Hey. I want to learn mandarin Chinese and I was thinking of having some contact with the language before that. That way, I can get used to it and its pronunciation, among other things.

So I'd like to know some good, translated (subtitled) programmes. Genre doesn't matter as long as it's good.

Thank you very much

You can try "Shanghai Bund"?

that sounds really interesting, thanks. Any more? (btw, I have a weakness for historical fiction and court intrigues)

I can't really verify if these are Mandarin or a different dialect though (don't speak Chinese). I like Wuxia stuff, so most of them are of that genre.


Bu Bu Jing Xin (historical drama, romance, political intrigue) - Girl time travels to time of Kangxi Emperor's reign. Likeable heroine but the plot gets incredibly angsty later on. (They always hook me with comedy and just leave me dry!)

My Bratty Princess (wuxia, political intrigue, romance) - Noble girl crossdresses and becomes sworn brothers with some influential people.

Legendary Siblings (1999 version, wuxia, action) - Twin brothers separated at birth get used in a revenge plot by those who raised them.

Lan Ling Wang (historical drama) - Haven't finished this so this isn't a true recommendation, but it's about General Lanling who is supposedly one of the most beautiful men of Chinese history. The guy in here's more handsome than beautiful, but you're going to have to suspend your disbelief to get through the first couple of episodes about that (you'll see what I mean).

Legend of Condor Hero (1994 or 2008 version, wuxia, action) - A story of two boys who grow up very differently. One guy's a villainous schemer and the other honest but slightly dumb. (I actually like the 2008 version more surprisingly.)

Return of Condor Heroes (1995 version, wuxia, action) - Highly recommended you watch a version of the prequel before you start on this, but it can still be enjoyed on its one. You just miss some character insight, since this is about the second generation. Personally, I like the second generation better as the characters seem more refined. The main guy is very interesting clever dude (albeit, really pitiful).

Enough people seem to like the 2006 version, so you could watch it, but I hated it (the production values were great though). I hate how it spent so much time in childhood and the deal breaker was me hating the guy who plays the lead. I'm probably the only one who thinks his acting sucks, but there, I said it. He seems to make this smirking face in all of his dramas regardless of the scene.

Treasure Venture (wuxia, action, romance) - A girl is raised to take revenge for her mother, but grows up to be a prankster slacker.

I haven't seen this, but I recently found out Chang Ge Xing was adapted to a drama. Hm...

Well, as you may have guessed from the silence, most modern Chinese dramas suck (there's a reason most Chinese are watching Korean dramas online instead. Shanghai Bund is a Hong Kong production so maybe you'll have more luck with those).

There are plenty of entertaining wuxia series, but I'm not quite sure if that'd be best for learning Chinese (unless you're prepared to deal with a lot of old idioms and such).

I'm doing the same too! I like to watch Chinese variety. I Am A Singer is all on youtube, there's Happy Camp, and also Where To, Dad?.

Also sugoideas has a long list of Taiwanese drama and variety.

Good luck!!

When looking for a new drama to watch I use http://mydramalist.com/shows/top and set the parameters. You can also make a list of shows you watched, want to watch, ratings and reviews.

thank you very much for all the recs, I've started watching Bu Bu Jing Xin and it's been pretty enjoyable so far

I'd also love something in which the characters (or maybe just one or a few) are very cunning and not afraid to trick others to get what they want.

PS: SilverStorm, I also know about the Chang Ge Xing drama but when I read the synopsis it turned out to be completely different from the manhua, I was really disappointed...