The Best TV Shows on CCTV-1

Dream of the Red Chamber, first released in 1987, was a television series produced by CCTV, adapted from the classic 18th century Chinese novel of the same name. It gained enormous popularity for its music, cast, and plot adaptation, being regarded by many within China as being a near-definitive adaptation of the story.

The story revolves around several boys and girls who grew up together along the canal, after leaving to make their own growth, reunite after many years. After experiencing competition and the pressures of life, they rediscover the hope for a new life.

Adapted from the classical 14th century novel of the same title by Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms is part historical, part legend, and part mythical – romanticises and dramatises the lives of feudal lords and their retainers, who tried to replace the dwindling Han dynasty or restore it. The focus is mainly on the three power blocs that emerged from the remnants of the Han dynasty, and would eventually form the three states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu.

The trials and tribulations of 108 outlaws during the mid Song Dynasty.

Mainland-born Liang Huan came to Hong Kong with her daughter Li You Hao in the 1980s to be reunited with her husband, Li Gao Shan. However, he dies unexpectedly, leaving Liang Huan to fend for her late husband's teahouse.

Zhu Kaishan, a man from Shandong joins settlers in northeast China during the mid-19th century. Amidst turmoil, his family embarks on a journey to reunite, facing numerous challenges as they navigate survival in an unstable era.

Journey to the West is a Chinese television series adapted from the classical novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on CCTV in China on 1 October 1986. The series became an instant classic in China and is still being praised as the best and most authentic interpretation of the novel. Unadapted portions of the original story were later covered in the second season, which was released in 1999.

The rise of the Qin state in the Warring States period during the reign of Duke Xiao of Qin.

The story of Song Yunhui, Lei Dongbao, and Yang Xun as they take part in China’s economic reform from the 1980s to the 1990s.

Starring two bears, Briar and Bramble, who continuously try to stop Logger Vick from cutting down trees in their forest. Vick constantly tries to carry out his job as a woodcutter, only to be hilariously outwitted by the bears.

In 1937, Communist Zhuang Qifeng, under his leader Zhou Mi, mobilized peasants to reduce rents and form resistance groups, uniting against the Japanese puppet regime and establishing a base for the eventual victory in the war.