Born to Be Alive (Chinese: 生命树; pinyin: Shéng Ming Shu) is a 2026 Chinese television series directed by Li Xue and produced by Daylight Entertainment. Based on true events, the series is set in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in the 1990s and stars Yang Zi, Hu Ge, Li Guangjie, Mei Ting and Zhang Zhehua. It premiered on CCTV-8 and iQiyi on 30 January and ended its run on 19 February 2026.
The series emerged as a major critical success and received widespread acclaim for the performances of the actors, musical numbers and cinematography. It went on to receive numerous accolades, including eight nominations at the 31st Shanghai Television Festival, winning Best Director (Li Xue) and Best Actress (Yang Zi), and seven nominations at the 33rd China TV Golden Eagle Awards.
Contents
Plot
The series is set in a fictional Mazhi county of Qinghai province in 1996. The poor region heavily relied upon agriculture and animal husbandry. The deputy county head of Mazhi county Duo Jie (played by Hu Ge) established a mountain patrol team with the support of the county head Lin Peisheng (played by Li Guangjie) to alleviate poverty and help people improve their livelihood as the surrounding Bolamula plateau was rich in minerals and wildlife resources. But after witnessing illegal mining and rampant poaching of the Tibetan antelope, the mountain patrol team shifted their focus on environmental protection.
Bai Ju (played by Yang Zi), a policewoman who was transferred to the mountain patrol team, became in charge of logistics and escorting poachers. She is an orphan adopted by Zhang Qinqin (played by Mei Ting), a doctor who came to Tibet as part of a medical aid program. With her exceptional sharpshooting skill, Bai Ju quickly becomes a key member of the patrol team. After experiencing many dangerous situation together, she forms close friendship with the members of the team and falls in love with Shao Yunfei (played by Zhang Zhehua), a newspaper reporter who documents the anti-poaching operations of the patrol team. The team work together to establish a nature reserve. But before it is completed Duo Jie disappears and the mountain patrol team gets disbanded. Bai Ju leaves the plateau but returns after 10 years reuniting with the old friends and investigates the disappearance of Duo Jie.
Cast
Main cast
Yang Zi as Bai Ju
A young policewoman and a member of the mountain petrol team. After her parent's death, she was adopted by Zhang Qinqin. She is resolute, brave and quickly becomes a key member of the patrol team in the anti-poaching effort of Tibetan antelope. After the patrol team disbands, she leaves the plateau. But returns after 10 years to investigate the cause of Duo Jie's disappearance. She marries Shao Yunfei after falling in love with him.
Hu Ge as Duo Jie
Deputy county head of Mazhi County and the founder and captain of the mountain patrol team. The team was founded to help improve local livelihood but later they focused on environmental protection. He led the patrol team in establishing a nature reserve but disappeared suddenly which led to the team's disbandment.
Li Guangjie as Lin Peisheng
County head of Mazhi County and is dedicated to improve local livelihood. He supported Duo Jie's mountain patrol team initially. But after the team's focus shifted to ecological protection, he proposed to disband it.
Mei Ting as Zhang Qinqin
A doctor sent to Tibet as part of a medical aid program. She is the adopted mother of Bai Ju.
Zhang Zhehua as Shao Yunfei
A newspaper reporter. He documents the anti-poaching operations of the mountain patrol team. He marries Bai Ju after falling in love with her.
Supporting cast
Yuan Hong as Meng Yaohui
Yang Shuo as Li Yongqiang
Member of mountain patrol team.
Zhou You as Bai Chun
A military officer. Adoptive older brother of Bai Ju. He is in love with Bai Ju.
Jinpa as Zha Cuo
Member of mountain patrol team.
Feng Bing as Han Xuechao
Member of mountain patrol team.
Geng Dan as Sang Ba
Member of mountain patrol team.
Su Xin as He Qingyuan
Member of mountain patrol team.
Caiding Zhaxi as Dong Zhiba
Member of mountain patrol team.
Gama Wenjia as Zhang Yang
Member of mountain patrol team.
Xu Aojun as Xiao Liu
Member of mountain patrol team.
Dunzhu Ciren as Jiu Mei
Member of mountain patrol team.
Zhou Fang as Bai Shao
Zhang Qinqin's daughter. Adoptive sister of Bai Ju.
Production
Born to Be Alive is based on true events. The production team worked for eight years before the drama finally went on to making. The creative team began collecting materials in 2019 and started writing the script. The character Duo Jie is based on two real life hero of anti-poaching operation in Tibetan plateau Jiesang Sonam Dajie and Qika Zhaba Duojie. To ensure authenticity, the production team went to Hoh Xil many times to gather materials. They interviewed former patrol members, Sonam Dajie's relatives and friends. Dr Zhang Qinqin is based on Han Mei, a doctor at the People's Hospital of Golmud City, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.
Filming
The series officially began filming on 3 May 2025 in Delingha, Qinghai. They later filmed in Golmud and Hoh Xil. After 188 days, the series finished filming on 31 October 2025.
Reception
Born to Be Alive achieved high ratings and critical acclaim since its premiere. By the end of its broadcast, it achieved an average rating of 1.37% and a market share of 7.02%, reaching 1.07 billion cumulative audience. Its total viewership reached 182 million, ranking first among evening dramas on satellite channels nationwide. It received a 8.4 rating on Douban. It has been broadcast on several other satellite channels.
Impact
The popularity of Born to Be Alive boosted the tourism in Qinghai. During the spring festival holiday, the filming locations of the series Delingha and Golmud attracted lots of visitors. Offline public welfare activities were initiated, encouraging people to donate. The main leads of the series Yang Zi and Hu Ge were appointed as "Qinghai Ecological and Cultural Ambassadors". The Ministry of Ecology and Environment also appointed Yang Zi as the Special Observer for Ecological and Environmental Protection.
The vice-governor of Qinghai Liu Tao wrote a letter to the cast and crew of the series thanking them. A symposium on Born to Be Alive was held by the National Radio and Television Administration in Beijing with the Ministry of Public Security participating. The National Natural History Museum of China displayed an exhibition co-created by the series and the museum.