this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2026
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Based on my post here

A small sample, off the top of my head. Things I remember the name of. Feel free to add your own, with links.

News

CGTN

https://www.cgtn.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cgtn

International news in English and other languages.

CCTV

https://tv.cctv.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@CCTV

International and domestic news in Chinese languages (mainly Mandarin). Some stories and videos may be subtitled.

TV

乐队的夏天 (Yueduide Xiatian / The Big Band) Season 3 Full episodes (2023)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv_dU2t-nBM

Reality show where rock/pop/indie/electronic bands compete against each other, performing their own songs as well as doing covers and collabs.

歌手 (Geshou / Singer) Full episodes (2026)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j42AuvKOVB4

Reality show where established and new singers perform songs for an audience. CW: one singer is a white american dude who speaks English

舌尖上的中国 (Shejian shangde Zhongguo / A Bite of China) Full episodes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLcvFT8WGRI&list=PLR_UIYIzlAt_x9PHw76CpyMlXjVdBxmHM

Food documentary series. See traditional regional foods and ingredients, how they're made and enjoyed. CW: meat, eggs, dairy

航拍中国 (Hangpai Zhongguo / Aerial China / Bird's Eye China)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHG5PB2LOchMwZqA4TomZ9ZfsUIhiUhy

CGTN documentary series based on drone footage of Chinese landscapes and cityscapes. Great to fall asleep to. English narration.

欢乐颂 (Huanlesong / Ode to Joy) Full episodes (2016) English subs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGpu56WQGQ&list=PL5qNLU4QrSSLHmEYFpstKxGalbRBl_MwR

Romance / family / work drama set in Shanghai.

西游记 (Xiyouji / Journey to the West) Full Episodes (1986)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3KNpyKILHM&list=PLIj4BzSwQ-_sfc7l2xm1wQswAd5jqrrDS

Classic 80s fantasy show.

Movies

我和我的家乡 (Wo he wode jiaxiang / My People My Homeland ) Full movie (2020) English subs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dghqeyRYq58

Comedy-anthology propaganda movie (that's right). Several short comedy films about rural development and how much has changed in the last 20-30 years.

海的尽头是草原 (Hai de Jintou shi Caoyuan / In Search of Lost Time) Full movie (2022) English subs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iol5lEIG8U4

Drama movie set in present day, with flashbacks to the 60s where orphans in urban eastern China were adopted by mothers in rural Inner Mongolia

人在囧途 (Ren zai jiong tu / Lost on Journey) Full movie (2010), English subs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNV_WADOgvk

Road movie farce, similar in tone to classic 80s american comedies I guess. Shows a wide range of regular Chinese locations and situations. CW: possible insensitive language/tone?

归途列车 (Guitu lieche / Last Train Home) Full documentary (2009) English subs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th6V717d-5E

Documentary about migrant working class life in Guangzhou in the early 2000s.

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[–] miz@hexbear.net 9 points 2 weeks ago

CW: one singer is a white american dude who speaks English

visible-disgust

[–] cornishon@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 2 weeks ago

Great list. Here are my suggestions:

Some recent history dramas about the Mao era:

外交风云 (Diplomatic situation)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSIJismKOisEABMYuMij_3zJdCKg8BfoG

A drama about the diplomatic efforts from 1949 till the 70s

西北岁月 (Into the great Northwest)

https://rumble.com/v729jzc-into-the-great-northwest-ep-01-eng-subs-xi-zhongxun-biopic-.html

The story of Xi Zhongxun (Xi Jinping's father) and his contribution to the revolution and the establishment of the New China

PROJECT 596

https://rumble.com/v75v7yg-reupload-project-596-ep.-01-eng-subs-chinese-historical-drama-about-nukes.html

A drama about the arduous struggle to develop nuclear weapons.

Some poverty alleviation dramas:

大山的女儿 (Daughter of the Mountains)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8R-uen6FfFwtWFO_hOz1Uh0gMkMDm2Mb

A story about Huang Wenxiu, a young poverty alleviation secretary and her work in lifting the Baini village out of poverty.

山花烂漫时 (When Mountain Flowers Bloom)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8R-uen6FfFz-eNnKxnX77O8z7AhiiXjb

A story about Zhang Guimei, a school teacher founding a free public high school for girls in a poor mountainous area.

[–] KuroXppi@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

歌手 (Geshou / Singer) Full episodes (2026)

Alternative could be 晨风波浪的姐姐 Sisters Who Make Waves (now called 乘风 Ride the Wind) which is another music competition show focussing on women their 30s.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCRfYLoxWDlt6UmwDGzVf1yQ

I think some episodes are subtitled like the 2024 season

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kmlf99nyMc&list=PLStWeizY1J6wzcmvzjeedQn0E5ErBq_Iw&index=1&pp=iAQB

[–] Krem@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, heard good things about that one too, but haven't watched it yet. Thanks!

[–] KuroXppi@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

I got burnt out on idol shows after the mainland Produce and Youth with You series, but dipped my toes here and there with Sisters because it was refreshing. Haven't watched in full either tho

[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[–] doomsdayrs@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

I already watch CGTN daily, it's the only source of news that treats me like I am intelligent, and it doesn't leave me feeling miserable.

[–] moh@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

i'm very excited to check these out! i would like to add:

后宫·甄嬛传 (Empresses in the Palace: The Legend of Zhen Huan)

https://tankie.tube/w/p/epLDJaTt8xHV71LXq35zvP

it's a historical palace drama and the writing is extremely well done, i feel like i'm underselling how good this series is!

[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)
[–] Krem@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

辛苦你啊