Where to Watch Chinese Dramas & TV Shows

★ Makes it easy to find Chinese TV dramas from multiple video sources. Baishou Video TV Drama Channel (百搜视频电视剧频道) is a Chinese-language video search and streaming hub featuring current series, complete dramas, and collections organized by theme and genre. The site and app are free to access, although individual titles may be subject to the originating provider’s availability restrictions. Available on the web and iOS.

★ Offers live and on-demand programming from 19 CCTV channels. CCTV Program Website is China Central Television’s official program platform, with Mandarin-language news, TV dramas, documentaries, variety shows, animation, sports, cultural programs and other broadcasts. The site also includes channel schedules, program archives and search tools, with much of its content available to watch free. Please Note: Some videos and live broadcasts may be unavailable outside mainland China due to regional licensing restrictions. Available on the web and iOS.

★ A Chinese-language streaming platform with a broad mix of mainland dramas, movies, variety shows, animation, documentaries, sports and short dramas. iQIYI China is the mainland Chinese version of iQIYI, offering both free viewing and VIP membership for additional content and viewing privileges. Availability varies by location, and some videos may be restricted outside mainland China due to licensing. There is an international version available on this list.

★ Chinese-language cartoons, children’s songs, educational programs, and documentaries are organized by age and topic. iQIYI Children’s Channel is iQIYI’s kids section, offering animation, nursery songs, early-learning videos, science and nature programs, and other children’s content for a range of ages. Many videos can be watched free, while some titles or episodes require an iQIYI membership.

★ A large catalog of Chinese television dramas includes both free and members-only titles. LeTV Video is a Chinese streaming service offering TV dramas, movies, animation, variety shows, documentaries, short dramas and other video content. Its TV section features a large selection of mainland Chinese series, with some programs available free and others requiring a paid membership. Available on the web and iPad.

★ A major source of Chinese variety shows, dramas, reality programs, and exclusive original productions. Mango TV (芒果TV) is a Chinese streaming platform operated by Hunan Broadcasting System’s internet video service, with programming that includes Hunan Satellite TV shows, dramas, movies, children’s programs, anime, documentaries, and live content. Some videos are free to watch, while VIP membership is required for certain programs and additional viewing features. Content availability can vary by country or region due to licensing restrictions. There is an international version available on this list.

★ A large Chinese-language streaming library with entertainment and sports in one place. PP视频, formerly PPTV 聚力视频, offers Chinese TV dramas, movies, variety shows, anime, sports, and other video content, with free viewing alongside paid VIP content and membership features. Available on the web and iOS.

★ A strong source of native Mandarin across dramas, variety shows, animation, documentaries, and more. Tencent Video (腾讯视频) is a major Chinese streaming platform with a large selection of TV dramas, movies, variety programs, animation, documentaries, music, and children’s content. It offers a mix of free viewing and VIP or other paid content, although some videos may be unavailable outside mainland China because of regional licensing restrictions. Tencent has an international version of their service available on this list. See "WeTV."

★ Offers a large selection of cartoons and educational programs designed for younger viewers. Tencent Video Kids Channel (腾讯视频少儿频道) features Mandarin-language cartoons, children’s series, songs, picture-book stories, science and educational programs, with a mix of free and VIP content. Some videos may be unavailable outside mainland China because of regional licensing restrictions.

★ A broad source of authentic Mandarin entertainment, including dramas, movies, variety shows, anime, and documentaries. Sohu Video (搜狐视频) is a Chinese streaming platform with a large selection of professionally produced shows, films, original programs, and other video content. Much of the content can be watched free with ads, while VIP membership and some titles require payment. Some videos are restricted to viewers in mainland China because of licensing rights. Available on the web, Android and iOS.

★ Features Chinese animation, entertainment, documentaries, and short-form video. Tudou (土豆视频) is a Chinese video platform with animation, variety shows, educational programs, documentaries, lifestyle content, and short videos. Some content is available free, while other content may require a membership or be unavailable outside China because of regional licensing restrictions. Available on the web and iOS.

★ Offers a broad mix of entertainment with free viewing and optional VIP upgrades. Uvod TV (优视频) is an online streaming site with movies, TV dramas, variety shows, anime, sports, and documentaries. It offers free viewing alongside a paid VIP membership that adds benefits such as higher video quality, VIP-only titles, playback-speed controls, and ad filtering. I tested the site and was able to watch quite a bit without a VPN.

★ Large selection of Chinese dramas, movies, variety shows, anime, and other entertainment. Youku (优酷) is a Chinese streaming platform with dramas, movies, variety shows, short dramas, anime, children’s programming, documentaries, and more. Some videos and episodes are free to watch, while a VIP membership provides access to additional content and benefits such as ad-free viewing, higher video quality, and early access to some releases. Availability varies by region, and some content on the Chinese site may be unavailable in the US because of licensing restrictions. There is an international version also available on this list.

★ Age labels make it easy to find Mandarin children’s content for different stages. Youku Kids (优酷少儿) offers cartoons, educational programs, audio stories, songs, and Chinese culture content for children, with a mix of free, VIP, and individually paid selections. Some programming may be unavailable in the U.S. due to regional licensing restrictions. Available on the web and through the 小小优酷 iOS app.