Plot Synopsis

Narrated by Vanessa Kirby, CHINA: NATURE'S ANCIENT KINGDOM is a three-part documentary series that explores the Chinese government's national park pilot project that has been especially set up across 10 sites to protect the country's rarest species and delicate ecosystems. This series opens with China's mountainous terrains, where foxes, antelopes, and snow leopards thrive in harsh conditions. It then moves to dense forests that host the extraordinary snub-nosed monkeys and the giant pandas. Finally, on the fringes of the city, man and beast compete for resources and must adapt to survive. With 20% of China to be designated as protected land, what do local people think about these ambitious conservation efforts? And could this landmark project inspire similar projects across the globe? CHINA: NATURE'S ANCIENT KINGDOM had its U.S. premiere on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT on BBC America.