Smithsonian Channel to Premiere CHINA FROM ABOVE

A country of staggering contrasts, China is home to the world's highest mountains, arid deserts, bustling megacities, the ruins of ancient civilizations and the source of Asia's biggest rivers. Now, a new four-part series from Smithsonian Channel reveals the SECRETS and patterns of life in traditional and modern China in stunning ultra-high definition, portraying 40 locations across all four corners of the country. Through a combination of innovative aerial photography and on-the-ground human stories, CHINA FROM ABOVE showcases this breathtaking nation like never before and reveals a country that has long fascinated and mystified. CHINA FROM ABOVE premieres Monday, November 12 at 8 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

CHINA FROM ABOVE begins with a look at the religious traditions of the country, as well as its greatest man-made wonders. From the majestic 13,000-mile long Great Wall to the famous Hanging Temple of Shanxi Province and a generations-old horse race across the Zhaosu grasslands, viewers will get a front-row seat to the country's rich history. The series goes on to reveal how modern China lives, eats, works and plays - best evidenced by the megacity of Shanghai. Surveying this enormous nation, CHINA FROM ABOVE offers a greater understanding of the country's rapid industrialization, how that very progress impacts the planet and the pursuit of ecofriendly solutions from giant wind farms to solar parks. CHINA FROM ABOVE utilizes helicopters, drones and five different directors in the field to bring audiences a uniquely comprehensive look at this powerhouse of Eastern culture.

CHINA FROM ABOVE is a CICC, NHNZ and Beach House Pictures co-production in association with Smithsonian Channel, Nat Geo Channels International, NDR and the New Zealand Government Screen Production Grant. Donovan Chan and Andrew Holland are Executive Producers for Beach House Pictures. Kyle Murdoch is executive producer and Lorne Townend is series producer for NHNZ. Wang Yuanyuan is executive producer and Kong Weina is supervising producer for CICC. Iain Riddick and Sue Davidson are executive producers for Nat Geo Channels International. Joy Galane and David Royle are executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel™, owned by Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where CURIOSITY lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing factual entertainment, available in HD and 4K Ultra HD across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel, winner of Emmy® and Peabody awards for its programming, combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME® with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, travel, history, science, nature and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, The Lost Tapes, Mighty Ships, Million Dollar American Princesses, THE PACIFIC WAR IN COLOR and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include The Coronation, The Mountain Lion and Me, Earth from Outer Space and Titanoboa: Monster Snake. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth™, through SN Digital LLC., a subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular 4K original nature and wildlife content. Smithsonian Channel is also available internationally in Canada, Singapore and Latin America. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.