acquisition in real time. Ideal for learners at all levels, Lingopie turns your language learning journey into an engaging, immersive experience — like having a personal tutor embedded in your favorite Chinese series.
For readers of this article, CLI has secured a special offer: sign up through this link to receive a 50% discount on Lingopie's yearly plan and a 70% discount on the lifetime plan.
04 TV-Related Chinese Vocabulary
The following vocabulary will help you talk about your favorite Chinese shows and follow along more easily as you watch.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 电视剧 | TV drama | |
| 综艺节目 | variety show | |
| 演员 | actor / actress | |
| 主演 | to star in; lead actor | |
| 剧情 | plot / storyline | |
| 字幕 | subtitles | |
| 配音 | dubbing | |
| 台词 | lines / dialogue | |
| 追剧 | to binge-watch a show | |
| 武侠 | martial arts (genre) | |
| 剩女 | "leftover woman" (unmarried older woman) | |
| 收视率 | ratings (viewership) |
05 Let the Show Begin!
Consuming Chinese media will help you gain a deeper understanding of modern Chinese culture and reinforce what you've already learned from your Chinese textbooks. It can also enhance your listening skills and help you pick up conversational Chinese — even slang.
Watching TV doesn't have to be a mind-numbing experience. Next time you want to watch your favorite show, why not consider watching something in Chinese instead? You'll be surprised by how much you learn.
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