The Story of China with Michael Wood

Michael Wood goes back to the beginnings of Chinese history to find clues to today's China. Starting with a family reunion, when 300 relatives gather to worship their ancestors on 'Tomb Sweeping Day,' Michael explores ancient myths and archaeological sites to uncover the origins of the Chinese state.

In a tale of fantastic geographical sweep, Michael Wood conjures up China's first great international age, the Tang Dynasty. From picturesque old cities on the Yellow River he travels to the bazaars of the Silk Road in Central Asia, and on to India in the footsteps of the Chinese monk who brought Buddhist texts to China.

Michael Wood tells the tale of China's Renaissance, which happened long before the one in Europe. In the alleys of Kaifeng, the world's greatest city before the 19th century, he hears legends, samples the cuisine and explores printing.

The Ming Dynasty was the time of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, when China sent treasure ships on ocean voyages to Africa and the Persian Gulf.

Michael Wood tells the dramatic tale of China's last empire, the Qing. In the 18th century China was the biggest economy in the world, and with that prosperity came a fabulously rich culture.

This last film tells the tale of the great Taiping Rebellion in which 20 million died, and the fall of the Empire in 1911. Michael visits Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel, jewel of the Jazz age, and follows Mao on the Long March to Yan'an, the base of the communist revolution.