How long would it take you to learn Mandarin Chinese from Youtube channels? You will be surprised to find yourself getting fluent just by setting aside 30 minutes every day to learn the language from Chinese YouTube channels. There are tons of YouTube videos giving Chinese lessons but will you be able to distinguish the good and the bad?
Relax, this review has got you covered from beginner to advanced levels of study. We list below the 27 best YouTube channels for studying the Chinese language via YouTube in China or elsewhere. Your vision of working and living in Shanghai China can finally rise by studying from any of these channels.
All Level Chinese Youtube Channels
1. ChinesePod
ChinesePod has been offering Chinese courses for over 10 years now. It is one of the most trusted Chinese YouTube channels with a huge variety of tutors from China
It is known to have well-structured videos for beginners to upper-intermediate Chinese learners.
The channel has incorporated cartoons from China, humorous interactions as well as a breakdown of the grammar and vocabulary in the videos they produce.
They have fairly short videos for learning Chinese that play from 15 seconds to 10 minutes which is a pleasant break from an actual school.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHINESEPOD
2. Mandarin HQ
This is among the top-quality Chinese YouTube channels in China with tons of videos to help you learn Mandarin. Among the things we love is how Angel presents the lessons while breaking down the vocab and grammar used in each lesson.
Mandarin HQ has top-quality videos that will help you distinguish the different accents of native speakers.
The channel also offers well-thought-out quizzes with various answers to choose from. You will get to learn hundreds of usual expressions, slang terms, idioms, and more to help you live comfortably in China
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MANDARIN HQ
3. Mandarin Corner
If there’s a great channel on YouTube for learning casual conversations in China, then this is it. It gives a thoroughly immersive experience in studying Chinese with very little use of English in their videos.
You get to listen to and watch talk shows and movies from China while getting a real-world experience like you’re living in China.
Eileen the host interviews various people with different accents while helping you know important sentence structures, nuances, and more.
All sessions are done in Mandarin but you should be able to have a conversation with almost anyone from anywhere in China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MANDARIN CORNER
4. Chinese Zero To Hero
For learners looking to take the HSK Chinese test, this is the perfect YouTube channel if you want to learn Chinese or live in China.
The moderators give clear vocabulary and grammar explanations in a conversation while giving examples according to the requirements of HSK.
It has blended the videos with funny stories, skits, photos from China as well as mental exercises and poems to give a full learning experience.
The online course has lots of free videos for use and can be downloaded for offline use. It also uses flashcards done in native pronunciation to boost your comprehension.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHINESE ZERO TO HERO
5. Mandarin with Miss Lin
This is another awesome place to learn Chinese with native-speaking Miss Lin who lives in Taiwan, China.
She helps learners improve their Mandarin speech and vocabulary to gain fluency within a short time through her videos.
Apart from her lectures, she also provides reading materials to help you learn conversation basics.
Her course will help you be able to recognize various characters of which is considered to be the hardest part of studying Chinese.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MANDARIN WITH MISS LIN
6. GoEast Mandarin
This is also among the best Chinese YouTube channels mainly delivering lessons in high-quality video form. GoEeast brings its content in Chinese with English subtitles.
The channel focuses on HSK 1-4, HSK 1 & 2 syntax, Pronunciation, and business Chinese in their videos.
You get immersed into the Mandarin language from the moment you start studying with the videos on this channel. This is excellent for exposure if you dream about living in China.
Their video tutorials have culture sessions with engaging topics such as guides to doing business with China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT GOEAST MANDARIN
7. Hanbridge Mandarin and HSK Test Preparation and Practice
Both of these Chinese YouTube channels belong to Hanbridge Mandarin offers both online videos and in-person school courses in China.
The tutors on both famous channels hold at least a degree while 60% have a master’s degree. All tutors in the sessions are native speakers though others can speak more than one language.
They have different courses such as a kids course, business Chinese, and HSK test prep. You can also watch videos on History, literature, and culinary arts in China which is different from a normal school setting.
Learners are taken through a self-assessment test before taking their first lesson to help the Chinese teacher determine their level of proficiency.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT HANBRIDGE MANDARIN
8. Wenyu Chinese
Wenyu Chinese has a unique approach to learning Chinese through videos from China which is a practical and enjoyable experience of life in China.
They have tons of videos on YouTube that focus on your vocabulary, arrangement, and listening skills. You initially watch specific scenes with English and Chinese subtitles.
Thereafter, Wenyu helps you analyze the conversation in the videos while breaking it down into basic and advanced contexts.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WENYU CHINESE
9. ChineseClass101
This is a top-rated Chinese learning portal with lots of videos to help you learn Chinese. They have broken down the course into sessions each with 10-15 minute conversations on video.
They have unique videos for studying Chinese vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. They also have a built-in spaced repetition flashcard system, a pinyin chart, a dictionary, video transcriptions, and word lists.
This program is best for someone who wants to get exposed to new Chinese words and phrases. The slow playback option helps you sharpen your listening capability as you go through the video episodes from China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHINESECLASS101
10. SYS Mandarin
This is a platform on YouTube that provides learning for beginner to advanced-level speakers through videos on Youtube.
The platform uses immersion techniques by making you watch Chinese news, and movies, read stories in Chinese, speak, listen, and even learn about the culture in China.
It has excellently structured courses depending on the level you’re at starting with the Mandarin Comprehensive Pinyin Course.
You will get several videos explaining compound vowels, simple vowels, tones, a sequence of consonants, and the cultures in China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SYS MANDARIN
11. Everyday Chinese
With more than 380k subscribers Everyday Chinese is undoubtedly among the most appreciated Chinese Youtube Channels.
Their videos on Youtube are done using different actors of all ages. This is to help you get accustomed to different accents and vocal ranges when learning Chinese.
The lectures explain cultural differences in China, idioms, and HSK content. Their in-depth expositions on every grammar point are excellent and focus on beginner Chinese learners.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT EVERYDAY CHINESE
Beginner Chinese YouTube Channels
12. Yimin Chinese
This is another popular YouTube channel for studying grammatical rules, vocabulary, and other life skills.
The channel currently has over 28k subscribers with free HSK 1-3 video lessons backed by Chinese news, movie clips, hilarious gifs, and slideshows.
Yimin, a rare gem is highly organized with tons of high-quality videos and a pleasant personality making it a good way to learn.
If you’re the type of person who prefers training through videos and songs from China while identifying nuances and common mistakes, then this is the channel to go for.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT YIMIN CHINESE
13. Hello Chinese
Hello Chinese is rated as one of the best platforms for learning with tons of free videos on their YouTube channel about China
The platform acquaints you with nicknames for popular American celebrities in China. You can watch their minute Mandarin videos to learn a new word in under a minute.
They also have podcasts on their channel to teach you Chinese culture as well as words and phrases.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT HELLO CHINESE
14. Growing Up With Chinese
This is a one-of-a-kind Chinese learning YouTube channel by CCTV News. It has a series of episodes with conversational videos and tutorials on YouTube focused on China.
The various 100 videos from CCTV News focus on the life of a foreign exchange student called Mike living with the host Wang and his family.
It focuses on practical and useful life situations and not so much on drawing Mandarin characters or pronouncing their tones.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT GROWING UP WITH CHINESE
15. Learn Chinese With Litao
All videos uploaded on this channel specialize in teaching the official language of China and are of high quality. The channels provide extensive tips, professional, and logical explanations of grammar and vocabulary so you can count on it if you plan on living in China.
They have incorporated funny gimmicks in their sessions and quizzes to make it easy and fun to learn Chinese. The channel also provides courses that meet HSK 1 and 2 test requirements so if you’re looking to pursue them, go ahead.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT LEARN CHINESE WITH LITAO
16. That’s Mandarin
While this is an actual school in China, it also has a YouTube channel with several videos to teach you Mandarin.
This channel uses videos on YouTube to teach basic homonyms and phrases that are used in everyday life in China in under a minute.
They also go the extra mile to explain vocabularies and grammar which are important subjects when studying.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THAT’S MANDARIN
17. ChineseFor.Us
Also rated as among the finest Chinese YouTube channels, it offers Chinese courses that are more exhaustive than any other channel on YouTube.
With an excellent course structure, affordability, and high-quality videos ChineseForus is the channel to go for if you plan to live in China.
The videos are divided into beginner, HSK 1-3, tone drills, writing courses, and pinyin drills. Their culture sessions sometimes compare the way of life in China and other countries.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHINESEFOR.US
18. Shuoshuo Chinese
Shuo the Chinese teacher uploads videos every other week going through different grammar points, vocabulary, and Chinese culture topics.
She uses simple ideas to make your training better through the use of videos, pictures, and performing different characters.
Her tutorials are usually made with funny and humorous comments with several of them being for HSK 1-6.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SHUOSHUO CHINESE
19. Slow and Clear Chinese
Are you planning to live in Beijing or Shanghai, China? This channel is another extremely effective platform for studying basic grammatical rules and vocab.
The platform consolidates videos, texts, and audio to provide comprehensive tutorials for people who want to live in Beijing or any other place in China.
You can read the pinyin alone or only listen to the audio with simplified and traditional characters. You will also get translations in English together with the narrations.
In most videos, the teacher narrates the text slowly at first and then repeats it the second time at a faster pace to help you understand.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SLOW AND CLEAR CHINESE
20. Grace Mandarin Chinese
With a whopping 96k subscribers, this channel is unquestionably popular among learners of this language both in China and around the world.
Grace however doesn’t seem to have a structured approach to teaching however she makes great grammar tips making studying easier. Her video sessions also include relevant Chinese expressions, and pronunciation exercises among others to improve your language skills.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT GRACE MANDARIN CHINESE
21. Hit Chinese
This is a very helpful channel for watching Chinese video classes that have been structured around real-life events in China.
Mia uses acting, images, props, and drawings to effectively produce videos for learners. All these videos cover both specialized and basic vocabulary for people in China and beyond.
The courses taught on this platform are best suited for beginner learners who are looking to get a basic understanding of Chinese.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT HIT CHINESE
22. Learn Chinese Now
In this video channel, Ben and his guest stars take you through exciting vocabulary and basic syntax necessary for Chinese learning.
Ben is a popular talk show host based in Taiwan, China as well as a Chinese teacher at Learn Chinese Now.
His videos have clear explanations that focus on vocabulary and grammar. They also teach students about Chinese and Taiwanese life as well as their culture.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT LEARN CHINESE NOW
23. Yoyo Chinese
All Yoyo Chinese videos in this channel are part of a comprehensive breakdown of the courses from the beginner level to the intermediate level of speaking Chinese as presented by Yangyang.
Yoyo Chinese is mainly offering six courses all broken down into different sessions covering flashcards, written materials, quizzes, and other types of practices.
Yangyang Cheng has designed all six courses within the framework of character learning, conversation know-how, and a little about China.
Yoyo Chinese’s wide resource center includes a pinyin chart, a download center, and hundreds of videos focused on China for reference.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT YOYO CHINESE
Intermediate Chinese YouTube channels
24. Happy Chinese
This is another great TV-like series for anyone who wants to learn Chinese. It is famous for high-quality video posts and audio designs for all its lessons.
The actors are native speakers except for Susan, an American girl living with her Chinese friend’s family in China.
A cartoon will disrupt the YouTube video lesson every once in a while to give explanations and examples of key concepts.
The technique in the video session is immersive as the skits are plot-based making it perfect for intermediate to advanced learners in China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT HAPPY CHINESE
25. Chinese Podcast
If you’re looking for quality HSK 2 and 3 training material, this is the channel to study with as you plan to live in China.
The host in most YouTube video tutorials focuses on introducing about 8 new HSK words, a grammatical point, then uses them through stories.
The video sessions can be watched slowly or fast as you go along with the text. The moderator usually speaks Mandarin and uses Pinyin, characters, and English subtitles.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHINESE PODCAST
26. PeggyTeachesChinese
Peggy’s classes are best for beginner to intermediate students who want to learn the Chinese language.
She comes from Taiwan, China, and her videos are mostly presented in Mandarin but she will occasionally use English to drive a point home.
Her live video classes will make you feel as if you’re practicing to speak with a friend which is why they’re engaging.
She also interviews natives on the streets of Taiwan in China to give you a feel of the genuine speech in her video lessons.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT PEGGYTEACHESCHINESE
Advanced Chinese YouTube channels
27. Joker Studio
Are you interested in studying the Beijing dialect? This YouTube channel will make that possible for you.
Wordy Klay, a Beijing native has posted several videos on YouTube to help Chinese learners and natives pinpoint specific Beijing vocabulary and pronunciation.
Despite the short videos about China on YouTube, Klay explains very clearly and gives examples of situations you can use the words in context.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT JOKER STUDIO
28. 杨老师中文小课堂
Teacher Yang has produced a series of YouTube video tutorials to teach both parents and teachers in China and elsewhere. However, the arrangement will work better for advanced Chinese learners.
The channel has a very fine way of analyzing the speech with clear explanations and examples using videos about China.
Her portfolio also covers teaching Chinese to children and learning to boost their pronunciation all without having to live in China.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT 杨老师中文小课堂
29. 优优独播剧场—Yoyo Television Series Exclusive
This is an excellent television series that YouTubers can learn from. The channel has dozens of TV programs from China for you to binge-watch while getting to learn Chinese.
Some of the TV shows include Storm Eye 暴风眼, Brilliant Girls 涩女郎, and 重生 Reborn. All videos come with proper English subtitles to help you grasp the speech faster.
It is however best for advanced learners who want to sharpen their listening and speaking capabilities.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT 优优独播剧场
30. This Group of People
TGOP offers a creative way of teaching Chinese to learners. The skit players use comedy to depict everyday situations such as buying food from the market, at school, or a doctor’s appointment.
The skits are presented with both Chinese and English subtitles which makes it easy for any learner to comprehend.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE
31. 家有儿女
Home With Kids ( 家有儿女) is a classic family TV show from the early 2000s. The sitcom resembles topical North American TV shows of the same period but acted in China.
It brings in an encounter of misunderstandings and different personalities after two divorced families decide to live as one unit making it fun and engaging
The channel currently has 100 episodes of funny immersive skits in which you get to enjoy the different characters as they try to work out their relationships.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT 家有儿女
32. Thomas 阿福
With over 500k subscribers, this is quite a popular channel and its host Thomas is a celebrity in China.
Thomas guides you through Chinese culture in Beijing and Shanghai, other sites, as well as the food. He likes to explore different kinds of food while spending much of his time with locals in China.
This can be through a Taxi drive to where he comes from or even engaging people as early as 3 am.
He is a food lover and therefore loves to challenge himself to different food diets or just sit, lazy around, and do nothing all day.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THOMAS 阿福
33. 杰 里 德 JARED
Though not a native speaker, Jared grew up in Hainan China however he had to relearn the language after going back to Canada.
Today he lives in China and he produces entertaining videos regarding the different cultures in China, customs, and food of the Chinese and North American people.
The videos on YouTube are both in English and Chinese subtitles. Jared does anything from pulling pranks on his friends to showing you interesting sites.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT 杰 里 德 JARED
34. 轻风乍起
Are you a fan of movie reviews? If you’re the type of person who can’t sit through a whole movie, then this is the channel to go for.
This channel makes 10-minute videos of movie summaries in Chinese which is great for those who don’t have much time for watching.
The channel is definitely for advanced and native speakers however the show host communicates so clearly that a learner would not have an issue following through.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT 轻风乍起
35. Kevin in Shanghai
Kevin is another very popular Chinese YouTuber who illustrates the diversity of culture in China in and out of China. He also makes food reviews and gives tips about the different cultures with lots of fun included.
Kevin is also friends with 杰 里 德 JARED and they often collaborate to produce different skits as they have similar content.
You will get to know different accents and dialects through this channel while listening to conversations between different groups of people.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT KEVIN IN SHANGHAI
Funny Chinese Youtube Channels
36. Mamahuhu
This is another great channel for Youtubers to learn Chinese and has over 190k subscribers. This popular channel uses funny skits that showcase the hilarious side of living in China as a “laowai” or foreigner.
It also pinpoints hilarious culture shock scenes after moving back to your country from China which will make you laugh your heart out.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MAMAHUHU
37. Unconventional Chinese
This is a very good channel for training in Chinese, especially at beginner levels. The host Keren lives in the US and not China.
Keren is a certified Chinese tutor having taught in various schools, campuses, and including the US military.
She uses comprehensible input designs to teach which is done by conducting 90% of videos in Chinese as well as using high-frequency vocab.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT UNCONVENTIONAL CHINESE
Conclusion
Hoping that this Chinese YouTube channel review has got you covered on the best channels for quality video tutorials and organized courses in 2024.
It is evident that most of the Youtube platforms discussed here use video courses however some have incorporated movies and TV shows to study China, its language, and culture.
To sum up, we rank Yoyo Chinese as the best one in this shortlist as it has over 20 million lessons which include outstanding methods for teaching the language!