Ben Fogle In China | Preview (5)

Ben Fogle embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to China to see its staggering sights, meet its biggest characters, go beyond the stereotypes and discover its true story.

Ben delves into an epic 3000-year tale of how China got to now – how centuries of Imperial rule gave way to Communist revolution and the breakneck economic transformation of recent years. From ancient temples to mega-factories and glittering modern cities, Ben is on a mission to get under the skin of China - how it sees itself in the world and how it’s shaping the future for us all. But above all it’s a journey of wonder amid the amazing visual splendour of the real China today.

In this episode, Ben dives headfirst into the living history, culture and fast-paced modern life of China, from the ancient Great Wall to the bustling streets of Shanghai.

He begins at the Jiankou section of the Great Wall, joining a team dedicated to rebuilding it in its original 17th-century style. After a shaky start setting new stones in this iconic ancient monument, Ben impresses his mentor and gains a deeper understanding of what the Wall has meant to generations of Chinese, both as a physical fortress and a symbol of endurance.

Back in Beijing, Ben experiences the city through its people and its incredible bustling parks. Firstly discovering a group of energetic grannies performing graceful public dances, he joins in himself and uncovers the roots of this communal activity in the early years of communist China.

Taking a more reflective turn, Ben goes on a trip down memory lane with Chang, Beijing born and bred, she grew up in the city during the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, seeing firsthand how dramatically the city has changed. With journalists banned from filming openly in Tiananmen Square, Ben takes a tense and unofficial bike ride with a hidden camera, and is nearly discovered by guards - a revealing brush with danger that leaves him grateful to return safely to his team.

Leaving Beijing behind, Ben experiences the speed and efficiency of China’s high-speed trains, racing south to Shanghai. Once there, he joins Ah Chung, one of the huge army of delivery drivers on a hectic shift, racing through the city, meeting a vibrant mix of Shanghai residents and experiencing at street level the pulse of one of the world’s fastest-moving cities.

Ben’s next stop is at Hengdian World Studios, China’s answer to Hollywood. On a behind-the-scenes tour of its sprawling backlots, he discovers not only the scale of Chinese filmmaking but also stumbles into an unexpected cameo role on a movie set.

From blockbuster productions, Ben dives into the future of entertainment with a visit to one of Hengdian’s newest facilities where the global phenomenon of micro-dramas was born - short, bingeable films designed for mobile phones. With these pocket-sized stories exploding in popularity across the world Ben witnesses firsthand how digital storytelling is reshaping the industry.

Ben then shifts gears to Shanghai by night, where he encounters the city’s thriving underground scene. Immersed in the world of voguing, he learns how this expressive dance form, once far removed from Chinese culture, in the relatively liberal atmosphere of Shanghai, has found a passionate home among youth eager to embrace self-expression and identity in bold new ways.

But even in the most contemporary spaces, ancient customs still thrive. At a fortune-telling cocktail bar, Ben discovers how centuries-old beliefs weave into nightlife experiences - where your drink and your destiny might be served in the same glass.

Finally, Ben discovers a determined group of octogenarians dedicated to keeping one of Shanghai’s oldest migrant traditions alive: a unique form of opera, rich in storytelling and music, unlike anything he has ever experienced before. But it’s dying out, and they are forced to perform in an office block after their theatre was sold for development.

Ben Fogle In China begins Monday 6th April at 9pm on 5.