Wild China, A Wild Success

Wild China, the joint venture between the BBC and CCTV aired earlier this evening on BBC 2, and it was spectacular!

“The last hidden world… China.”

An audacious opening line to the series, which epitomises the mystery that still surrounds China in much of the rest of the world. Having spent a long time with borders closed, China is still something ‘unknown’, which in part leads to some of the ignorance in foreign minds and media. Anyway…

This was a visual feast, and a real showcase for the great range of wondrous scenery China holds. This episode focused on South China (not much then!), from the trademark hills of Guilin to the reflective patchwork of Yunnan’s water-filled paddy fields. And not forgetting the awe-inspiring pinnacles of Zhangjiajie (pictured above).

It’s unusual to see a programme so well made, examining the Chinese landscape so closely – the slow-motion night-time shots of bats catching fish a particularly being fine example. This is a perfect example of CCTV and BBC working for mutual benefit, and the kind of coverage that should be coming out as the Olympics draw attention to China.

For anyone with access to the BBC iPlayer, you have 6 days to catch this episode, alternatively check out highlights.