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The Best TV Shows on CCTV-8

Every CCTV-8 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Our curated list, current as of April 2025, showcases over 20 of CCTV-8’s highest-rated series. Notable series such as Palace of Desire and Romance in the Rain from CCTV-8 first graced the screens in 2000 and 2001. Boasting a rich catalog, CCTV-8 features more than 20 shows, with broadcasting dates ranging from 2000 to 2025.

  • Yangko Dance
    Yangko Dance (2015)10.0

  • Amazing Detective Di Renjie
    Amazing Detective Di Renjie (2004)9.2

    Di Renjie is Tang dynasty magistrate and statesman, who investigates mysterious murders.

  • My Own Swordsman
    My Own Swordsman (2006)8.9

    A comedy about some friends and their stories in Qixia Town.

  • Playing Go
    Playing Go (2025)8.5

    Cui Ye is an ordinary Go teacher whose life spirals into chaos after an accidental entanglement in a crime. As he gradually descends into illegality, his police officer brother, Cui Wei, relentlessly pursues him.

  • Palace of Desire
    Palace of Desire (2000)8.4

    Palace of Desire, also known as Da Ming Gong Ci, is a Chinese television series based on the life story of Princess Taiping, a daughter of China's only female emperor Wu Zetian. Directed by Li Shaohong and Zeng Nianping, the series starred Chen Hong, Zhou Xun, Gui Yalei and Winston Chao in the leading roles. It was first broadcast on CCTV-8 in mainland China on March 30, 2000.

  • The Thunder
    The Thunder (2019)8.4

    A father and son represent two generations of policemen as they risk their lives in the war against drugs.

  • Kangxi Dynasty
    Kangxi Dynasty (2001)8.2

    Kangxi Dynasty is a 2001 Chinese television series based on the novel Kangxi Da Di by Eryue He. The series is a prequel to the 1997 television series Yongzheng Dynasty, and was followed by Qianlong Dynasty in 2002.

  • Joy of Life
    Joy of Life (2019)8.1

    Zhang Qing, a present-day college student in culture and history major wants to study in professor Ye's postgraduate class, so he decides to write a historical fiction to elaborate his perspective of analyzing ancient literature history with modern concept. In the fiction, Zhang himself acts as a young man Fan Xian with mysterious life who lives in a remote seaside town of Kingdom Qing in his childhood, under the help of a mysterious mentor and a blindfolded watchman. Fan goes to the capital when he grows up, where he experiences plenty of ordeal and temper. Fan persists in adhering the rule of justice and goodness and lives his own glorious life.

  • Good Luck Zhu Bajie
    Good Luck Zhu Bajie (2004)8.0

  • WIND SONG
    WIND SONG (2010)8.0

    Da Feng Ge, also known as Da Han Shengshi and Wind Song, is a Chinese television series based on historical events in the early Han Dynasty, beginning with the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu after his triumph over Xiang Yu, and the events leading to the reign of Emperor Wen. Directed by Huang Jianzhong, the series starred Ray Lui, Wang Ji, Liu Mu, Zhang Guangbei, Chen Wei and Li Qingxiang in the leading roles. It was first broadcast on CCTV-8 in China on 17 December 2011.

  • Qin Dynasty Epic
    Qin Dynasty Epic (2020)7.8

    During the late stages of the Warring States era of the Qin state, Ying Zheng, Lu Bu Wei, Li Si, Wang Jian and many formidable politicians work together to unite the six states under one rule.

  • Three-Body
    Three-Body (2023)7.8

    Nanotechnology researcher Wang Miao is taken to the Joint Operations Center by police officer Shi Qiang, who's investigating the mysterious suicide wave among scientists worldwide, and recruited to sneak into an organization called the Frontiers of Science to help the investigation. When Wang Miao is contacted by the leader of the organization, Shen Yufei, she introduces him to a sophisticated VR video game called Three-Body, but soon he discovers that it's more than just a game.

  • Romance in the Rain
    Romance in the Rain (2001)7.5

    Lu Yiping, one of many children of a retired general with nine wives, is banished from her family home due to Wang Xueqin. Driven by resentment, she plots revenge by targeting her stepsister's love interest, He Shuhuan. But as Yiping navigates life with her mother, she unexpectedly finds forgiveness and love through the people she meets, transforming her journey of vengeance into one of self-discovery and healing.

  • The Myth
    The Myth (2010)7.3

  • Best Choice Ever
    Best Choice Ever (2024)7.2

    Mai Chenghuan, a post-95 girl born into an ordinary family in Shanghai, agrees to marry her boyfriend, Xin Jialiang, under her mother’s urging. However, the economic gap between them creates an imbalance in their relationship, ultimately leading to its end. Mai Chenghuan then gains her grandmother's approval and is entrusted with the heavy responsibility of managing a hotel. Through cooperation, Mai Chenghuan and the professional hotel manager Yao Zhiming become working partners and go hand in hand. Mai Chenghuan transitions from being under her family's control to achieving self-fulfillment, forging her own path.

  • Anti Corruption Storm
    Anti Corruption Storm (2023)6.8

  • Ode to Joy
    Ode to Joy (2016)6.2

    Can five single, independent career women who live in the Ode to Joy apartment building find fulfillment on their own terms? An Di is a successful business woman who has returned to China after studying in New York to find her younger brother. Qu Xiao Xiao is only 25 but already owns her own small business. Fang Sheng Mei grew up in poverty but has shed her “Princess of the Streets” background to work for a multinational company. Qiu Ying Ying is a 20-year-old small-town girl who is trying to make it in the big city. Guan Ju Er is a 20-year-old from a highly educated family, but she must discover what she wants out of life when enters the workforce for the first time. For these women, there is a man (or two) who is trying to get their attention. Dr. Zhao is a flirtatious, handsome doctor. Qi Dian is the stoic businessman. Wang Bai Chuan is Sheng Mei’s steadfast friend who has always carried a torch for her. Yao Bin is a second-generation chaebol. Tan Zong Ming is An Di’s boss who has been friend-zoned by her despite knowing her since their schooldays. 

  • Take Us Home
    Take Us Home (2023)4.5

  • The Drive of Life
    The Drive of Life (2007)N/A

    The Drive of Life is a 2007 grand production drama by TVB and CCTV as a joint production. It was specially filmed to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong back to China from Britain during the period of 1997-2007. The theme of the series revolves around the automobile industry in China. Told in flashback from 1994, the ups and downs and transformations that Hong Kong has been experiencing before and after the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong is used as a narrative device. The series was filmed in Hong Kong, Beijing, Ningbo and Vancouver from early October 2006 until May 2007. The automobiles featured in the series are from Geely Automobile, as a fictional brand name "Hua-Zhe". This film ties with TVB drama "War and Beauty" for the record of having the most "Best Actress" winners, where Jessica Hsuan, Charmaine Sheh, Sheren Tang and Myolie Wu won their respective "Best Actress" awards in 1999, 2006, 2009/2010, and 2011.

  • Hearts of Citizens
    Hearts of Citizens (2010)N/A

    It is an autobiography of Qi Junzao, the legendary politician, writer, calligraphist, from the age 17 to 70. It depicted his politicals fights in the late Qing dynasty as the politician for three generations of Qing Emperors. Qi Junzao dared to execute his trusted fellow who was a corrupted official, to protect the innocent friend who framed in the endless political fights.