The China History Podcast

1,011
History #191

Since 2010, The China History Podcast, presented by Laszlo Montgomery brings you over 350 episodes of curated topics from China's antiquity to modern times.

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Recent Reviews
  • luckyrucksack
    Great show!
    I stumbled upon CHP, no particular interest in China until I started listening. I’ve listened to dozens of episodes now. I find them entertaining and informative and filling a big hole I didn’t even know I had. Thanks Laszlow!
  • dogbucket
    Eye roll
    Nauseating sinophobic propaganda.
  • MFP3NC
    A history teacher savior
    Laszlo brings an engaging narrative that has launched my understanding of the sterile-bastardized western textbook understanding of Chinese history to a level that has interjected a joy for poetry, philosophy and history into my 9th grade class. Thank you!!!
  • rhsiao
    Great variety of topics
    Probably one of the best podcasts on Chinese history to date. Very knowledgeable, in-depth, and Lazlo has a knack to deliver the content in a lighthearted way. Also love the coverage of specialized topics like Taiwan, tea, entertainment business, etc. Been a listener for years, exhausted all backlog episodes, and unfortunately no longer have the capacity to keep listening, but definitely recommended if you have any interest in the subject.
  • Bilas Peles
    Filling a big gap in my otherwise good education
    Chinese history is sadly not part of the education of most of the education for most of us in the West. This podcast does a good job of filling that gap, with detailed explanations of one period or individual. I have no way of judging whether the presenter’s explanations and analyses match those of scholars in China itself, but I feel I’m learning a lot. The presentations are clear and well crafted.
  • Berkeley Philosophy
    Great show!
    I’ll admit, at first I was a bit put off by Lazlo’s… how should I put it? “Chicago swagger”? But after a bit I’m all in. His knowledge and experience is unmatched for an American audience. As a fairly regular traveler to China and curious explorer I find this podcast ESSENTIAL. On par with Mike Duncan and Dan Carlin in terms of research and storytelling, probably surpassing them both because of his personal history with the subject. I’m more than happy to be a subscriber and financial supporter. Great podcast! 10/10
  • 泰勒 他贝尔
    For everyone but especially sinopholes
    Been a listener since 2022.
  • brian485
    An absolutely brilliant podcast
    As a long time student of Chinese history and philosophy Lazlo’s “the history of Chinese philosophy” is without the best discourse on the subject I’ve ever listened to. All eighteen episodes in the series are pure gold. The fact that there’s eighteen episodes dedicated to this important subject are welcomed and rare. Every episode is well researched and presented by someone that clearly has both great knowledge and great love for the subject of Chinese history. I can not recommend this podcast enough. Hands down my favorite podcast.
  • ShanghaiLion
    Fun, informative and expansive
    As a Modern Chinese History major (with a focus on the May 4th Literary Movement), that graduated 1 million years ago, I’ve mostly “given back to my teachers” any real knowledge from my champagne and caviar education. Well, the gaps are filling. I started out listening to the “modern stuff” and related political history on the CHP, but Laszlo is so good at explaining the topics and presenting in such an excellent manner, I’m going back and enjoying “the old stuff” as well. My two boys (11 and 9) and I listened to the episodes on Eunuchs and they really enjoyed it. Lots of palace intrigue and betrayals and Laszlo presents it so that even the younger listeners are hooked.
  • watchmedtime
    The best podcast if you like Chinese history
    Long-running podcast featuring the erudite and charismatic Lazlo Montgomery. I appreciate his coverage of less mainstream topics. I especially enjoyed his podcasts on different overseas Chinese communities such as the Hakka, Hokkien, and the Teochew (of which my maternal grandfather was one). Always entertaining and educational, it is a joy to listen to this podcast
  • vitogianluca10000000
    Pronunciation tho
    Should probably improve the Mandarin pronunciation if you are doing a Chinese history podcast. The cat episode is cute but the poem reciting was a pain to listen to.
  • Jandit
    As a Taiwanese American
    This podcast has brought me joy, anger, tears, pride, wisdom, laughter and enlightenment about the Asian continental biomass known as the ‘Chinese’. Thank you.
  • Bevalasvegas
    Great voice, funny and informative
    Great listening - very much enjoy
  • hu.dani
    So far the less ‘negative’ and informative podcast on Chinese history
    I searched through the whole Apple podcast database for a objective and informative Chinese history podcast and this was by far the best. I cannot trust any scholars who claim to understand the history and culture without even learning the language and living there for a time period, it is nearly impossible. Laszlo pronounces Chinese words pretty good and he has a interesting way of telling a huge story not only adults could enjoy and also my seven year old found it fascinating.
  • bluesand900287
    Great listen for Chinese history topics
    Excellent research on every topic being introduced. And thoroughly entertaining!
  • Maxwell reviews
    Love it
    Extremely thorough. I listen and relisten.
  • GeoBFrog
    A TERRIFIC history podcast.
    LM is a pleasure to hear, and explains things clearly. Thanks, Teacup Media!
  • saitarn n. betong
    History of Chinese in Thailand
    Quite an amazing storyteller with vast knowledge of events shaping the history of Chinese people in Thailand and the royal courts.
  • sgghdrfhjjk
    Lol
    I love your CHP episodes very much.
  • MikieO77
    One of my top five podcasts!
    Love the guys name and his seamless transition back-and-forth from clear English diction to Chinese pronunciations still very hard for me to keep the Chinese names straight myself being a native English speaker but an amazing podcast!
  • s37erasmus
    S37erasmus
    What a commie symp.
  • hobbitfan23
    Favorite podcast
    I learn so much just by listening to this podcast. I love Chinese history and the host explains it in such an entertaining way!
  • ErdrickMaximus
    Bad format
    History is linear. So should you... you jump back and forth in time too much. Even in the same paragraph. It does no good to talk about 20th century events if you haven’t talked about what caused them or lead to them in the century/centuries before. Stop referring to the early “survey” episodes as dry and/or boring. Those are in some ways the most important things you could say. That’s the style you should have gone with in the first place. That’s also when you should have explained more geography too. Or even included more of the surrounding region. I feel like you said almost nothing about Chinese history before 1911 CE. You’re putting way too much influence on modern events. Everything before that is what made China what it is. Why wouldn’t you spend more time on that??? Your audience is clearly not American since your rhetoric is obviously guided by, at least, a preference for the Chinese mentality, mindset, and sensibilities. We don’t use metric in America either.
  • Wiz
    So informative
    Lazlo’s knowledge of Chinese (and Asian) history is truly impressive. 真的中国通吧。thanks, I have learned so much from you
  • Sci fi Reagan_84
    I love this Podcast
    I’m an English teacher living in China. Though I love history, I had never studied Chinese history before moving here. When I came, I read a Chinese history book from Amazon. It was brutally boring. Then, I checked out the CHP. I love it. Lazlo actually loves every topic he tops about. I’m currently about 180 episodes. I’m very engaged with most episodes. The series stick out the most. The cultural revolution and deng xiaoping are my favorites. One time, I binged the history of tea while visiting a Buddhist temple. That was great.
  • mgshez
    Laz is the Nazz
    I started binging the CHP about ten months ago and I am only about 80% through. There is just so much to listen to: tons of episodes and most of them are about an hour. He keeps this podcast interesting by going from time period to time period and interspersing interesting otherwise nearly forgotten charahcters like Two-Gun Cohen. It's like istening to a knowledgeable friend.
  • skippywolfram
    Who initiated the violence?
    I'm sorry, did I miss who initiated the violence in the tragic case of Vincent Chin? (DLI Monterey Graduate, Chinese Mandarin 1985).
  • The person who talks.
    Amazing show.
    I listen to quite a few history podcasts, and this is still ranks as one of my favorites. Something about Lazlo’s voice and turn of phrase makes the podcast feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
  • Opera Povera
    Your voice changes
    Your voice changes a lot
  • Mrgthealchemist
    Six Degrees or Less of Separation from the Silk Road
    Laszlo has a plethora of knowledge of not only China history, but History of it self. He has stories on top of stories in his CHPs that teaches and insights interest you on the specific topics of history. He is an excellent story teller and sarcastic enough to make you laugh as you listen to him.
  • mollyalma1021
    Makes cleaning the kitchen fun and scholarly!
    Realizing I knew much too little about China, despite being a Classicist and a student of both ancient and modern history, I was lucky enough to stumble upon the China History Podcast. It’s like taking a college course in my kitchen! Not only very informative, but a pure delight as well. Thank you!
  • Ranting Rob
    China History Podcast
    Laszlo gives us a much more rounded and inclusive Picture of Chinese culture then do most other history podcastors. Whereas most of the history podcasts deal with endless warlords and rebellions and insurrections until one’s eyes roll into the back of our heads, Lazlo fills out the details by telling us about tang era poetry and dancers in Shanghai and cultural revolution and the things that give us an insight into the people themselves and not just the military and the emperors.
  • Big Dragon 2025
    Simply the best.
    Laslow could produce a podcast about Monarch Butterfly migration and I would still look forward weekly to his intelligent, witty and soothing dialogue.
  • Christaps13
    Fantastic so far
    Very informative, and easily digestible. The hosts knowledge and charisma make listening even more of a joy! Thank you.
  • Jordi Aran Mendez
    Chinese - Korean relations episode?
    Your work is amazing Laszlo zi! An episode on the history of china and korea? 韩国 does the han from hanguk (korean) come from khan (mongol) or is the han of Hánguó related to the Hàn people of china? Hanja, hanzi... Sorry I know nothing...about Korea even less.
  • Fei Ge Pai!!!
    Simply the best... better than all the rest!
    Sure, I’m quoting Tina Turner in a review of a China History podcast, but I’m sure she has high standards these days, as does Laszlo. Having been a China history buff for years, and having lived there for a while, I find This podcast to be on the money when it comes to China. Choices of topics are relevant and the narration style is light,.. which makes it enjoyable to follow.
  • Tmoneyrawlings
    Best Chinese History Podcast
    After traveling to China and learning Chinese for several years I have finally found something that can teach me Chinese history and China’s cultural background in a comprehensible and fun way! This podcast is awesome! Thank you so much for all of work!
  • nathan_zh
    The No 1 CHN history podcast!
    I found myself immersed in this podcast from the first episode. Easy to understand and full of information for both beginners and seasoned Chinese history scholars. I have studied Chinese history for more than 20 yrs and still find this channel super educational. Thank you very much, Laszlo!
  • jillyblue
    Better and better!
    This podcast gets better and better as I go along! Just finished ep 91 on Xiang Yu and the storytelling was outstanding! (Audio issues from earlier episodes have been resolved) So glad I found this one! Host is awesome and professional. Great job!!!!!
  • Elric19999
    Thorough and illuminating!
    Listening to this as an American, I realize I don’t know jack squat about Chinese history...this despite my always having been a history enthusiast.
  • pureoneness
    very good story telling
    extremely informative!
  • @LawyerSchiff
    One of my top listens!
    Great content, well presented with a great voice. Deeply enjoyable.
  • Jonahfar
    Why’d I waste 5 years and thousands?
    This is the perfect ‘course’ on 中国 history. Best podcast I’ve ever listened to. If you’re looking to further your knowledge of Chinese (and world) history, this is the podcast to listen to. Laszlo digs right in—no jokes about how much he drank the weekend before or awkward jokes...he knows his stuff and lays it all out there with a professional and friendly voice. 好极了!
  • sonricch
    Mind blown
    Laszlo my man, fantastic job on all you do. Anything you touch, turns to pod cast gold. I’ve learned so much from listening to your podcasts. A whole other world has been opened to me!! Just wanted to thank you!!
  • plinian_put
    Very very informative
    How to judge a “China expert”? Their Chinese pronunciation. Mr. Montgomery’s is impeccable...
  • JB94083
    Best Chinese in Town
    Just finished the 229th episode. It is great. I gladly signed up to be a patron of this nine year effort. Mr Montgomery may be too modest to admit it but he is a real “China Hand”. Excellent work.
  • Boulez25
    Chinese Smorgasbord
    You know those big Chinese meals where you have many plates of food to choose from? The China History Podcast is just like that. Laszlo Montgomery presents a wide range of topics covering the 5,000 years of Chinese history. You can pick and choose any topic from the almost 300 episodes (at the time of my writing this) and dive in. His style is easy going yet greatly informed and delivered with a quirky sense of humor. I've learned a lot from this podcast and it's one of my favorites.
  • qzhang25
    the breadth of knowledge on China history is amazing even for a chinese
    I had the luck to meet you once in LA, and am amazed by your breadth of knowledge in China history. Even more amazing is that you can explain the China history in easy to understand English than 99% Chinese people can do in their own language. Keep up great job.
  • DOW23
    Terrific podcast
    I wrote my original review a few years ago. Still love this podcast … look forward to each & every episode. Very much a 5 star podcast. I am certainly not a China expert but have been fascinated by the country for years. We've also been lucky enough to travel there and now know number of Chinese in the US. I love this podcast as a way to learn more about the history and culture of this amazing country. Laszlo always has a wide range of topics & does a terrific job of sharing his knowledge.
  • AppStoreJoe
    Laszlo deserves an Oscar
    China history is a very long and complicated subject to cover without bias. Laszlo does a honest job with talking points from both sides of the story. As a Chinese born American, CHP has taught me so much about both cultures and lessons of life. Everyone has a connection to China, whether if it’s the Nike shoes that your wearing or the take out orange chicken that you ordered last night, this podcast is truly a must hear.
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