Journey to the West (1996)

Season 1

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.

Released Nov. 18, 1996 Episode 46 min None+

Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Keywords: imdb.based-on-novel, imdb.sun-wukong-the-monkey-king-character, imdb.magic, imdb.buddha, imdb.chinese, tmdb.martial-arts, tmdb.epic + 13 more, tmdb.based-on-myths-legends-or-folklore, tmdb.costume-drama, tmdb.fantasy, imdb.hong-kong-drama, imdb.chinese-mythology, imdb.journey-to-the-west, imdb.literature-on-screen, imdb.live-action-adaptation, imdb.chinese-literature-on-screen, imdb.monkey-king, imdb.hong-kong-comedy, imdb.hong-kong-fantasy-comedy, imdb.hong-kong-tv-series

Watch Providers: Tubi TV

Production Companies: TVB

Network: TVB Jade

Country: Hong Kong
Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin

IMDb

7.9

/455/

Trakt

/35/

TMDb

/13/

Lau Sze-Yu
Director

Kwong Wa
Tang Sanzang

Wayne Lai Yiu-Cheung
Zhu Bajie

Evergreen Mak Cheung-Ching
Sha Wujing

Joe Ma Tak-Chung

Mimi Lo

Cindy Au

Benny Chan Ho-Man
Sun Wukong

Ken Lok Tat-Wah

10.0

S1E1 - The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock

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.

Nov. 18, 1996, midnight

S1E2 - Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e

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.

Nov. 19, 1996, midnight

S1E3 - Wukong’s Death Approaches

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.

Nov. 20, 1996, midnight

S1E4 - Wukong Is Punished

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.

Nov. 21, 1996, midnight

S1E5 - Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain

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

Nov. 22, 1996, midnight

S1E6 - Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts

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.

Nov. 25, 1996, midnight

S1E7 - Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples

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.

Nov. 26, 1996, midnight

S1E8 - Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan

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.

Nov. 27, 1996, midnight

S1E9 - The Dream Demon Causes Trouble

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.

Nov. 28, 1996, midnight

S1E10 - Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon

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.

Nov. 29, 1996, midnight

S1E11 - Wukong Nears Death

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.

Dec. 2, 1996, midnight

S1E12 - Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment

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

Dec. 3, 1996, midnight

S1E13 - Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed

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.

Dec. 4, 1996, midnight

S1E14 - Wukong Is Expelled by His Master

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.

Dec. 5, 1996, midnight

S1E15 - The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated

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.

Dec. 6, 1996, midnight

S1E16 - Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain

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.

Dec. 9, 1996, midnight

S1E17 - Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself

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.

Dec. 10, 1996, midnight

S1E18 - Wukong Bets with the Three Demons

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.

Dec. 11, 1996, midnight

S1E19 - The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed

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.

Dec. 12, 1996, midnight

S1E20 - Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits

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

Dec. 13, 1996, midnight

S1E21 - Shishi’s Past Love Story

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.

Dec. 16, 1996, midnight

S1E22 - En’en Falls in Love with Wukong

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

Dec. 17, 1996, midnight

S1E23 - Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used

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

Dec. 18, 1996, midnight

S1E24 - The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang

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.

Dec. 19, 1996, midnight

S1E25 - En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love

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

Dec. 20, 1996, midnight

S1E26 - Tang Sanzang Collapses

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.

Dec. 23, 1996, midnight

S1E27 - Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen

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.

Dec. 24, 1996, midnight