Classic Chinese Stories, Retold in English
A PODCAST BY JOHN ZHU
There are Chinese novels, stories, myths, and legends that have been read, told, retold, and cherished by billions of people for centuries. Their influence on Chinese and other Eastern cultures is the equal of Shakespearean plays and Homeric epics in the West, yet large swaths of the world are unaware of these amazing works. I try to help change that by retelling these classic Chinese tales in podcast format, in English, and with the necessary background information to help non-Chinese audiences understand and appreciate them.
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Latest Episodes
Journey 019: Gone Party
Everybody is delighted at San Zang gaining a new traveling companion, especially his host.
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Journey 018: Going Hog Wild
The pilgrims spend the night with a family experiencing major buyer’s remorse about their son-in-law.
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Journey 017: Jagged Little Pill
The Black Bear Demon finds out that it doesn’t feel so good to have a monkey swimming in your stomach.
Read moreStories I Have Covered
Journey to the West
A monkey, a pig, and a hairy guy walk into a bar … errrr, a Buddhist temple in this beloved tale where Zen wisdom meets simian shenanigans. (Ongoing, 2025-present)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The most revered of China’s four great classic novels. Think “Game of Thrones” meets Homeric epic. (Completed, 2014-2018, 175 episodes)
Water Margin (Outlaws of the Marsh)
Another of the four great Chinese classic novels. Imagine Klingons run amok in 12th-century China. (Completed, 2019-2022, 141 episodes)
Investiture of the Gods
A leading work in the “gods and demons” genre of Chinese fiction. A tale of dynastic struggles and Daoist mafia wars. (Completed, 2022-2024, 91 episodes)
What Listeners Are Saying
Reviews from Apple Podcasts
It’s partly an audiobook, partly a history lesson, and great in how it handles both.
This guy tells this story so well with just the right amount of western humor and sarcasm …
The beauty of John Zhu’s work here is that he explains in detail what warrants clarification, elides the extras, and brings his enthusiasm for the work right to the fore.
He has managed to light the same fire within me as when my father read me The Hobbit for the first time as a child.
The host is charismatic and entertaining while the story itself is engrossing.
The source material is wonderful, but the retelling for a contemporary Western audience is really just amazing …
He’s got a great storytelling style and his side commentary on the story is great and occasionally has me actually laugh out loud.
His podcasts are entertaining and true to the tone of the original story. He has a real talent for making Chinese stories accessible to a western audience.
Anyone from ages 6 to 600 would enjoy his retelling of this incredible story.
What a great way to dive into Chinese culture and history! A truly masterful presentation!
I love John Zhu’s infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter and his meticulous attention to detail.
His podcasts are entertaining and true to the tone of the original story. He has a real talent for making Chinese stories accessible to a western audience.
Support the Show
Make a gift; buy some swag
If you wish to support the podcast, you can make a one-time or recurring gift through Patreon or PayPal. You can also check out the online store for Chinese Lore-themed merchandise. Details are on the Support the Show page.
Support the ShowSome of the items in the online store
Lego legends
To accompany my podcast episodes, I’ve created Lego scenes depicting many of the memorable moments from the stories. Check them out.
Three Kingdoms Legos (PDF)Water Margin Legos (PDF)