Story of China
Preview: The Last Empire (Episode 5)
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The Chinese Voyages of Exploration
Michael Wood tells the tale of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages before Columbus.
Michael Wood tells the tale of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages before Columbus.
Du Fu – China's Most Loved Poet
To learn about China's greatest poet, Michael Wood goes back to school!
To learn about China's greatest poet, Michael Wood goes back to school!
The Last Communist Collective in China
Michael Wood visits the last surviving communist outpost in today's China.
Michael Wood visits the last surviving communist outpost in today's China.
"Why Can't Women Be Heroes Too?"
Qiu Jin was the tragic star of the failed revolution of 1907, against the Qing Dynasty.
Qiu Jin was the tragic star of the failed revolution of 1907, against the Qing Dynasty.
The Show Must Go On!
Michael Wood watches an opera in the snow, to celebrate Grandma’s 90th birthday!
Michael Wood watches an opera in the snow, to celebrate Grandma’s 90th birthday!
Get a Taste of the Good Life under the Ming Dynasty
A weekend of shopping and sightseeing in Suzhou - the tourist capital of the Ming dynasty!
A weekend of shopping and sightseeing in Suzhou - the tourist capital of the Ming dynasty!
The Tale of the Chinese Leonardo
Scientist Su Song was a big star of the Chinese Renaissance 1000 years ago.
Scientist Su Song was a big star of the Chinese Renaissance 1000 years ago.
Tang Xi'an: The Greatest City in the World
Xi'an - the Tang Dynasty capital with half a million people was the world's greatest city.
Xi'an - the Tang Dynasty capital with half a million people was the world's greatest city.
The Discovery of the First Chinese Writing
Michael uncovers clues to China’s first dynasty, the Shang, in a traditional drug store.
Michael uncovers clues to China’s first dynasty, the Shang, in a traditional drug store.
Confucius: China's Guide to a Moral Life
A group of Korean scholars tell Michael why Confucius still matters so much today.
A group of Korean scholars tell Michael why Confucius still matters so much today.
The Family: The Basis of Chinese Civilization
Michael Wood joins in the ancestral rituals with the Qin family of Wuxi.
Michael Wood joins in the ancestral rituals with the Qin family of Wuxi.
Christian Missionary Matteo Ricci Journeys to China
In 1582, Matteo Ricci arrives in Macao, hoping to convert China to Christianity.
In 1582, Matteo Ricci arrives in Macao, hoping to convert China to Christianity.
Power Politics in the Ming Dynasty
After the death of the Ming founder, a brutal new emperor takes charge.
After the death of the Ming founder, a brutal new emperor takes charge.
The World's First Great Cuisine
China developed the world's first great restaurant culture, and it's still going strong!
China developed the world's first great restaurant culture, and it's still going strong!
Did the Chinese Invent Soccer?
Michael Wood visits a Chinese Premier League soccer game seeking the origin of "Kickball."
Michael Wood visits a Chinese Premier League soccer game seeking the origin of "Kickball."
The First Meeting of the Chinese Communist Party
Michael Wood describes the first meeting of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai 1921.
Michael Wood describes the first meeting of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai 1921.
China's Last Empire: A Rich Age for Muslim Culture
Under the Qing Dynasty Muslim culture had a new vitality – including all women’s mosques.
Under the Qing Dynasty Muslim culture had a new vitality – including all women’s mosques.
The Opium Trade in China
Professor Zheng Yangwen tells Michael about the impact of the opium trade in China.
Professor Zheng Yangwen tells Michael about the impact of the opium trade in China.
The Magic of the Silk Road
Michael Wood looks at the opening of the Silk Road & 'the beginnings of universal history'
Michael Wood looks at the opening of the Silk Road & 'the beginnings of universal history'
Behind the Scenes: Coffee Making
The crew finds ingenious methods to maintain blood caffeine levels.
The crew finds ingenious methods to maintain blood caffeine levels.
Behind the Scenes: Nanjing Sea Goddess Temple
Our Chinese crew manipulate a 20ft crane into this temple.
Our Chinese crew manipulate a 20ft crane into this temple.
Behind the Scenes: Xi'an City
Another sweltering hot day in filming in on the ancient city walls of Xi'an.
Another sweltering hot day in filming in on the ancient city walls of Xi'an.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Music for the Story of China
Composer Howard Davidson and soprano Wu He record the music for The Story of China.
Composer Howard Davidson and soprano Wu He record the music for The Story of China.
Behind the Scenes: Interview with Michael Wood
Michael Wood describes what he would like the audience to take away from the series.
Michael Wood describes what he would like the audience to take away from the series.
The Myth of the Origins of the Chinese People
Michael Wood joins a million pilgrims at a temple festival for China’s ancient gods.
Michael Wood joins a million pilgrims at a temple festival for China’s ancient gods.