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The Best TV Shows on CCTV-1

Every CCTV-1 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

As of February 2025, we’ve curated over 20 of CCTV-1’s premier shows for your viewing pleasure. Among CCTV-1’s finest offerings are CCTV Spring Festival Gala: Crosstalk and Sketch and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which debuted in 1983 and 1994, respectively. CCTV-1 has delivered an expansive roster of over 20 shows, dating from 1983 all the way to 2022.

  • Dong bei yi jia ren
    Dong bei yi jia ren (2002)10.0

  • Romance of the Three Kingdoms
    Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994)9.1

    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.

  • CCTV Spring Festival Gala: Crosstalk and Sketch
    CCTV Spring Festival Gala: Crosstalk and Sketch (1983)9.0

  • Jing-Ju Cats
    Jing-Ju Cats (2015)9.0

    Formally a paradise for all cats, the Cat Land Purpetua has been invaded and occupied by the dark lord AN, aided by his enslaved mutant monsters. The evil chaos reigns throughout the Purpetua and leads everything down to a wrong path. Only Jing-Ju Cats can overthrow An and resist the forces of evil chaos. A cat named LIL'PAI from the Clangour Town was once rescued by a Jing- Ju Cat at a very young age. He swore to be a great Jing-Ju Cat when he grows up. Once in a fight with monsters, he met the descendants of Jing- Ju Cats WU, ZAD and JEAN, and started to learn Kung Fu from their master Tang Ming and Granny GIN. The young LIL'PAI had neither blue blood nor outstanding talents. However, because of his amazing endeavor and the will of never giving up, he had succeeded through many trials and tribulations. LIL'PAI and his fellow Jing-Ju Cats rejoin forces to defeat the evil threat, reclaim their home and restore the peace in their land.

  • The Stories of Lion Rock Spirit
    The Stories of Lion Rock Spirit (2022)9.0

    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.

  • Pathfinding to the Northeast
    Pathfinding to the Northeast (2008)8.9

    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.

  • Romance of Our Parents
    Romance of Our Parents (2014)8.8

  • Yongzheng Dynasty
    Yongzheng Dynasty (1999)8.6

    The series was adapted from Eryue He's historical novels, which are loosely based on historical events in the reigns of the Kangxi and Yongzheng Emperors in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).

  • Judge of Song Dynasty
    Judge of Song Dynasty (2005)8.4

    Stories of a judge who lives in the Song Dynasty of China and familiar with forensic pathology.

  • GG Bond
    GG Bond (2006)8.2

  • The Qin Empire
    The Qin Empire (2009)8.2

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

  • Like a Flowing River
    Like a Flowing River (2018)8.2

    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.

  • Legend of Hua Mulan
    Legend of Hua Mulan (2013)7.8

    A retelling of the story of the strong willed Hua Mulan, who ends up joining an all male army in place of her elderly father.

  • Da Ming Detective Story
    Da Ming Detective Story (2013)7.0

    During the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle reign, a series of mysterious crimes unsettle Zhejiang. Investigator Zhou Xin is tasked with uncovering the truth, bringing justice, and protecting the people. However, as he delves deeper, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of corruption and power struggles that threaten everything he stands for.

  • The Legend of Bruce Lee
    The Legend of Bruce Lee (2008)6.6

    The story of the legendary martial arts icon Bruce Lee following him from Hong Kong to America and back again, leading up to his tragic death at the age of 32.

  • Love Stories in the Countryside
    Love Stories in the Countryside (2006)5.4

  • Moment in Peking
    Moment in Peking (2005)4.5

    Moment in Peking is a 2005 Chinese television series produced by CCTV. It is adapted from Lin Yutang's Nobel Prize nominee novel Moment in Peking.

  • Liu Lao Gen
    Liu Lao Gen (2002)N/A

  • Voice
    Voice (2012)N/A

  • Ma Xiangyang Went to the Countryside
    Ma Xiangyang Went to the Countryside (2014)N/A

    The drama depicts the life and learnings of a countryside man.