Shining a light on the evolution of Western and Eastern traditions, Crossing Cultures is a unique programme dedicated to exploring the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Europe and China.

Crossing Cultures

The shared traditions of Zisha teapot making and crystal glass

A co-production with CGTN

Crossing Cultures heads to Yixing in eastern China to learn more about the ancient art of Zisha teapots, while in Europe the team visits Saint-Louis to discover the firm's famous crystal creations.

10 December 2024

Crossing Cultures

Gardens of culture: French grandeur & Chinese serenity

A co-production with CGTN

In this episode of Crossing Cultures, we explore two iconic garden models - a grand French masterpiece and a tranquil Chinese oasis - to discover how nature and design reflect the cultural identities that shaped them.

19 November 2024

Crossing Cultures

How silk shaped the fortunes of China and Europe

A co-production with CGTN

In this episode, we travel between the silk cities of Suzhou in eastern China, and Lyon in southeastern France, to find out how this treasured material changed Eastern and Western culture.

5 November 2023

Crossing Cultures

Crossing Cultures: How China and Europe mastered the sea

A co-production with CGTN

In the world of maritime history, the connection between China and Europe is a tale woven through centuries of exploration, trade, and innovation. In this episode of Crossing Cultures, we embark on a journey to uncover the rich maritime heritage that binds these two distant regions together.

22 October 2023

Crossing Cultures

China's gift to the world: the perfect cup of tea

A co-production with CGTN

China was the first country to cultivate tea and remains the biggest grower of the Camellia sinensis shrub which most tea varieties are extracted from.

15 October 2023

Crossing Cultures

Forged from fire: how swords shaped China and Europe's culture

A co-production with CGTN

For millennia swords have held deep cultural significance in both Asia and Europe. In this episode of Crossing Cultures, we head to Toledo in Spain and Longquan in China to meet the swordsmiths still forging in the ancient tradition.

22 December 2022

Crossing Cultures

How Chinese porcelain inspired Europe’s own pottery

A co-production with CGTN

16th-century Chinese potters in Jingdezhen made the finest porcelain, a magical material never seen before. Only they knew the production process - a closely guarded secret. But over time Dutch potters began crafting their own precious blue and white ceramics.

30 November 2022

Crossing Cultures

Colourful clothmaking in Scotland and China

A co-production with CGTN

In Scotland, local plants and lichens inspire the makers of Harris tweed. In south-western China, Bai people use woad root to tie-dye their clothes.

31 October 2022