Chinese Podcasts for Listening Practice
Find recommended podcast apps, Chinese listening platforms with extensive libraries of native audio, and individual Chinese podcasts for learners at every level. Options range from beginner-friendly lessons to natural conversations, news, stories, and shows created for native speakers.
Need a podcast app? See our recommended podcast players here.
Chinese Podcasts Apps & Listening Platforms
Himalaya Podcast is an incredibly valuable app for anyone learning Chinese. Designed specifically for Chinese speakers, Himalaya offers a vast selection of native-level Chinese podcasts. With content covering topics like business, leadership, self-development, sports, health, and exercise, this app provides an immersive experience ideal for improving language skills. Many users consider it one of the most impactful tools for accelerating Chinese learning, with daily access to high-quality, authentic input.
Paid / Free Trial
Ximalaya FM is a Chinese podcasting platform with its headquarters in Pudong, Shanghai. It is the largest podcast and audio content platform in China with over 600 million users in China, 50 million overseas users, and 10 million content creators.
FreePodcasts for All Levels
ChinesePod offers lessons built around short dialogues, followed by explanations of the featured vocabulary and grammar. Beginner and lower-intermediate lessons rely heavily on English, so they may be more useful for structured study than for immersive listening practice. At the upper-intermediate and advanced levels, much more of the discussion takes place in Chinese, with advanced lessons conducted almost entirely in Mandarin. The hosts’ conversations about each dialogue can be especially valuable, as they provide more natural speech, repetition and context than the scripted dialogue itself.
ChinesePod also has an extensive YouTube channel with video lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, everyday expressions and other Mandarin learning topics.
Learn Chinese Through Stories offers immersive podcast episodes spoken almost entirely in Mandarin. Content ranges from novice to advanced, with many lessons divided into two parts: the original story and a follow-up explanation featuring helpful discussion and vocabulary. Beginners should start with episodes labeled 1.X.X, though the episode library can be difficult to navigate. Most episodes are available free through podcast platforms, while transcripts, annotated vocabulary and other learning materials are available through the show's membership.
Visit their website, watch on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Beginner Level Podcasts
Melnyks Chinese provides progressive, theme-based audio lessons designed for complete beginners. Each lesson introduces practical Mandarin words and phrases with clear explanations and plenty of repetition. Learners also hear several speakers, which provides exposure to different voices and pronunciation. The beginning of the course is free, and its audio lessons are available on major podcast platforms under the title “Learn Mandarin Chinese–Chinese Audio Lessons.” Additional materials, including transcripts, worksheets, videos and mobile apps, may require payment. Because the lessons contain considerable English, learners with some Mandarin experience may prefer a more immersive resource.
Free / PaidBeginner to Intermediate Level Podcasts
Lazy Chinese helps beginners strengthen their listening skills through slow, carefully graded Mandarin. The host makes each topic easier to follow by presenting key language in several ways and providing plenty of context. Because certain lessons use on-screen pictures or objects, beginners may find the YouTube channel especially helpful. You can also listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or visit the Lazy Chinese website.
FreeIntermediate Level Podcasts
A strong choice for intermediate learners who want to progress toward natural Mandarin. Shenglan speaks clearly and keeps the language approachable while discussing Chinese culture, society, everyday life, and contemporary issues. Listen to Chinese Podcast With Shenglan on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or watch Shenglan’s Mandarin content on YouTube.
Free
Convo Chinese gives intermediate and advanced learners the chance to hear authentic Mandarin conversations on everything from everyday experiences to international politics. The host chats with native speakers and, occasionally, highly proficient learners, so the language feels spontaneous and natural. Difficulty can vary depending on the topic and guests, but trying a few episodes should help you find a comfortable starting point. Free transcripts and vocabulary lists are provided with the episodes. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or visit the podcast website.
Free / Paid
Haike Mandarin offers relaxed, unscripted conversations between friends discussing everyday topics and sharing stories from their lives. Rather than presenting structured lessons, the podcast gives learners a chance to hear native speakers chatting naturally in casual Taiwanese Mandarin. Episodes typically run for 20–30 minutes, making this a strong choice for intermediate and advanced learners who want extended, Chinese-only listening practice with authentic conversation.
Listen to Haike Mandarin on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or watch episodes on their YouTube channel.
Learn Chinese with Ju uses short, story-based episodes to help learners build listening comprehension and pick up new vocabulary through context. Host Julie Chien encourages listeners to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words rather than relying immediately on translations, creating a more immersive listening experience. Episodes cover a variety of everyday and cultural topics and are not arranged by difficulty, so learners can choose whichever subjects interest them. The podcast is no longer actively producing new episodes, but its archive remains available.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or browse the creator’s official episode archive on Medium.
Designed for intermediate learners, this Chinese-only podcast features extended monologues on a variety of engaging topics. The experienced teacher-host speaks clearly and at a measured pace without making the episodes sound like formal lessons. Most run for 15–20 minutes, providing plenty of sustained listening practice in natural Taiwanese Mandarin. Each episode also includes a CEFR difficulty rating, from A1 to C2, so you can more easily choose material suited to your level.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Learn Taiwanese Mandarin offers intermediate and advanced learners extended listening practice in natural Taiwanese Mandarin. Episodes typically run 15–35 minutes and cover varied subjects, including everyday life, Taiwanese culture, current events and social issues. From the fourth episode onward, the podcast is entirely in Chinese, with challenging vocabulary clarified through slower, simpler explanations. Some episodes also introduce useful Taiwanese Hokkien, making this a strong choice for learners who want exposure to the language and culture of Taiwan.
Visit the Learn Taiwanese Mandarin website, watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you are intermediate level but aren't ready for a Chinese-only podcast, this show is a great fit. Hosts Tom and Ula are an English-Taiwanese couple who make learning Mandarin fun through their bilingual "Chinglish" podcast. Their relaxed, unscripted conversations mix English and Mandarin at a natural pace, making the Chinese easier to follow while still giving you plenty of authentic listening practice. Episodes often run around an hour and cover a wide variety of topics, from everyday life and relationships to culture, language learning and current interests.
Listen to Mandarin Monkey on the Mandarin Monkey website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
MaoMi Chinese provides short listening practice for intermediate Mandarin learners, with episodes covering language, culture, and everyday topics. The host speaks primarily in Chinese and explains challenging vocabulary and expressions in a learner-friendly way. Because many episodes follow prepared scripts, the speech can feel more structured and information-dense than casual conversation. A generous selection is available for free, while some content requires a paid subscription.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or visit the MaoMi Chinese website for transcripts and additional learning materials.
Suitable for intermediate to advanced learners, Slow Chinese (慢速中文) is a cultural podcast featuring personal narratives by native Chinese speakers read in Mandarin at a deliberately slow pace of about 2–3 characters per second.Topics range from language, knowledge, traditions and culture to opinions on Chinese society and contemporary issues. The slower delivery makes the episodes more approachable for learners transitioning toward native-level listening material.
The podcast is no longer in production, but its extensive archive contains more than 200 episodes. You can browse the preserved Slow Chinese website and transcripts, listen on Apple Podcasts or access the audio archive on Internet Archive.
Speaking Chinese with Da Peng is a strong choice for intermediate learners who want to hear clear, natural Mandarin without relying on textbook-style dialogues. Episodes include practical expressions, conversations with experienced learners, and more spontaneous discussions, with the difficulty varying by format. Da Peng’s explanations are often easier to follow than the featured vocabulary itself, so you can still gain valuable listening practice even if you do not fully master every new phrase.
Listen and learn more through the official website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Suitable for intermediate learners. Abby offers Chinese-only episodes covering a wide variety of topics, including everyday life, Taiwanese culture, travel and conversations with other Chinese teachers and guests. The podcast is designed to help learners become more comfortable with natural Taiwanese Mandarin while learning more about life and culture in Taiwan.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, watch episodes on the Talk Taiwanese Mandarin with Abby YouTube channel, or visit the official website for podcast episodes, graded readers and other Chinese-learning materials.
Suitable for confident Intermediate learners who want to improve their ability to understand words at a faster pace. Topics include culture and more general topics such as motivation.
Listen to 聊聊东西 - Talk to Me in Chinese on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and watch subtitled podcast videos on the Candice X Chinese Mandarin YouTube channel.
TeaTime Chinese offers clear, slow-paced Mandarin for intermediate learners and confident beginners. Host Nathan covers everyday life, Chinese culture, history, and other engaging topics through natural monologues rather than scripted dialogues. Episodes are almost entirely in Chinese, with occasional English translations and simple Chinese explanations for unfamiliar words. Because the difficulty varies, newer learners may want to begin with earlier episodes about daily life before moving on to more challenging cultural and historical topics.
You can find TeaTime Chinese on its website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Advanced Level Podcasts
This podcast is hosted by a group of Chinese journalists living in the US, offering insightful discussions on a wide range of topics. From current events and trends in the media industry to happenings in both the US and China, they cover it all. They also dive into the latest movies and dramas, providing a diverse mix of content. The hosts speak clearly, making it a fantastic resource for anyone looking to improve their Chinese listening skills and pronunciation while staying informed on global and cultural topics.
You can listen to 声东击西 on its official website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This business-focused podcast takes an in-depth look at prominent entrepreneurs, major companies, and the stories behind their success or failure. In each episode, one host researches the subject and shares what they learned with the other, creating a natural, conversational discussion rather than a scripted presentation. Episodes often run for an hour or more. Although it is intended for native speakers, its single-topic format can make it easier to follow than podcasts that jump between unrelated subjects.
Listen to 半拿铁 | 商业沉浮录 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Tune in to this engaging podcast where two Taiwanese girls chat about all things relationships! From tips on maintaining long-distance relationships to advice on choosing the right partner, they cover it all. In some episodes, they also dive into discussions about popular TV shows. Whether you're looking to improve your Chinese listening skills or simply enjoy fun, insightful conversations on relationships and more, this podcast is a great choice. With lively, back-and-forth dialogues, it's the perfect way to immerse yourself in real, relatable conversations in Chinese.
You can listen to 兩個女生的聊天記錄 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or watch videos on their YouTube channel.
Advanced Level. Culture Potato invites its guests to discuss art in all its forms: screen or stage, books or museums, or through discussions about history. Each episode confronts you with differing perspectives and highlights the contrast between Western and Chinese culture.
You can listen on the Culture Potato website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This native-level podcast features lively, in-depth conversations about television, film and culture. Episodes typically run for 1 to 2 hours and may examine a particular production or tackle a broader theme. Discussions often branch into society, personal experiences and related cultural issues, making it a strong choice for advanced learners seeking extended, authentic listening practice. Familiarity with the featured title or topic is helpful, though not essential.
Listen to 疲惫娇娃 CyberPink on their website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This podcast delivers concise daily updates on business and finance, making it a practical choice for learners who want to strengthen their Chinese while keeping up with current events. The short, information-rich episodes are particularly useful for focused study and building vocabulary related to companies, markets, and the economy.
Listen to 声动早咖啡 on its official website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Dashu Mandarin gives intermediate and advanced learners a chance to hear the lively, unpredictable rhythm of real group conversations. Three Chinese teachers discuss Chinese culture, society, and everyday life, sometimes joined by native speakers or accomplished Mandarin learners. Episodes are long, unscripted, and full of natural features such as overlapping speech, quick topic changes, and multiple speaking styles. Although the limited learner support can make the discussions challenging to follow, they provide excellent preparation for understanding Mandarin when several people are talking together.
You can find Dashu Mandarin on their official website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This Taiwanese-hosted podcast features interviews with experts across a wide range of fields, including artists, singers, politicians, and CEOs. The conversations delve into both their professional journeys and personal stories, offering a unique and insightful perspective on their work and experiences. While the content is rich and informative, it is best suited for advanced learners due to its broad vocabulary and diverse topics. If you're looking to expand your Chinese vocabulary in areas such as business, culture, and beyond, this podcast is an excellent choice for improving your conversational skills and engaging in discussions on a variety of subjects.
Listen to 馬力歐陪你喝一杯 on its official website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Hosted by two women from China, this podcast covers topics like life experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Their discussions feel like a phone call between friends. It’s a great way to learn how native Chinese speakers naturally chat, both on the phone and in everyday conversation. Plus, each episode has an English title, so you can easily pick ones that interest you.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or watch on their YouTube channel.
Covering everything from classic Western sci-fi novels to contemporary Chinese films and television series, this podcast offers in-depth conversations about individual works of science fiction. Episodes tend to be long and often branch into broader themes, ideas, and related stories. Familiarity with the featured book, film, or series can make the discussion much easier to follow. It is also worth looking up the Chinese titles beforehand, since translated names may make familiar works difficult to recognize.
Listen to 铥铥科幻电波 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Story FM invites guests from all walks of life in China to share their stories in 40-minute episodes. With over 750 episodes, it offers a rich resource for real, unscripted language on engaging and challenging topics. Though some accents can be tricky for learners, the show's polished production makes it accessible and immersive.
You can listen to Story FM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Notice a podcast that’s no longer active? Please let me know so I can keep these recommendations up to date.
