21 Best Chinese TV Series for Learning Mandarin in 2026

Do you know you can learn and improve your Mandarin by watching Chinese TV series?

Yes, that’s correct. Here are 21 great TV shows to help you learn Chinese — there’s something for everyone!

If you have reasons for learning Mandarin, you also have a wealth of materials to explore. From apps and books to videos and podcasts, you have all you need to assist you in enhancing your Chinese language skills.

Of all the options, there are countless possibilities in Chinese entertainment.

On-demand streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and many Chinese platforms, have become the primary source of entertainment. Binge-watching is almost second nature for us now.

The rabbit hole that starts with a promise of “Just one more episode?” leaves us finishing entire seasons in one go.

What if I say you could use the so-called waste of time to your best advantage, like studying Mandarin?

How? Let’s find out!

How can TV Series improve your Chinese language?
- Where can you watch Chinese TV shows?
21 Must-Watch Chinese TV Series for Learning Mandarin
Final Words on Studying Chinese with TV Series

How can TV Series improve your Chinese language?

Something as simple as watching a TV show could be a chance in the waiting. Use it wisely, and voilà! You are on your way to learning a brand-new language or improving an existing one.

Watching TV episodes or movies to learn Mandarin is an excellent way to enhance your reading and listening abilities. You can also increase your vocabulary and experience the language naturally.

Dramas and TV shows cater to ordinary people and everyday language. Although it is kept simple and easy to follow, you may encounter many colloquialisms and slang.

Seeing Chinese TV series is a great way to learn idioms and proverbs. You also hear and practice the authentic Mandarin Chinese spoken by locals.

Almost all Chinese shows and films include subtitles in Chinese characters. This is a significant benefit because it lets you become familiar with the symbols, honorifics, and sounds.

Did you know our brains retain information associated with what we enjoy more quickly?

For example, as opposed to reading from a textbook, you are much more likely to recall the words and phrases you learn while watching a show.

So why not maximize your time by combining productivity with enjoying Mandarin TV series?

Also, learning Mandarin Chinese from a TV show would mean that the conversations you hear would provide much context. It would then help you understand the meaning and usage of the words you learn.

This will help students study not only grammar and vocabulary but also the way they speak and pronounce words, as native speakers do.

TV shows give you the advantage of vicariously living the lifestyle and culture of the Chinese.

Shows often discuss trending and viral issues and popularize the phrases and notions that are currently the most used among natives.

It would help you identify, feel more connected, and understand different Chinese languages.

Remember that watching Chinese TV series requires more effort than just sitting back and watching. You must actively participate to understand what they are saying.

Don’t forget to write anything you hear you don’t understand! Then you can pause, go slowly, repeat, and use a dictionary to assist with your study.

Where can you watch Chinese TV shows?

Once you have decided to watch Chinese shows, the next big question is where to watch them.

iQIYI, WeTv, Viki, Mango TV, Youku, Tencent Video, Migu Video, Bilibili, PPTV, and Sohu TV are some of the top picks. These websites also offer all Chinese TV Series legally and for free.

There are many more options, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, MX Player, and other online streaming services, from which you can watch Chinese TV series from home.

Netflix has a massive library of Chinese films and TV Series across genres. From comedy and thriller to romance and drama, you will find everything.

Plus, you can enjoy documentaries, animated content, and award-winning Netflix originals. You can watch as much as you want whenever you fancy.

Most do not offer download options. However, a few platforms, such as YouKu, Amazon, Netflix, and Tencent Video, allow you to download Chinese TV series to your mobile or laptop. You can then watch them later without an internet connection.

You can access a wide range of free content. But most require a subscription plan or VIP access to all videos and premium features.

21 Must-Watch Chinese TV Series for Learning Mandarin

Doing what you like is the best way to learn anything. For example, if you love watching Chinese TV series and learning Mandarin, combine both to take your language journey to the next level.

The only remaining point is: where should I begin?

We’ve compiled a list of the 21 best TV series for learning Chinese. This is certain to get you started learning Mandarin.

1. Day and Night (白夜追凶) — 2017

This show is one of mainland China’s best suspense shows ever produced.

It’s a crime drama about a brilliant investigator who has a phobia of the dark and how to exchange identities at night. He solves murder cases with his identical twin brother, a fugitive.

Meanwhile, they gather evidence to show that the fleeing brother is not guilty. The plot captivates you and makes you want to watch each episode right after the other.

In terms of language, many of the characters have a Beijing accent. Unlike other dialects, Mandarin is understood by nearly everyone in China. This is China’s official dialect and is based on the Beijing dialect.

2. Chosen (杀无赦) — 2018

Based on an American show of the same name, Chosen is a strong option for beginners to learn the language.

This action-thriller is set in Australia and follows a surgeon’s story. He receives a gun and a photograph of a stranger. Then orders to murder the stranger in the picture.

A significant portion of the show features English dialogue to make it familiar and engaging.

Except for the starring character, who speaks with a slight Taiwanese accent, the Mandarin in this episode is natural and standard. This makes it easy to follow.

3. Take my Brother Away (快把我哥带走) — 2017

This Chinese TV Series is a must-see for everyone who likes comedy. “Take My Brother Away” is a sitcom about a high school girl’s relationship with her younger brother.

The story follows Shi Miao and Shi Fen as they navigate the hardships of growing up without their parents. They steer life through negotiating friendships and issues at school.

The Mandarin used in this comedy is conventional and easy to understand. Also, because the show is about the day-to-day lives of a high school girl and her brother, you can pick up a lot of beginner phrases.

4. Ode to Joy (欢乐颂) — 2016

Ode to Joy is a TV show about five modern ladies who reside on the same floor of the “Ode to Joy” apartment complex in Shanghai.

The story is very entertaining and easy to follow. It depicts several modern Chinese women navigating the joys and challenges of life.

This Chinese TV series also explores various sensitive topics. For instance, money, being raised as an orphan in Chinese society, and being an outcast among people. The routine conversations will help you pick up essential words and phrases.

5. A Bright World (世界青年说) — 2015

‘A Bright World’ is a Chinese reality show that features panel discussions among foreigners. Each episode features a panel of young, attractive foreigners living in China.

Every week, the topic of conversation is different and spreads across various subjects. Each participant expresses their personal opinion on the subject.

This talk show is helpful for beginners, as it may motivate them to observe immigrants speaking fluent Chinese. If you aim to build a career that requires Chinese, watch it.

6. A love so beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好) — 2017

A Love So Beautiful is a typical high-school Chinese drama. The story revolves around high school friends and their lives as students. Like most dramas, a happy girl admires the “ideal” guy, who is well-known for his looks and achievements.

A Love So Beautiful, much like its title, is a sweet and light drama set primarily in high school. However, it transitions to adulthood later. You cannot afford to miss this show and appreciate innocent and easy-to-grasp stories.

The dialogue in this show is simple and mundane. However, it is a fantastic place to learn teenage slang and its appeal.

This drama contains many unfamiliar words because it depicts such varied lives. Thus, many fields are covered. This can help intermediate levels of HSK.

7. Go Ahead (以家人之名) — 2020

Go Ahead is a Chinese drama series based on family and its bonds. It is the saga of three children who are not blood-related but become family to one another.

They continue to support one another through life’s ups and downs. The story shows all the characters’ life stages, from childhood through adulthood.

As life happens, minor skirmishes and issues begin to affect their relationship. Still, their relationship does not break, and they make it through these obstacles.

The conversations involve common topics and family matters. So, they comprise basic Chinese phrases that will be easy for you to learn and understand. This can also help you clear the initial levels of the Mandarin proficiency test.

8. Love till the end of summer (夏至未至) — 2017

Love Till the End of Summer, also known as Rush to the Dead Summer, is a Chinese drama. This is based on Guo Jingming’s novel of the same name.

They spread the story of the ten-year drama. It follows a group of young, ambitious high school friends who select different paths after graduating.

Everyone is chasing their aspirations. But they are all confronted with difficulties, broken bonds and promises, and legal troubles. And even the deaths of friends and family.

Over the years, each friend develops and comes to distrust the other’s friendship.

9. My Huckleberry Friends (你好) — 2017

Another high-school romance, My Huckleberry Friends, is a coming-of-age story with a romantic subplot.

It is based on Ba Yue Chang An’s Hello, Old Time novels. Our primary character, Yu Zhou Zhou, is a math genius who battles her family and professors to pursue her interest in the liberal arts.

She defies their expectations and pursues what she truly desires. But when rumors start affecting her friendships, how will she handle it?

My Huckleberry Friends series tells a beautiful narrative about friendship and passion. The contemporary language is simple enough to learn from, making this drama a must-watch.

10. Put your head on my shoulder (致我们暖暖的小时光) — 2019

In this show, Situ Mo is a graduate student. She always underestimates herself. This results from believing she will never be self-sufficient and is unsure about her plans.

After being estranged, she meets Gu Wei, a physics major. They are both drawn to one another without even recognizing it. Yet destiny is on their side, and they must accept that they must live with one another.

This Chinese TV Series is a perfect romantic comedy, with emotions portrayed in a raw, unfiltered way. The language is also easy to pick up, and the series focuses on university students, making it relevant.

11. Empresses in the Palace (后宫甄嬛传) — 2011

Empresses in the Palace is a period Chinese drama set during the Qing Dynasty. This is one of the best historical dramas broadcast in mainland China in recent years.

As you would expect from Chinese cinematography, it has an outstanding visual appearance. But the story’s point of view also makes it distinct, and it includes elements such as love, loss, and betrayal to keep you on the edge.

With amazing scenes, stories, and stars, this is one of the top-notch Chinese TV series for Mandarin learners. You can watch it for free on YouTube.

Dialogues are tricky to understand and require advanced-level skills. However, this Chinese series can help with higher levels of the HSK Mandarin test.

12. Meteor Garden (流星花园) — 2018

The journey of school friends is the central plot of Meteor Garden. They accepted the main character into a prestigious school. Still, she is bullied by a student, making it challenging for her to fit into life among the affluent and elites.

Eventually, she forms friendships with a group of boys who help her cope with her struggles and bullying.

This show beautifully explores themes of powerful, genuine friendship and high school struggles. As with most high school dramas, the language is straightforward.

13. Scissor Seven (刺客伍六七) — 2020

The plot follows Seven, a hairdresser with amnesia who lives with his buddy and boss, Daibo, who is also a chicken. It has lots of action, animation, and adventure.

Seven is convinced that he needs to save money for a costly medical procedure because his history is a mystery. So, he decides that becoming an assassin is the ideal way.

Seven is, however, a goofball who cannot kill anything despite being able to manipulate the weapon of his choice — scissors.

This series is a must-watch for refining your Chinese jokes. Novices can watch the show with English subtitles, and intermediate and advanced students can try Chinese subtitles.

14. Kangsi Coming (康熙來了) — 2004

Even though “Kangsi Coming” is a Taiwanese variety talk show, it is worth noting that it is a TV show that might help you learn Chinese. It’s amusing and addictive.

With nearly 3,000 episodes over 12 years, you get the impression that you’re learning something new while viewing it.

The hosts of the show discuss the most contentious issues and queries.

They also bring issues to life in an astonishingly delightful and exciting way. Finally, it enables performers and audience members to participate in the discourse.

The only disadvantage is the lack of English subtitles. Thus, it is suitable for advanced or upper-intermediate learners rather than beginners.

15. My Fair Princess (还珠格格) — 1998

They set this narrative in ancient Beijing and follow two characters. ‘Little Swallow’ is a street performer and con artist. And a well-mannered girl who was revealed to be the Chinese emperor’s illegitimate child.

The two girls join in returning the emperor’s daughter to her father. But, unfortunately, ‘Little Swallow’ is escorted to the palace instead because of misunderstandings.

This iconic series was China’s most financially successful drama series for almost two decades. It combines poised, imperial, and comedic elements.

It is an ideal watch for intermediate Chinese language students. If you plan to study in China, TV series like this can help.

16. A little reunion (小欢喜) — 2019ooooooooooooooo

The ‘Gaokao,’ China’s infamous college admission exam, which is a significant concern in China, is featured in this show. Three senior high school students and their families experience a range of emotions as they navigate life and pursue their ambitions.

The Chinese TV series depicts their lives, challenges, tensions, and concerns. It happens when students prepare for the most crucial yet challenging examination of their lives.

The family bonds and friendships provide a solid foundation for the rich language. The show also offers a direct peek into the lives of Chinese families and teenagers, which is a splendid reason not to miss it.

17. The King’s Avatar (全职高手) — 2019

The King’s Avatar is an action-focused e-sports series from China. Unfortunately, former gaming champion Ye Xiu has been forced to retire.

As a manager of an internet café, he spends his time after he falls from the top. After that, he reinvents himself online and slowly returns to the top.

This is an exceptional drama for gamers who want to learn about Chinese gaming culture and are into gaming.

This Chinese TV series is designed for elementary-level learners, but you will still learn many sports-related words and phrases for everyday use.

18. The Victims’ Game (谁是被害者) — 2020

This Chinese Netflix drama explores true crime and the law. This is an original Taiwanese Netflix series with plenty of Taiwanese accents.

The story revolves around forensic scientist Fang Yi-Jen and journalist Hsu Hai-Yin. Fang Yi-Jen’s daughter is linked to mysterious murders, and they risk everything to solve the case.

This drama is only meant for advanced-level speakers. It contains some complex legal terms and phrases, as well as many Taiwanese accents.

For example, if you are preparing for the Chinese proficiency test, the TOCFL advanced Band C.

19. Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜) — 2015

Adapted from Hai Yan’s book Lang Ya Bang, Nirvana in Fire is a historical drama.

Twelve years earlier, Lin Shu had been accused of treason for his family’s involvement in a conspiracy. So, to seek justice, he, under the alias Mei Changsu, enters Liang’s capital in this Chinese drama.

This is one of the most-viewed Chinese TV series. A sequel, Nirvana in Fire II: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin, was released in 2017.

This TV show is remarkable for intermediate-level learners. It contains some complex phrases and tricky honorifics, but you can use this series to motivate you!

20. When a Snail Falls in Love (如果蜗牛有爱情) — 2016

If you want a nail-biting thriller and mystery series, check out When a Snail Falls in Love. You won’t be disappointed with this show, with 21 episodes.

As one of the best dramas in 2016, it received over 1 billion views online. The show has the potential to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the series.

Solving crimes is the show’s theme. The psychology unit’s XuXu is a criminal profiler who can read situations and infer meaning. Ji Bai is the unit’s captain, a fun character, and one who does the hard stuff.

The dialogue and storyline in each episode are slow and easy to follow, which provides better context for understanding and learning new words.

21. Fated to Love You (命中注定我愛你) — 2008

Fated to Love You is a Rom-Com Taiwanese television series.

There are many fun plot twists in this romantic comedy show. Because of a series of accidents, two strangers are forced to stay together.

As the name says, “Fated to Love You” is a magnificent love story with many comical scenes and romance. Many twists also keep you binge-watching for the entire series.

The storylines draw on traditional Chinese elements but use simple language. You will see many things from the Taiwanese Chinese variant. If you plan to take the TOCFL test, watch this.

Final Words on Studying Chinese with TV Series

A word of caution. Chinese TV Series alone is not enough to learn Mandarin.

However, studying Chinese with a teacher or at a language school can significantly benefit you. You can also take the help of Chinese language learning apps.

TV shows can help you improve your listening skills, expand your vocabulary, and deepen your understanding of China’s rich history, culture, and customs.

You’re encouraged to take on this enjoyable and doable task by now. Something as meaningful as studying Chinese has become much more entertaining and easier thanks to these 21 TV series!

These are just a few TV shows that can help you learn Chinese. This can be a start, motivating you to enhance your language skills while enjoying yourself.

Go ahead and begin your journey to learning Mandarin and the Chinese way of life through Chinese TV Series.

Do you have any recommendations for Chinese TV series we may have missed? Please feel free to share in the comments below.

21 Top TV Series for Chinese Learners in 2026

Table of Contents