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    Home/Browse/TV Shows/Chinese TV Shows/Chinese Documentary TV Shows

    Chinese Documentary TV Shows

    The 40 most popular chinese documentary TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

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    Lecture Room
    TMDB3.5

    Lecture Room

    2001 · CN

    No overview available

    世界战史
    TMDB4.5

    世界战史

    2019 · CN

    No overview available

    Eat the poor Taoist
    TMDB4.2

    Eat the poor Taoist

    2023 · CN

    No overview available

    传奇故事
    TMDB5.0

    传奇故事

    2005 · CN

    No overview available

    非遗里的中国
    TMDB5.0

    非遗里的中国

    2022 · CN

    No overview available

    诗画中国
    TMDB4.0

    诗画中国

    2022 · CN

    No overview available

    腾飞五千年
    TMDB3.5

    腾飞五千年

    2014 · CN

    No overview available

    宗师列传
    TMDB4.8

    宗师列传

    2023 · CN

    No overview available

    Once Upon a Bite
    TMDB4.5

    Once Upon a Bite

    2018 · CN

    Filmed over a period of four years, this food documentary journeys to 22 countries across six continents, focusing on areas where “East meets West” in the dining scene and delves into the rise and changes in Chinese cuisines worldwide.

    The End
    TMDB3.5

    The End

    2012 · CN

    After a plane crash, a devoted wife learns that her life and marriage is all a lie.

    A Bite of China
    TMDB4.2

    A Bite of China

    2012 · CN

    This series explores the history, traditions and culture of Chinese food. Filmed at over 160 locations across China, this series truly is a feast for the senses. The seven-episode documentary series introduces the history and story behind foods of various kinds in more than 160 locations in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The documentary has also been actively encouraged as a means of introducing Chinese food culture to those unfamiliar with local cuisine.

    The Warring States Period
    TMDB5.0

    The Warring States Period

    2019 · CN

    Shot in the format of a drama, it is the first documentary of its kind that explores a historical age in China more than 2,500 years ago. The documentary follows the heroic figures of the seven states Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei and Qin and retells the rise and fall of a nation through realistic depictions of the events from the demise of the Warring States Period until the unification under Qin rule.

    Flavorful Origins
    TMDB4.0

    Flavorful Origins

    2019 · CN

    Embark on a delightful journey through the culinary traditions of China and uncover the stories of the people who create and cherish its dishes.

    Every Treasure Tells a Story
    TMDB4.0

    Every Treasure Tells a Story

    2018 · CN

    "Every Treasure Tells a Story" has a total of 100 episodes, divided into four seasons. To shoot this documentary, the film crew traveled all over the country, filming nearly a hundred museums and archaeological institutes and more than 50 archaeological sites.

    My People, My Country: Behind-The-Scenes
    TMDB3.0

    My People, My Country: Behind-The-Scenes

    2019 · CN

    No overview available

    China
    TMDB5.0

    China

    2020 · CN

    Going back five thousand years, the "China" is a tragic China? The first season of the large-scale humanistic history documentary "China" will explore Chinese historical stories from the Spring and Autumn to the Tang Dynasty, digging out people and events that have a profound impact on China today, telling Chinese stories, spreading the voice of China, and showing the great evolution of Chinese civilization.

    激荡·1978-2008
    TMDB0.5

    激荡·1978-2008

    2008 · CN

    No overview available

    金州勇士夺冠之路
    TMDB5.0

    金州勇士夺冠之路

    2015 · CN

    No overview available

    China Before China
    TMDB5.0

    China Before China

    2023 · CN

    China Before China, an eight-episode documentary that tells stories of the origins and early development of Chinese civilization based on key archaeological findings.

    Yi Zhongtian: Analysis of the Three Kingdoms
    TMDB4.5

    Yi Zhongtian: Analysis of the Three Kingdoms

    2006 · CN

    CCTV-10 Lecture Room series: Pin San Guo (品三国; Analysis of the Three Kingdoms). "Yi Zhongtian's Analysis of the Three Kingdoms" is a CCTV-10 historical broadcast program and one of the "Hundred Forums" series. The main speaker, Yi Zhongtian, restored the real Cao Cao, defended Zhou Yu's false accusations, spoke up about Zhuge Liang, and re-evaluated Sima Yi. When talking about the world, there are only three points of gossip. Discuss the merits and demerits carefully, and summarize the gains and losses of successes and failures. Professor Yi Zhongtian of Xiamen University will use stories to tell characters, characters to tell history, history to tell culture, and culture to tell human nature. Discuss the major events of the Three Kingdoms and carefully analyze the success and failure of the heroes. Professor Yi Zhongtian will explain it from a civilian perspective.

    2022年卡塔尔世界杯
    TMDB3.0

    2022年卡塔尔世界杯

    2022 · CN

    No overview available

    Two Hundred Years of Surgery
    TMDB4.5

    Two Hundred Years of Surgery

    2019 · CN

    A documentary on the history of surgery.

    Life Matters
    TMDB4.6

    Life Matters

    2016 · CN

    No overview available

    SciGirls
    TMDB2.8

    SciGirls

    2010 · CN

    Scigirls is a show about teen girls getting involved with science by doing different experiments and studies.

    The Story of Chuaner
    TMDB4.1

    The Story of Chuaner

    2018 · CN

    "The Story of Chuaner" is the first special program in China that presents the Chinese people's barbecue culture. It focuses on showcasing the unique barbecue culture from various regions across the country and covers over 500 legendary barbecue stalls in nearly 30 cities. Unlike previous barbecue programs, "Life on a Skewer" has a strong sense of grassroots and shifts its focus from the grand halls to the ordinary stalls, truly showcasing the carefree spirit and distinctive flavor of barbecue.

    Guarding JieFangXi
    TMDB4.3

    Guarding JieFangXi

    2019 · CN

    No overview available

    China's Wild Empire
    TMDB4.1

    China's Wild Empire

    2023 · US

    The epic adventures of China’s golden snub-nosed monkeys, Tibetan antelope and Asian elephants, told across the seasons in a diversity of habitats.

    The Story of Her
    TMDB5.0

    The Story of Her

    2024 · CN

    The Story of HER is a grand theatrical production recounting the extraordinary stories of four legendary women from ancient China. Each episode focuses on different aspects of their lives, including Princess Jieyou, Wu Zetian, Li Qingzhao, and Shen Shou.The show integrates historical records to analyze the political, economic, cultural, and social conditions faced by women at the time.Filmed in a docudrama style, the show invites actresses Lan Xi, Wen Zhengrong, Tao Xinran, and Cao Feiran to perf.

    极:《悬崖之上》电影纪录片
    TMDB2.3

    极:《悬崖之上》电影纪录片

    2021 · CN

    No overview available

    The Hidden Kingdoms of China
    TMDB3.6

    The Hidden Kingdoms of China

    2019 · CN

    From its highest mountains and plateaus, to its thickest jungles and bamboo forests, CHINAS HIDDEN KINGDOMS will reveal the wild side to China that few knew existed.

    黄霄雲「宇宙无敌号」巡回演唱会
    TMDB5.0

    黄霄雲「宇宙无敌号」巡回演唱会

    2024 · CN

    No overview available

    极致瑜伽
    TMDB2.8

    极致瑜伽

    2019 · CN

    No overview available

    The Silk Road
    TMDB3.5

    The Silk Road

    1980 · CN

    The Silk Road is a documentary television series produced by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) that was first broadcast during the 1980s. The travelogue traced the ancient Silk Road from Chang'an (modern day Xi'an) to Rome covering the history, archaeology, culture, religion, and art of countries along the route.

    Mysterious Planet
    TMDB3.5

    Mysterious Planet

    2020 · CN

    No overview available

    China Beyond Tastes
    TMDB4.5

    China Beyond Tastes

    2023 · CN

    This program is directed by Chen Xiaoqing for the first time, stepping from behind the camera to in front of it, presenting his own perspective to explore food and delve into the stories behind it. In this show, Chen Xiaoqing travels to eight different regions in China, embarking on a flavorful exploration journey accompanied by various guides. Among these guides are both Chen Xiaoqing's old friends and new acquaintances. They come from diverse backgrounds and identities, including philosophers, archaeologists, anthropologists, musicians, professional chefs, economists, writers, and more. Chen Xiaoqing uses food as a means to bring more people together, believing that "food is not only delicious but also a kind of adhesive that enables people to have greater understanding and communication."

    Aerial China
    TMDB4.3

    Aerial China

    2017 · CN

    The large-scale aerial documentary "Aerial China", produced by CCTV and contracted by CCTV Records International Media Co., Ltd., is a documentary film that overlooks China from an aerial perspective and comprehensively and stereoscopically displays History of China's historical and cultural landscape, natural and geographical features, and economic and social development and changes. The series consists of 34 episodes, each lasting 50 minutes, covering 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions across the country. This film will be entirely completed through aerial photography, with each episode selecting the most representative and ornamental historical, cultural, natural, and modern landscapes from various provinces and cities. Using aerial flight routes as clues, it will showcase a beautiful China, ecological China, and civilized China that the audience is familiar with and full of freshness through storytelling.

    老广的味道
    TMDB3.5

    老广的味道

    2016 · CN

    No overview available

    Wild China With Ray Mears
    TMDB4.5

    Wild China With Ray Mears

    2021 · CN

    Ray Mears is on a journey of discovery among the landscapes and wildlife of China.Starting in the capital Beijing, and taking in wonders of the world like the Great Wall of China, Ray walks with elephants in the country's tropical rainforest, joins rangers rewilding the nation's giant pandas, searches for the elusive snow leopard, explores one of its most famous landscapes in Karst country, comes face to face with a brown bear, and treks in the foothills of the Himalayas alongside herbal medicine experts, uncovering secrets of its plants.

    YOLO: I Only Live Once
    TMDB3.6

    YOLO: I Only Live Once

    2024 · CN

    A behind-the-scenes documentary of the movie YOLO, which truthfully chronicles director Jia Ling's unknown behind-the-scenes stories while filming. Divided into 4 episodes, it serves not only as a documentary of the behind-the-scenes work of the movie but also as a full account of Jia Ling's adventurous and tumultuous journey to shape her character.

    Poles of Earth · On the Road
    TMDB4.5

    Poles of Earth · On the Road

    2018 · CN

    No overview available

    About Chinese Documentary TV Shows

    Chinese television

    Chinese television is built around costume drama and wuxia serials running to substantial episode counts, with a production scale that has few equivalents anywhere.

    Documentary

    Documentary series use length the way films can't — returning to subjects, following developments, and building cases across many hours. Streaming turned the format into a genuine cultural force.

    In this list

    Years covered
    1980–2024
    Often also
    Reality, Talk, Mystery
    Longest run
    556 seasons

    Common questions

    What are the best Chinese documentary TV shows?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are Lecture Room, 世界战史, and Eat the poor Taoist. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any show for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    Chinese documentary TV shows are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these TV shows?
    Every show page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

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    Other Genres

    AnimationDramaComedyWesternCrimeMysteryFamilyAction & AdventureKidsRealitySci-Fi & FantasySoap
    War & Politics

    Other Countries

    JapaneseKoreanFrenchItalianBritishGermanSpanishIndianHong KongSwedishMexicanBrazilianRussian

    In Theaters Too

    Chinese Documentary Movies