22 Best Chinese YouTube Channels for Language Learners [Updated for 2024]

There’s a sea of Chinese learning content on YouTube. To help you navigate the crowded waters, we’ve put together a list of the best Chinese YouTube channels, organized by level of difficulty.

Check out all the options according to your level—once you’re through with those, go ahead and advance to the next section.

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Chinese YouTube Channels for All Levels

1. Yoyo Chinese

Yoyo Chinese uses authentic Chinese to teach vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and culture. This channel is great for any level of learner as it lives up to its slogan: “Chinese taught in plain English.” 

Yangyang Cheng, founder and host of Yoyo Chinese, is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. She was previously a bilingual host of a popular Chinese show and an adjunct professor and has an excellent presence on camera.

Check out the unique “Interviews with Chinese Locals” or recordings of Yangyang’s previously live Google+ Hangouts. If you find the content helpful, the Yoyo Chinese website has more tips, livestreams and courses available.

2. Learn Chinese Now

Learn Chinese Now offers fun, innovative videos for beginner to advanced Chinese students. This YouTube channel is hosted by Jared and Ben, with the extensive help of native Chinese-speaking guests.  

The channel covers standard vocabulary and grammar, but also advanced vocabulary, politics and news. It even provides tons of unique videos like catching Pokémon, Chinese stories and cultural differences.

The video above offers some useful Chinese phrases and explanations in English on what they mean and how to use them in daily life.  

3. Chinese with Mandarin HQ

With this YouTube channel, you’ll learn about real spoken Chinese, not just the textbook variety. Many of the videos are less than 10 minutes long so you can easily fit them into a busy schedule.

The channel provides a nice selection of Chinese learning videos, including on-the-street interviews, vocabulary videos, pronunciation lessons and conversation lessons. You’ll also find some useful Chinese learning strategies.

Beyond more traditional language, you’ll have the opportunity to learn lots of slang—definitely something you won’t find in your textbook!

4. EverydayChinese

EverydayChinese aims to teach viewers authentic Chinese as used in everyday life. You’ll find useful videos about writing lessons, tips for everyday conversations, common phrases and more.

For beginners, the channel offers alphabet and pronunciation lessons. It also features a structured series of videos intended to give viewers a strong foundation in Chinese in just 101 days.

For viewers who already have the basics down, the slow listening practice can help make native-level speech more approachable and the grammar and vocabulary lessons can help you advance your Chinese skills.

5. ChineseFor.Us

ChineseFor.Us is a great way to bring a traditional classroom learning experience to your screen. This channel offers college-style Chinese instruction online using HSK levels of Chinese proficiency.

Courses are carefully structured so you know exactly what to study next. Videos target beginning- through intermediate-level learners. They cover topics like vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and conversation.

The story videos are particularly useful as they offer leveled listening practice based on specific themes. These videos show the dialogue on screen, which is a convenient way to practice listening with added support.

6. Mandarin Click

Mandarin Click provides context-rich stories to help improve your listening and reading skills. Their videos are targeted towards beginners and intermediate learners (HSK 1-6). 

The videos are clearly labeled based on their difficulty so you can easily find the right ones for your level. They’re also 100% in Chinese with subtitles in Chinese and English for easier comprehension. 

The host of the channel speaks clearly with a standard accent, so you can immerse yourself in the stories without getting lost. Plus, the frequent repetition of key words and phrases will improve your language acquisition. 

7. Learn Chinese with Litao

This channel is perfect for students who love the organization of conventional courses but also value the flexibility of learning through YouTube. You won’t find any necessary fluff so you can use your time efficiently. 

You can find several different courses on this channel, including lessons on pinyin, Chinese characters, elementary Chinese and how to practice Chinese, all conveniently color-coded.

Videos range from beginner to intermediate levels and introduce vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and listening practice. 

8. Learn Chinese with Yi Zhao

Yi aims to teach the building blocks of Chinese, including essential vocabulary and basic grammar structures. She includes well-explained, well-structured content designed to hold viewers’ interest.

Videos cover vocabulary, common phrases, grammar and travel phrases for beginner to intermediate students. Some videos also show life in Shanghai, and many cover important topics for the HSK Chinese proficiency tests.

The video above is a three-hour introductory lesson that provides important foundations upon which to build your Chinese skills. You’ll learn common vocabulary, basic grammar and pronunciation.

9. ChineseClass101

The high-quality, well-structured videos on this channel will make learning Chinese a breeze. ChineseClass101 will help you with everyday vocabulary and basic grammar.

Various graphics are presented to introduce Chinese words, including a series of images with explanations in both Chinese and English as well as short videos of the activities.

Both the Chinese example sentences and English explanations are clear and understandable. Lessons often include a short interactive review section or quiz. 

Chinese YouTube Channels for Beginners

10. Grace Mandarin Chinese 

Grace Guo is from Taiwan and teaches Chinese as a second language, so she’s well-versed in breaking down the language for learners. 

On her channel, she shares linguistic insights, learning tips and resources for learning Mandarin Chinese. Her videos include both traditional and simplified characters in different colors for easier distinction. 

Some of the topics Grace covers include Chinese slang, common greetings, pronunciation and tones. 

11. Smart Mandarin

Katrina is a licensed Chinese teacher from Taiwan who’s been teaching for over 10 years. Her videos are mostly aimed at beginners, but can still be used as review for more advanced students.

Smart Mandarin covers topics including pronunciation, characters, vocabulary and study strategies. Videos introduce useful, relevant themes you’ll want to be familiar with if you travel to any Chinese-speaking countries.

For instance, the video above will help you talk about the taste, flavor and texture of food in Chinese. The phrases appear on the screen for easy studying and are said slowly and clearly to help you master the pronunciation.

12. Chineasy

This YouTube channel breaks down the language into digestible bites with engaging visuals and practical content. The channel offers cultural videos, motivational talks, interviews and more.

Many of their videos are in English and offer insight into Chinese culture and traditions, such as the story of the Chinese zodiac. Others explain Chinese words and phrases with English explanations. 

13. PeggyTeachesChinese

Peggy Lee’s YouTube channel is lively and entertaining. Beyond Chinese language lessons for beginner and intermediate learners, you’ll also get a glimpse into her life and learn more about her home, Taiwan, and its culture.

Each short lesson is focused on a different activity or event, such as Halloween, going to the beach or buying tickets for something. Peggy speaks in both Chinese and English and includes subtitles in both languages. 

In the video above, Peggy and her dog show examples of basic location sentences in Chinese. You’ll learn some useful vocabulary as well!

14. Traditional Chinese

This channel from ChinesePod.com offers lessons aimed at those learning traditional Chinese characters. The videos include English explanations and bilingual subtitles.

If you’re planning to work in a Chinese-speaking environment, check out the “At the Office” series. Or, learn some Chinese idioms with the “Cheng Yu Stories,” featured above. There are also tons of videos on Mandarin slang.

You can pair the video content on this channel with the courses offered on the ChinesePod website, which supports simplified characters as well as traditional ones. 

15. Chinese Buddy

Chinese Buddy features animated videos with songs to teach valuable Chinese language lessons. Everything is easier to remember when accompanied by a catchy tune, and music can make studying more fun.

Each song covers a theme, and the words and translations appear as the song plays so you can follow along as you listen.

The video above will teach you some common Chinese greetings. Other videos from Chinese Buddy will teach you prepositions, shapes or small talk phrases in Chinese. You’ll be humming along in no time!

Intermediate Chinese YouTube Channels 

16. Mandarin Corner

Mandarin Corner provides an immersive Chinese experience by using a minimal amount of spoken English. The structure of this YouTube channel allows you to focus on the Chinese language without interference from English.

Mandarin Corner is intended for upper beginner to intermediate students. It features standard topics like vocabulary and grammar but also includes reading practice, podcasts and stories in slow Chinese.

Chinese words and their meanings appear on-screen during listening practice videos. This makes it easy to follow along and study key words and phrases. They also have a website with additional learning resources.

17. Elementary Chinese 

Elementary Chinese teaches the language from the perspective of expats living in China. While the host is no longer posting new videos, the channel offers plenty of content to choose from. 

Many videos on this channel feature interviews with expats in China. There’s also a multitude of targeted learning material with tips, strategies, product reviews and vocabulary to help you learn Chinese and navigate the country.

For instance, this video shows how to use a popular Chinese payment method and features an authentic, real-world interaction. Key vocabulary appears on the screen for easy studying.

18. Fulinfang

On this channel, a UK native shares videos of his life as an expat in China and his travels around the world. While Fulinfang isn’t a native Mandarin speaker, his Chinese skills are admirable and his videos are entertaining.

This channel is great for upper beginner and intermediate learners. The majority of Fulinfang’s videos are in Mandarin, though he does speak English sometimes too.

If you’re interested in what it’s like being a foreigner in China or just want to be entertained in Chinese, Fulinfang’s channel is worth watching. 

Advanced Chinese YouTube Channels 

19. 每日中文课Free To Learn Chinese 

22. Krysti Naaa

Krysti Naaa is a popular Mandarin-speaking YouTuber. She lives primarily in Boston but also has travel vlogs around the US and of her home in Xi-An, China. 

Her videos cover topics like travel, daily vlogs and product reviews (mostly makeup and skincare). Krysti Naaa’s videos will benefit advanced learners the most, as she speaks very quickly and only offers Chinese subtitles.

For example, the video here is her recent favorite products. You’ll get a good idea of the style of the content she shares. If your Chinese listening skills are good, you’ll probably pick up some product-related vocab too!

How to Learn Chinese on YouTube

Simply watching the videos on Chinese YouTube channels will provide you with listening practice, but I recommend you maximize your time spent by following these steps for more effective learning: 

• Subscribe to your favorites. When you find a channel you like, subscribe to it! Then hit the bell icon of your favorite channels to be notified whenever new videos are posted. Notifications can act as study reminders while ensuring you don’t miss any new Chinese learning content from your favorite YouTubers.
• Simulate conventional courses. Well-organized YouTube channels and playlists can be incredibly helpful. Some channels offer step-by-step lessons, just like you’d find in a conventional Chinese course. If you don’t want to think about what to study next, watch a channel organized like this in the recommended order. It can be an easy way to build your skills incrementally.
• Target your weaker skill sets. Having trouble with listening? Unsure of how to pronounce a tricky word? Whatever you’re struggling with, find videos on that topic. The multitude of videos available means you’ll surely find a resource you like that targets the specific issue you’re facing.
• Try a virtual immersion program for a more focused approach. If the volume of content is overwhelming to you, a program made for Chinese learners can help, such as FluentU.

  FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

  You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

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• Watch Chinese videos often. Studying frequently will ensure that your Chinese skills continue to advance. Learning Chinese with YouTube makes this easy. Videos vary in length, so you can squeeze in one or two short ones if that’s all you have time for. Try to watch at least one video daily. If you can watch a couple of times per day, even better!

Now, you have 22 of the best Chinese YouTube channels that will help you advance your language skills. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

And One More Thing...

If you want to continue learning Chinese with interactive and authentic Chinese content, then you'll love FluentU.

FluentU naturally eases you into learning Chinese language. Native Chinese content comes within reach, and you'll learn Chinese as it's spoken in real life.

FluentU has a wide range of contemporary videos—like dramas, TV shows, commercials and music videos.

FluentU App Browse Screen

FluentU brings these native Chinese videos within reach via interactive captions. You can tap on any word to instantly look it up. All words have carefully written definitions and examples that will help you understand how a word is used. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.

Interactive Transcripts on FluentU

FluentU's Learn Mode turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you're learning.

FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video

The best part is that FluentU always keeps track of your vocabulary. It customizes quizzes to focus on areas that need attention and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a 100% personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)