
15 Movies To Watch Before Going To China

15. House Of Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers is a feast for the eyes, blending graceful martial arts, vivid colors, and a tragic love story set against a backdrop of rebellion. With breathtaking choreography and stunning visuals, it’s a film you’ll remember more for how it moves than what it says. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

14. Spring In A Small Town
Spring in a Small Town is a quiet and emotionally charged drama set in post-war rural China, where old love resurfaces under the shadow of illness and regret. With only a handful of characters and restrained storytelling, it’s a beautifully simple film that says a lot without ever raising its voice. | © Cinema Epoch

13. Not One Less
Not One Less is a heartfelt, quietly powerful film about a 13-year-old girl thrust into the role of teacher in a crumbling rural school, doing everything she can to keep her students together. With non-professional actors and real settings, it captures the struggles of rural China with honesty and unforgettable charm. | © Columbia Pictures

12. Let the Bullets Fly
Let the Bullets Fly pulls off a rare mix of sharp humor and brutal action, backed by a clever script and standout performances. It’s fast, funny, and unpredictable, a living proof that Chinese cinema can be just as wild and witty as any Western crime caper. | © Emperor Motion Pictures

11. To Live
To Live is a deeply moving journey through decades of Chinese history, seen through one family's quiet resilience amid political upheaval and personal loss. With raw performances and unforgettable scenes, it captures the beauty and heartbreak of simply trying to survive. | © UGC Distribution

10. A World Without Thieves
A World Without Thieves unfolds on a train ride through China, where con artists clash with innocence in a stylish cat-and-mouse story. With strong performances and polished visuals, it’s a smart, emotional ride through trust, deception, and the human heart. | © Media Asia Distribution

9. The Spring River Flows East
The Spring River Flows East is an epic wartime melodrama that paints a heartbreaking picture of love, betrayal, and survival in China between the 1930s and 40s. Spanning years of separation and sacrifice, it’s a powerful introduction to the emotional weight of Chinese historical cinema. | © Kunlun Film Company

8. Beijing Bicycle
Beijing Bicycle is a raw, street-level look at modern life in China, where a simple bike becomes a symbol of survival, pride, and social divide. It’s a quiet but powerful story of two teens from different worlds clashing in a fast-changing city. | © Sony Pictures Classics

7. IP Man
IP Man delivers sharp, grounded martial arts action while honoring one of China’s most legendary kung fu masters. With Donnie Yen at his best and powerful scenes set during wartime Foshan, it’s a gripping intro to Wing Chun and the spirit behind it. | © Mandarin Films

6. The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor takes viewers inside the Forbidden City to witness the rise and fall of China’s final monarch, a ruler with power in title but none in practice. Shot on location with jaw-dropping scale and detail, it’s both a history lesson and a visual feast that captures a China few ever get to see. | © Columbia Pictures

5. Skyfall
Skyfall combines espionage and elegance with a darker, more reflective Bond, but it’s the neon glow of Shanghai and the mystery of Macau that steal the show. If you want a taste of China’s cinematic cool before you land, this high-stakes thriller delivers it with style. | © MGM

4. Raise The Red Lantern
Raise the Red Lantern is a haunting portrait of power, tradition, and isolation inside a wealthy Chinese household, brought to life with stunning visual precision. Its quiet intensity and striking use of color reveal the emotional cost of hierarchy and control in a rigidly patriarchal society. | © Orion Classics

3. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 throws viewers into a visually explosive revenge saga that pays bold homage to classic martial arts films. From its Tokyo showdown to its stylized swordplay, it’s a must-see for anyone drawn to the cinematic influence of East Asian action. | © Miramax Films

2. The Karate Kid
Before heading to China, revisit this classic underdog tale that introduced millions to martial arts and the wisdom of Mr. Miyagi. The Karate Kid is a unique story of resilience, discipline, and how a little guidance can transform your life, and it's packed with iconic moments that still resonate today. | © Columbia Pictures

1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a martial arts epic that blends breathtaking action with emotional depth, pulling you into a world of honor, love, and quiet rebellion. Set in Qing dynasty China, it’s a must-watch for anyone wanting a poetic glimpse into the country’s mythic past and cinematic beauty. | © Columbia Pictures
Related News
More