16 brilliant podcasts all about China to listen in 2021
There's never a bad time to start learning about something new, but in a city like Beijing that moves a million miles an hour, sometimes it can be hard to find the time. That's where podcasts come in.
History
CHINESE CHARACTERS
This series of essay-podcasts takes you through a stunning journey of Chinese history, told through the lives and deeds of key figures in the nation's long life. From Deng Xiaoping to Confucius, Chinese Characters will help you brush up on your Chinese historical knowledge with this quirky take on retelling the past.
CHINA HISTORY PODCAST
With an incredible rate of productivity that sees episodes turned out on a weekly basis, Lazlo Montgomery is like that jovial uncle who knows how to sprinkle on just the right amount of humour and storytelling finesse to his informative pods. From a ten-part series on the Warlord Era to an analysis of traditional Chinese idioms (成语, chengyu), the China History Podcast is a fun springboard into an understanding of some of China's most significant moments in history.
Culture
MOSAIC OF CHINA
Taking a look at life in China through the eyes of individuals from all walks who call the country home, in Mosaic of China's roughly 30-minute-long episodes (that take the form of a very casual Q&A) host Oscar Fuchs invites everyone from scholars to writers, government workers, designers, entrepreneurs, musicians and more to share their insights and experiences, with plenty of amusing anecdotes along the way.
WO MEN
Produced and hosted by Yajun Zhang and Jingjing Zhang, the Wǒ Men podcast talks about all things concerning women in China. From topics such as sexual consent and pregnancy to tackling mental health stigma, the podcast runs the gamut of diversity and variety in today's female China.
THE LITTLE RED PODCAST
Co-hosted by academic Graeme Smith (a China studies academic at ANU's Department of Pacific Affairs) and journalist Louisa Lim (former BBC and NPR correspondent in China), The Little Red Podcast covers all things China. Via discussions with various guests, the podcast explores current issues and how they impact the world at large, especially from less-known corners of the country often unmentioned in the media.
STRANGERS IN CHINA
One from the Sinica Podcast Network (SupChina), written and co-produced by US native Clay Baldo, Strangers in China dives into the lives of a generation of young Chinese searching for freedom of expression and self-identity set against the backdrop of huge cultural changes triggered by fast economic growth. The podcast explores happiness, ambitions, sexuality and more.
UNRAVEL STORYTELLING
If you're a fan of Shanghai's homegrown live storytelling show Unravel, you'll definitely love the podcast. Sharing the everyday stories of the city's residents, each episode – hosted by the show's founder Clara Davis and co-produced by Sarah Boorboor – offers a kind of behind-the-scenes look at a story from the monthly live shows via a mix of audio excerpts along with a conversation between Davis and the featured storyteller where they share updates and new reflections. Currently you can listen to the first season, with the second season slated for release in late February.
ENVIRONMENT CHINA
This weekly, bilingual podcast is supported by the Beijing Energy Network and covers all sorts of topics relating to China's environment. Environment China hosts discussions on new strategies, solutions and changes, as well as interviews with activists.
NÜVOICES
Hosted by Chenni Xu, Cindy Gao and Joanna Chi, NüVoices tells the stories of women throughout China. They explore the role of women in media, the arts, abuses of power, international and domestic politics, and so much more with episodes that delve into topics like legal advocacy against domestic violence, technology and bias, as well as screenwriting, fantasy writing and translating Chinese poetry.
BOTTLED IN CHINA
Although pretty Shanghai heavy, this podcast looks at the F&B scene in China, with interviews from bartenders, brewers, restaurant owners and more. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, Bottled in China provides insights you never knew you needed into what it's like doing business in the food and drink world of China.
TA FOR TA
See China through the eyes of women at the top of their professional game in female-focused business podcast Ta for Ta: Women, Success, China. Founded back in 2017, over the years host Juliana Batista has invited guests to share insights and lessons on everything from entrepreneurship in China to WeChat marketing to documentary filmmaking to female role models and lots more.
MIDDLE EARTH: CHINA'S CULTURAL INDUSTRY
How does Beijing influence Hollywood studios? Where are the indie films in China? How does online KOL marketing work? These are just some of the questions addressed in Middle Earth: China’s Cultural Industry Podcast. Each episode features an interview between industry insiders and the host Aladin Farré that offer a look at China's actually cultural scene.
Tech
Whether you're curious about general tech trends in China or, more specifically, you want to find out about the livestreaming ecommerce boom or you wonder what makes certain TikTok videos so successful, join Rui Ma and Ying Lu for a fortnightly chat on everything tech. The show's conversational style makes it easily digestible even if you’re not a regular tech news follower.
CHINA TECH INVESTOR
If you've got an interest in China’s tech or startup ecosystem you'll likely have heard of media platform TechNode, and (if you haven't already) you'll want to subscribe to its regular podcast China Tech Investor. Co-hosted by TechNode contributor Elliott Zaagman and investor James Hull, each episode brings in a different specialist to talk about emerging trends, business advice and general news within the tech sphere.
Language
We’re surprised this series hasn’t had more traction, as it’s a great way to practise listening skills with ‘chicken soup for the soul’-style tales. Each episode in Learning Chinese through Stories is broken down into a full read-through followed by a recap that uses simple Chinese to explain the more difficult vocabulary and grammar. The range of proficiency levels and accompanying transcript are also useful.
YOU CAN LEARN CHINESE
Learning a language can feel like a one-man battle and it makes it a little easier if you’ve had mentors who’ve been there and done that. That’s what Jared Turner and John Pasden’s podcast is about – giving motivation to all the Chinese learners out there. Expect tips for improving fluency, recommendations for finding a language teacher as well as casual chat.
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