Digital video content has become a popular way for people to share their passions all over the world. Independently produced videos like those on YouTube and Bilibili are the perfect place to get free naturally spoken, native input with visual context. Whether you just started learning Chinese or are advanced, with millions of hours of content, there’s something for everyone to watch.

Chinese YouTube Account

To create the best immersion environment, you should start by making a new YouTube account that is only for watching videos in your target language. If you don’t have a second Google account that you can use for this, I suggest following the instructions linked below for creating a Google account that will also allow you to access the Taiwanese Google Play Store and apps in Chinese. Once you have an account you’d like to use, find a few YouTube channels in your target language to subscribe to; you can find some channels to start with below. Only subscribe to channels in your target language. When a video appears on your home page in a language other than Chinese, click on the three dots under the video and select “don’t recommend channel.” For more details on this, watch the video below. You can also use Trancy or Language Reactor to help you understand videos as you watch them. Click the link below if you’re not already familiar with them.

Beginner

YouTube channels at the beginner level are mostly simple, immersive content for Chinese learners. These videos are educational and easy to follow, so they are great for getting used to listening to Chinese.

Mandarin Click

Mandarin Click is a channel that makes short videos about easy-to-understand stories with colorful to graphics. It’s great for beginners who have just started listening to Chinese because the stories are simple and include pinyin and context.

Chinese Zero to Hero

Chinese Zero to Hero is a fantastic grammar resource for Chinese learners. They have playlists for all HSK grammar as well as many other useful study videos. They often use C-dramas to provide example sentences and context for new grammar and vocabulary to make learning more fun!

Shuoshuo Chinese

Shuo makes vlogs and videos for Chinese language learners. Her videos are fun and informative making it a great channel for learners.

Grace Mandarin Chinese

Grace’s YouTube channel is super useful for learning grammar and listening practice.

Intermediate

At the intermediate level, it’s time to start moving away from content with English subtitles or translations. Even if you don’t fully understand it, you should at least be passively listening to content that is fully in Chinese. This will help you get used to the way Chinese is spoken, and you’ll pick up new words through context.

Lazy Chinese

Lazy Chinese is a channel that covers interesting topics in simple and comprehensible Chinese to improve your listening and learn new words through context. The videos cover more advanced topics in a way that is understandable for learning, making it the perfect channel for intermediate learners.

Mandarin Corner

Mandarin Corner provides in-depth immersion through interviews about different interesting topics regarding Chinese society and culture. They also have complete video courses for each HSK level.

Chinese Podcast with Shenglan

Shenglan hosts a podcast and makes vlogs for Chinese learners to get native-level natural input. Her videos are easy to watch and great for more advanced Chinese learners.

LingLing Mandarin

LingLing’s channel has a lot of great stories for intermediate learners. Her channel is great for listening and shadowing practice.

Easy Mandarin

Easy Mandarin in channel for learners to hear real spoken Mandarin through street interviews. They make videos by asking Chinese people on the street interesting questions.

Advanced

At the advanced level, it’s time to start watching fully native content that covers a larger variety of topics. YouTube has lots of Taiwanese creators while Bilibili is a Chinese platform, so they’re both perfect for full immersion. Below are channels I find useful, but I encourage you to find channels that you like on your own as well.

YouTube

TGOP (This Group of People)

TGOP is a sketch comedy group that mostly makes skits. All of their videos have traditional Chinese and English subtitles, so this a great channel for those interested in learning the Taiwanese dialect or traditional Chinese characters.

Keep Running and Other Variety Shows

Keep Running is a popular variety show where Chinese celebrities compete in ridiculous tasks and challenges. The show is funny and light-hearted, and it’s one of my favorite TV shows. Reality shows are great for hearing real, everyday Chinese, and there are also many other shows available through Zhejiang STV.

Kouki

Kouki is a gamer who mostly plays Minecraft. His target audience is on the younger side, but that also makes the vocabulary in his videos easier to watch and understand as a learner. However, he does have a strong Taiwanese accent that may take some time to get used to.

MaoMaoTV

Mao is a travel vlogger who documents her travels around the world. This is a great channel if you are interested in travel and culture.

Leya

Leya is a gamer who analyzes, and reviews a variety of RPGs. Her videos are pretty long, so they are great for passive immersion.

Public TV- Our Island

Our Island is a channel that makes videos about the cultural and biological diversity of the island of Taiwan. If you are interested in learning more about Taiwan, this a great channel to do so.

HOOK

Hook is a Taiwanese YouTuber who makes comedic vlogs about her life and experiences. Her videos are on the more difficult side, so this channel is best for very advanced learners.

Bilibili

Dachengchengchengzi

Dachengchengchengzi is a gamer who mostly plays Minecraft with her friends and other female gamers. Here videos are relaxing and easy to watch with a great atmosphere. She is easy to understand and has lots of content so she’s a great person to watch for improving your Chinese.

Xiaochao Yuanzhang

Xiaochao is a classic Bilibili personality and part of a network of other Bilibili channels, so he usually collaborates with other people. His videos are similar to many popular high-energy YouTubers as they are often comedic and over-the-top.

Meetfood Mishi

Meshfood host JoeJoe is a food vlogger who travels around the world recording his experiences traveling and trying different foods. His videos are engaging, high-energy, and easy to follow.

Nyajiang de yisheng

Nya is a vlogger and gamer who documents her life and experiences on Bilibili. Her videos are great for listening to everyday Chinese and learning about new topics through context.

Yushan OvO

Yushan is a classic let’s player with lots of engaging content for gaining exposure and listening. He has videos playing many popular games including Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and The Forest. He often plays horror games but will play other games as well.

Mojie Zaowu

Mojie Zaowu creates flying vehicles and drones. If you are interested in technology or engineering, you’ll probably like this channel.