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Story of China
Did the Chinese Invent Soccer?
The rules of the "World's Game," modern soccer, were fixed in England in the 1860's; but 1000 years ago in Song dynasty China, there were soccer clubs, rules, fans and even music and fast food at half-time! In Beijing, Michael gets up close for a crunch match in today's Chinese Premier League and compares the modern game to Song dynasty "Kickball."
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55:18
The great Taiping Rebellion, the fall of the Empire and the rise of Mao.
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55:48
Michael Wood tells the dramatic tale of China's last empire, the Qing.
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56:48
The time of the Great Wall , the Forbidden City and treasure ships sent on ocean voyages.
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55:18
Michael Wood tells the tale of China's Renaissance.
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57:33
Michael Wood conjures up China's first great international age, the Tang Dynasty.
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55:18
Michael Wood returns to the beginnings of Chinese history to find clues to today's China.