Journey to the West

1996•44m•7.3/10

DramaAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy

Ratings

🎬TMDb

7.3/10(14)

Journey to the West is a Hong Kong television series adapted from the classical novel of the same title. Starring Dicky Cheung, Kwong Wah, Wayne Lai and Evergreen Mak, the series was produced by TVB and was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in November 1996. A sequel, Journey to the West II, was broadcast in 1998, but the role of the Monkey King was played by Benny Chan instead, due to contract problems between Dicky Cheung and TVB. Cheung later reprised the role in another television series The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra, which was broadcast on TVB but not produced by the station.

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Production

TVB

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

November 18, 1996

Last Aired

December 22, 1998

Networks

TVB Jade

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock

Air date: 1996-11-18

The stone monkey is born from a magic rock and disturbs the heavens with his power. The Jade Emperor imprisons him under the Five-Finger Mountain to atone for his arrogance.

Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e

Air date: 1996-11-19

Tian Peng and Wu Gang both fall for the moon goddess Chang’e, leading to jealousy and chaos in heaven. Meanwhile, the monkey learns from a great master and becomes Sun Wukong.

Wukong’s Death Approaches

Air date: 1996-11-20

Wukong trains for decades to master immortality and learns the seventy-two transformations. He escapes the underworld by tricking the King of Hell and alters the Book of Life and Death.

Wukong Is Punished

Air date: 1996-11-21

Wukong becomes keeper of the heavenly stables but grows rebellious when mocked by other immortals. He quits heaven in anger, leading the Jade Emperor to declare him an outlaw.

Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain

Air date: 1996-11-22

Wukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.

Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts

Air date: 1996-11-25

Tian Peng is banished to earth and accidentally reincarnates into the body of a pig. Rescued by Guanyin, he becomes Zhu Bajie, destined to help the future scripture pilgrim.

Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples

Air date: 1996-11-26

The monk Tang Sanzang begins his pilgrimage and frees Wukong from his mountain prison. He also recruits Bajie and the river demon Sha Wujing to aid his holy mission.

Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan

Air date: 1996-11-27

The pilgrims face the Fiery Mountain and Wukong seeks the magic fan to extinguish the flames. His first attempt to borrow it from Princess Iron Fan ends in failure.

The Dream Demon Causes Trouble

Air date: 1996-11-28

While Wukong searches for the fan, a Dream Demon attacks the sleeping monks. Wukong allies with the Bull Demon King to outsmart the demons and retrieve the fan.

E10

Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon

Air date: 1996-11-29

The Dream Demon manipulates Red Boy into turning against his parents and attacking Wukong. Red Boy’s misuse of his fire powers brings ruin until he learns the demon’s deceit.

E11

Wukong Nears Death

Air date: 1996-12-02

Wukong is blinded and gravely wounded in a trap set by Red Boy and the Dream Demon. Through Tang Sanzang’s compassion and prayer, he miraculously recovers.

E12

Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment

Air date: 1996-12-03

Guanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.

E13

Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed

Air date: 1996-12-04

The travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.

E14

Wukong Is Expelled by His Master

Air date: 1996-12-05

Wukong kills a disguised White-Bone Spirit, but Tang Sanzang mistakes it for murder. Heartbroken, Wukong is banished from the group while the real demon captures his master.

E15

The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated

Air date: 1996-12-06

Wukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.

E16

Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain

Air date: 1996-12-09

Bajie marries a princess and forgets his vows, living in luxury as a prince. Tang Sanzang and Wukong remind him of his duty, and he repents his earthly desires.

E17

Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself

Air date: 1996-12-10

Bajie is deceived by a vengeful demon and believes he has killed Tang Sanzang. Overcome with guilt, he tries to hang himself but is saved by Guanyin’s mercy.

E18

Wukong Bets with the Three Demons

Air date: 1996-12-11

In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.

E19

The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed

Air date: 1996-12-12

Wukong outwits the tiger, deer, and ram demons in a series of deadly wagers. Each is slain after their magic fails, restoring peace to the kingdom.

E20

Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits

Air date: 1996-12-13

Tang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.

E21

Shishi’s Past Love Story

Air date: 1996-12-16

Shishi recalls her former life as a woman in love with a scholar who died saving her. Moved by her sorrow, Wukong and Tang Sanzang help her seek redemption.

E22

En’en Falls in Love with Wukong

Air date: 1996-12-17

Shishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.

E23

Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used

Air date: 1996-12-18

Deceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.

E24

The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang

Air date: 1996-12-19

The centipede demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang, causing confusion among the pilgrims. Wukong relies on Shishi’s guidance to reveal the true monk and defeat the impostor.

E25

En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love

Air date: 1996-12-20

The demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.

E26

Tang Sanzang Collapses

Air date: 1996-12-23

Exhausted in the desert, Tang Sanzang collapses under the blazing sun. Wukong risks his life to carry him onward, and they are saved by the general Feihu.

E27

Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen

Air date: 1996-12-24

The pilgrims reach the Women’s Kingdom where Tang Sanzang is mistaken for a handsome queen-to-be. Despite royal temptation, he remains faithful to his vows.

E28

The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant

Air date: 1996-12-25

After drinking the Mother-Child Spring, all four pilgrims become magically pregnant. Wukong seeks Guanyin’s help to find a cure before it’s too late.

E29

Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?

Air date: 1996-12-26

A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.

E30

Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger

Air date: 1996-12-27

Tang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.

Cast

Kwong Wa

Tang Sanzang

Wayne Lai Yiu-Cheung

Zhu Bajie

Evergreen Mak Cheung-Ching

Sha Wujing

Benny Chan Ho-Man

Sun Wukong

Joe Ma Tak-Chung

Lee Lung-Kei

Chung Nam Wah

Cheung Ying-Tsoi

Kwok Tak-San

Yoe Biu

Ben Wong Tin-Dok

Chor Yuen

Ng Wai-San

Joyce Koi

Wong Wai

Chun Wong

Leung Bo-Ching

Ken Lok Tat-Wah

Melissa Ng Mei-Heng

Yue Ming

Journey to the West is a Chinese television series adapted from the classical novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on CCTV in China on 1 October 1986. The series became an instant classic in China and is still being praised as the best and most authentic interpretation of the novel. Unadapted portions of the original story were later covered in the second season, which was released in 1999.