An ancient civilization steeped in science and innovation, China introduced the West to the luxuries of silk and tea, the technology of the compass and the power of gunpowder. Now, this amazing country – home to one-fifth the world’s population – is bursting into the 21st century and employing science to re-establish its position in the world. Pack your bags and join Discovery Channel for a look at China that few have ever seen with the premiere of China Week, Sun., Oct. 1 to Sun., Oct. 8 (please see descriptions below for date and time information).
Landscape of Longji rice terraces, China, as seen in Discovery Atlas: China Revealed, premiering Sun., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD.
With unprecedented access to everything from the rapidly expanding Chinese space program to the amazing engineering and massive structures being completed for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Discovery Channel reveals the revolutionary face of science in China – a truly unique portrait that will forever change your view of the country.
Following last year’s enormously successful Daily Planet Goes to Japan theme week, this Fall, Discovery Channel presents China Week, featuring a full week of Discovery’s original flagship science magazine on location – and in High Definition – in Daily Planet Goes to China, plus the World Premiere of Discovery Atlas: China Revealed and the Canadian Premiere of China’s Mega Dam.
Discovery Atlas: China Revealed
Sun., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
(Simulcast in High Definition on Discovery HD) Kicking off China Week, and narrated by Emmy® Award-winning actor James Spader, the two-hour High Definition special Discovery Atlas: China Revealed explores the livelihood of rice farmers tilling land that their ancestors have worked for 18 centuries and meets monks teaching a 500-year-old discipline. Also, share the dreams of a 12-year-old Olympic hopeful gymnast and Shanghai’s key development tycoon, representing the future of China.
Discovery Atlas: China Revealed explores where tradition meets the explosion of modern life behind the Great Wall, captured with stunning photography, High Definition technology, rich scholarship and innovative storytelling.
Daily Planet Goes to China
Mon., Oct. 2 to Fri., Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT (Simulcast in High Definition on Discovery HD) Discovery’s flagship science magazine goes on location beyond the Great Wall as the cornerstone of the channel’s ambitious China Week experience. Hosted by Jay Ingram and Natasha Stillwell, the weeklong Daily Planet Goes to China event showcases China’s wondrous world of science and engineering marking the country’s breathtaking transformation.
Episode highlights from Daily Planet Goes to China include:
· Mon., Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Join Jay Ingram and Natasha Stillwell from the Great Wall of China as they kick off their exploration of the country with a look at Beijing’s National Olympic Stadium and National Swimming Centre destined to be the architectural yin and yang of the 2008 Olympic site; an exclusive visit to China’s National Space Administration’s Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology; and discover what’s being done to save one of the world’s most prized archeological discoveries, Emperor Qin’s Terra Cotta Warriors, now suffering the ravages of air pollution. This episode also explores the construction of the record-breaking eight-kilometre-long Sutong Bridge crossing the Yangtze River; increasing the endangered panda population with a little passion; and the physics of Ping Pong.
· Tues. Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Day two of Daily Planet Goes to China captures the energy of Shanghai during the day. On Tuesday, buckle up and see how three racecar drivers test their cars – and their courage – at the brand new Shanghai International Circuit; see how Shanghai is making way for the future with an elegant and eclectic approach to new architecture; and meet scientists endeavoring to control the weather to alleviate drought. Other highlights today include driverless autocars; rescue robots that can snake through earthquake and crash site disasters; and how tea is harvested and processed.
· Wed., Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Midweek, it’s time for a royal tour as Stillwell and Ingram check out China’s Summer Palace and meet the engineers who are taking a decidedly antiquated approach to restoring the palace to its former glory. Also on Wednesday, see how Beijing’s National Swimming Centre, the “Water Cube,” is both an engineering and environmental marvel; learn how a detailed study of Peking Man – and not Lucy – seems to represent the origin of the modern Chinese population; see how bronze bells are made using ancient methods; demystify Chinese herbal medicine; and the discovery and training of young athletes.
· Thurs., Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
You can’t control the weather or workday morning traffic snarls…
Or can you? From Zhangxiao, Stillwell and Ingram look at the ways Chinese engineers are masterminding the seemingly impossible. Thursday’s highlights include a look at the satellite technology that might solve Beijing’s daily traffic nightmares; exploring how monitoring stations can predict hazardous sandstorms; discover the remarkable ancient Bronze Chimes of Marquis Yi that can play two distinct notes – but how?; follow silk from the silkworm to the fashion catwalks; learn the science of Tai Chi; and visit the sustainable eco-village of Huangbaiyu.
· Fri., Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Featuring the glittering lights of Shanghai at night, Daily Planet in China wraps up with a final episode full of ships, a sinking city and space. Daily Planet’s last day in China includes a visit to the country’s largest shipyard – larger than 300 football fields – where engineers are building the next generation of mega shipping vessels that are not only state-of-the-art, but environmentally responsible too. Then, see how Shanghai rivals Venice as a sinking metropolis and what scientists are trying to do to keep the city’s skyscrapers upright; meet panda Xiang Xiang, born and raised in captivity, and watch as he is returned to the wild; track a real wild thing and join the hunt for the Yeren, the Chinese answer to Bigfoot; and return to space with a look at the Shenzhou 6 mission and the exhaustive training the astronauts underwent for that mission.
Visit
China’s Mega Dam
Thurs., Oct. 5 At 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China is the largest public works project in the history of mankind. Its size, scale and potential are unprecedented in engineering history. The idea behind the project was to dam the Yangtze River at the base of the Three Gorges to provide electricity and water for the lower half of China and ease the dramatic flooding that had affected the millions who live along the upper Yangtze. But has it worked? In 1996 and 1997, Discovery Channel production crews were granted exclusive access to the initial stages of construction for the documentary, Three Gorges Dam, capturing both the engineering and the human impact of the project on nearby temples, villages and cities. Now, Discovery Channel returned with the same crew to finish the story.
This two-hour special catches up with the story as the dam nears completion and starts producing electricity; the water levels have risen by 25 metres, with another 25 metres yet to rise this year. As an estimated two million people have been evacuated, with more to follow, China’s Mega Dam follows the stunning developments of the story that has spanned a decade and impacted millions.
China: Rise of the Golden Dragon
Sun., Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
(Simulcast in High Definition on Discovery HD) Not enough of Daily Planet Goes to China? Pack your bags for another look at the week’s best stories in the one-hour special, China: Rise of the Golden Dragon. Join Daily Planet hosts Jay Ingram and Natasha Stillwell for more science and discovery from the world’s most populous nation. This High Definition special highlights additional footage from Beijing’s National Swimming Centre, shipbuilding, the super fast Shanghai racetrack, China’s manned space program, traffic management in Beijing’s bustling city centre, Sutong Bridge and the autocar.
Additional information:
– Discovery Channel’s Official Website