Year-ender: Hit Chinese variety shows in 2025

The year 2025 saw a diverse lineup of Chinese variety shows capturing audiences online.

Outdoor challenge reality programs became frontrunners, delivering entertainment and laughter; travel series took audiences across borders, fostering cross-cultural exchanges; mystery-solving shows engaged audiences with thought-provoking cases; veteran and rising comedians competed with wit and satire, bringing laughs and heartfelt stories; relationship-focused programs explored love across cultures; and a Chinese culinary series made its African debut, bridging cultures through food.

Here are 10 popular variety shows of the year that entertained audiences while offering societal insight.