21 brilliant podcasts all about China

Get to know China better with our pick of the pods

Images: courtesy publishers; design: Tana
There's never a bad time to start learning about something new, but in a city like Shanghai that moves a million miles an hour, sometimes it can be hard to find the time. That's where podcasts come in. Whether you're cleaning, showering or on your morning commute, the true beauty of the podcast is that you can listen to it anywhere and – in addition to entertaining you – many shows will teach you a thing or two. Whatever your interests – culture, business, history, tech – broaden your knowledge about the country we call home with these top podcasts all about China.

News and current events

The Beijing Hour

The Beijing Hour

Get your daily dose of news straight to your ear every morning with The Beijing Hour's hour-long news debrief. While the podcast does cover major international headlines, it focuses on the news in and around China relating to the country. As well as the top news, it also covers business, sport, entertainment and the weather. 

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China in the World

China in the World

Brought to the world by the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing, China in the World talks foreign policy, international relations and China's role in the world. Director of the Center, Paul Haenle, talks to Chinese and international experts.


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Sinica

Sinica

Established in 2010, Sinica is a veteran on the scene and the calibre of guests suggests that hosts Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn have built up some considerable guanxi over that time. The content is accessible, featuring the kind of conversations about modern business, culture and politics that you might expect to overhear at an informal dinner following a formal lecture.

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Inside China

Inside China

Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post's regular news podcast takes a more in-depth look at some of the biggest news stories of the moment. Whether it's Huawei, the Covid vaccine or the environment, the podcast gives listeners some extra insights beyond the articles with the help of professional journalists and guest interviews. 

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Culture

Mosaic of China

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, writers, government workers, designers, entrepreneurs, musicians and more to share their insights and experiences, with plenty of amusing anecdotes along the way.

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The Little Red Podcast

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 aims to cover current issues and how they impact the world at large, especially from little known corners of the country often unmentioned in the media.

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Strangers in China

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.

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Unravel Storytelling

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.

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Wǒ Men

Wǒ 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. 

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Environment China

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. 

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NüVoices

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. 

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Business

Bottled in China

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. 

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Ta for Ta: Women, Success, China

Ta for Ta: Women, Success, China

See China through the eyes of women at the top of their professional game in this female-focused business podcast hosted by Juliana Batista. Founded back in 2017, over the years 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.

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Middle Earth: China’s Cultural Industry Podcast

Middle Earth: China’s Cultural Industry Podcast

How does Beijing influence Hollywood studios? Where are the indie films in China? How does online KOL marketing work in China? These are just some of the questions addressed in this niche podcast that focuses on China’s cultural industry. Each episode features an interview between industry insiders and the host Aladin Farré that offer a look at China's actually thriving cultural industry. 

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History

Chinese Characters

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. 

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China History Podcast

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. 

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Intrigue: Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel

Intrigue: Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel

If true crime is the vehicle for podcasting success, the story of the mysterious murder of British businessman Neil Heywood in Chongqing in 2011 provides the perfect material. With its juicy combination of sex, death and elite politics, the story is brought to life by journalist Carrie Gracie in a fast-paced, racy five-part series.

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Tech

Tech Buzz China by Pandaily

Tech Buzz China by Pandaily

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 in China. The show's conversational style makes it easily digestible even if you’re not a regular tech news follower. 

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China Tech Investor

China Tech Investor

If you've got an interest in China’s tech or startup ecosystem you'll likely have heard of tech media platform TechNode, and (if you haven't already) you'll want to subscribe to its 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 China’s tech sphere. 

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Language

Learning Chinese through Stories

Learning Chinese through Stories

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. 

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You Can Learn Chinese

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, finding a language teacher as well as casual chat. 

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