Journey to the West

Journey to the West

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.

DramaAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy

Seasons

The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon

10. 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.

Wukong Nears Death

11. 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.

Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment

12. 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.

Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed

13. 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.

Wukong Is Expelled by His Master

14. 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.

The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated

15. 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.

Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain

16. 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.

Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself

17. 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.

Wukong Bets with the Three Demons

18. 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.

The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed

19. 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.

Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits

20. 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.

Shishi’s Past Love Story

21. 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.

En’en Falls in Love with Wukong

22. 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.

Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used

23. 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.

The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang

24. 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.

En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love

25. 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.

Tang Sanzang Collapses

26. 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.

Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen

27. 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.

The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant

28. 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.

Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?

29. 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.

Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger

30. 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.

Episode 1

1. Episode 1

Air Date: 1998-10-26

Episode 2

2. Episode 2

Air Date: 1998-10-27

Episode 3

3. Episode 3

Air Date: 1998-10-28

Episode 4

4. Episode 4

Air Date: 1998-10-29

Episode 5

5. Episode 5

Air Date: 1998-10-30

Episode 6

6. Episode 6

Air Date: 1998-11-02

Episode 7

7. Episode 7

Air Date: 1998-11-03

Episode 8

8. Episode 8

Air Date: 1998-11-04

Episode 9

9. Episode 9

Air Date: 1998-11-05

Episode 10

10. Episode 10

Air Date: 1998-11-06

Episode 11

11. Episode 11

Air Date: 1998-11-09

Episode 12

12. Episode 12

Air Date: 1998-11-10

Episode 13

13. Episode 13

Air Date: 1998-11-11

Episode 14

14. Episode 14

Air Date: 1998-11-12

Episode 15

15. Episode 15

Air Date: 1998-11-13

Episode 16

16. Episode 16

Air Date: 1998-11-16

Episode 17

17. Episode 17

Air Date: 1998-11-17

Episode 18

18. Episode 18

Air Date: 1998-11-18

Episode 19

19. Episode 19

Air Date: 1998-11-19

Episode 20

20. Episode 20

Air Date: 1998-11-20

Episode 21

21. Episode 21

Air Date: 1998-11-23

Episode 22

22. Episode 22

Air Date: 1998-11-24

Episode 23

23. Episode 23

Air Date: 1998-11-25

Episode 24

24. Episode 24

Air Date: 1998-11-26

Episode 25

25. Episode 25

Air Date: 1998-11-27

Episode 26

26. Episode 26

Air Date: 1998-11-30

Episode 27

27. Episode 27

Air Date: 1998-12-01

Episode 28

28. Episode 28

Air Date: 1998-12-02

Episode 29

29. Episode 29

Air Date: 1998-12-03

Episode 30

30. Episode 30

Air Date: 1998-12-04

Episode 31

31. Episode 31

Air Date: 1998-12-07

Episode 32

32. Episode 32

Air Date: 1998-12-08

Episode 33

33. Episode 33

Air Date: 1998-12-09

Episode 34

34. Episode 34

Air Date: 1998-12-10

Episode 35

35. Episode 35

Air Date: 1998-12-11

Episode 36

36. Episode 36

Air Date: 1998-12-14

Episode 37

37. Episode 37

Air Date: 1998-12-15

Episode 38

38. Episode 38

Air Date: 1998-12-16

Episode 39

39. Episode 39

Air Date: 1998-12-17

Episode 40

40. Episode 40

Air Date: 1998-12-18

Episode 41

41. Episode 41

Air Date: 1998-12-21

Episode 42

42. Episode 42

Air Date: 1998-12-22

Select an episode to start watching

Rating

7.5/10

Release Date

1996-11-18

Episodes

72 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Production Companies

TVB

TVB