About this season
Ray Mears is on a journey of discovery among the landscapes and wildlife of China.Starting in the capital Beijing, and taking in wonders of the world like the Great Wall of China, Ray walks with elephants in the country's tropical rainforest, joins rangers rewilding the nation's giant pandas, searches for the elusive snow leopard, explores one of its most famous landscapes in Karst country, comes face to face with a brown bear, and treks in the foothills of the Himalayas alongside herbal medicine experts, uncovering secrets of its plants.
Episodes (7)
1. Beijing and the Great Wall
Aired 13 July 2021 • 22 min
The presenter explores the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of China, beginning in Beijing, where he visits the Beijing Raptor Rescue Centre and releases an owl back into the wild. He also learns about unusual looking deer, and joins world expert Dr Lindesay on the Great Wall of China.
2. Walking with Elephants
Aired 20 July 2021 • 22 min
Ray explores plants and wildlife In China's tropical rainforest. He also meets elephant conservationist Dr Bao Mingwei, and goes in search of China's Asian elephant.
3. China's Pandas
Aired 27 July 2021 • 22 min
Ray explores the Sichuan Province in southwest China, a region of mountains and bamboo forests which are home to China's giant pandas. Throughout the programme, Ray joins rangers on the giant panda re-wilding programme to learn more about the vital work they do for the species.
4. The Valley of the Cats
Aired 3 August 2021 • 22 min
Searching for wildlife, Ray travels to the Tibetan plateau. On his journey he meets a family of yak herders, and joins conservationist Terry Townsend on a search for the elusive snow leopard.
5. The Land of the Dragon
Aired 10 August 2021 • 22 min
This time, the presenter explores one of China's most famous landscapes, Karst country. On the Li River he learns how to fish with cormorants and sees water buffalo, before venturing into vast caves with Dr Alice Hughes.
6. China’s Brown Bears
Aired 17 August 2021 • 22 min
In Qinghai Province Ray goes on a bear hunt. Through the world’s highest and largest grassland, Ray comes across pika, Tibetan fox and even wolves - and ends up face to face with a brown bear.
7. The Secret’s of Shangri-La
Aired 24 August 2021 • 22 min
In the foothills of the Himalayas, Ray treks alongside herbal medicine experts uncovering secrets of its plants. Plus, he finds one of the world’s rarest creatures; the snub nosed monkey.