''Journey to the West'' is a Chinese television series adapted from the 16th-century novel of the same title. Production for the 66 episodes long series started on 12 September 2009, and it was first broadcast in mainland China on 28 July 2011 on TVS. The series was produced by

Zhang Jizhong Zhang Jizhong (born May 23, 1951) is a Chinese film producer, director, teacher, and writer. He is known as one of the more prominent television producers in China. His best known productions include the CCTV adaptations of the Four Great Class ...

Zhang Jizhong to remake 'Journey to the West'
/ref> and was released a year later than another television series of the same title (broadcast on Zhejiang Satellite TV), but with a different cast and crew.

Cast

Main cast

* Wu Yue as Sun Wukong *

Nie Yuan Nie Yuan (born 17 March 1978) is a Chinese actor best known for his numerous television performances, some of his more notable roles include: Hu Fei in '' Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain'' (2006); Li Ke in ''Carol of Zhenguan'' (2007); Zhao ...

Tang Sanzang Tang Sanzang () is a central character in the 16th century novel ''Journey to the West'' by Wu Cheng'en. Tang Sanzang is based on the historical Buddhist monk Xuanzang. He is also widely known by his courtesy name, Tang Seng, () or Sanzang (). ...

* Zang Jinsheng as

Zhu Bajie Zhu Bajie (), also named Zhu Wuneng, is one of the three helpers of Tang Sanzang and a major character of the 16th century novel ''Journey to the West''. Zhu means " swine" and Bajie means " eight precepts". Buddhist scholars consider that both e ...

* Elvis Tsui as

Sha Wujing Sha Wujing () is one of the three disciples of the Buddhist pilgrim Tang Sanzang in the 16th century novel ''Journey to the West'' written by Wu Cheng'en in the Ming dynasty, although versions of his character predate the Ming novel. In the sour ...

* Qian Yongchen as

White Dragon Horse The White Dragon Horse, known as Bai Long Ma () in Chinese, is one of the main characters in the 16th-century Chinese novel ''Journey to the West''. He is Tang Sanzang's steed who later became Babu Tianlong Guangli Bodhisattva (八部天龙广力� ...

Other cast

: ''Note: Some cast members played multiple roles.'' * Ma Jingwu as Subhuti *

Taishang Laojun Daode Tianzun (), also known as Taishang Laojun () is a high Taoist god. He is the Taiqing (太清, lit. the Grand Pure One) which is one of the Three Pure Ones, the highest divinities of Taoism. Laozi is regarded to be a manifestation of Daode ...

Wei Zi Wei Zi (; born January 1956) is a Chinese film and television actor. Early life Born and raised in Ningxia, he was originally named Wang Wei (). Education He graduated from the Ningxia College of Art in 1978 and was assigned to the Ningxia Repe ...

as Jade Emperor * Wang Huichun as

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...

* Liu Tao as

Guanyin Guanyin () is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara ( sa, अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion. She ...

(holding a willow branch) * Liang Li as

(holding a fish basket) * Stephanie Hsiao as Thousand Armed

* TAE as

Avalokiteśvara In Buddhism, Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर, IPA: ) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He has 108 avatars, one notable avatar being Padmapāṇi (lotus bearer). He is variably depicted, ...

(

's male form) * Yang Xiaolin as

's female form * Tong Chun-chung as

Emperor Taizong of Tang Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

Feng Shaofeng Feng Shaofeng (, born October 7, 1978), also known as William Feng, is a Chinese actor. Feng rose to fame with the hit time travel series ''Palace'' (2011). He was ranked 33rd on 2012's Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. He won the Hundred Flowers A ...

Erlang Shen Erlang Shen () or Erlang, also known as the Lord of Sichuan (), is a Chinese god with a third truth-seeing eye in the middle of his forehead. Erlang Shen may be a deified version of several semi-mythical folk heroes who helped regulate China ...

* He Zhuoyan as Golden Nosed Albino Rat Spirit *

Chen Zhihui Chen Zhihui is a Chinese actor best known for playing supporting roles in various films and television series since the 1980s. Some of his more notable roles in film include: Master Chin in '' Jet Li's Fearless'' (2006); Zhang Fei in '' Three Ki ...

as Bull Demon King * Hu Ke as

Princess Iron Fan Princess Iron Fan () is a character from the 16th century Chinese novel ''Journey to the West''. She is the wife of the Bull Demon King and mother of Red Boy. She is one of the most popular ''Journey to the West'' villains, alongside her husband ...

* Yan Danchen as Baihuaxiu * You Yong as King of Baoxiang * Shu Chang as Ruler of Women's Kingdom * He Jiayi as Royal Advisor of Women's Kingdom *

Ady An An Yi-xuan (; born 吳玟靜 on 29 September 1980), also known as Ady An, is a Taiwanese actress and singer who was discovered when she was working in a coffee shop. Born on September 29, 1980, she also is known as Audrey An and Wu Wen Ching. A ...

White Bone Demon Baigujing () is a demon from the 16th century novel ''Journey to the West''. The name is translated into English as ''White Bone Spirit'' in the William John Francis Jenner translation. Baigujing is a shapeshifting demoness, and in her true form s ...

* Zhang Meng as Lady of Wansheng Palace * Jessey Meng as Black Spider Demon * Ma Li as

Queen Mother of the West The Queen Mother of the West, known by various local names, is a mother goddess in Chinese religion and mythology, also worshipped in neighbouring Asian countries, and attested from ancient times. From her name alone some of her most importan ...

* Yang Niansheng as

Wei Zheng Wei Zheng (580–643), courtesy name Xuancheng, posthumously known as Duke Wenzhen of Zheng, was a Chinese politician and historian. He served as a chancellor of the Tang dynasty for about 13 years during the reign of Emperor Taizong. He was al ...

Taibai Jinxing Taibai Jinxing () is a deity in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. He is the son of Bai Di, the White Emperor, and his name means 'Evening Star'. The Fengshen Yanyi refers to him as an aide in the entourage of the Jade Emperor. In Chinese astr ...

* Zhao Yi as Li Jing * Yang Guang as Chang'e * Ma Ruihao, Ma Ruihan as

Nezha Nezha ( 哪吒) is a protection deity in Chinese folk religion. His official Taoist name is "Marshal of the Central Altar" (). He was then given the title "Third Lotus Prince" () after he became a deity. Origins According to Meir Shahar, Nez ...

* Zhao Lixin as Immortal Zhenyuan * Lu Xiaotian as Qingfeng * Liu Zenghui as Mingyue * Su Gang, Zhu Pengcheng, Li Zhonghua as

Fu Lu Shou The Sanxing () are the gods of the three stars or constellations considered essential in Chinese astrology and mythology: Jupiter, Ursa Major, and Canopus. Fu, Lu, and Shou (), or Cai, Zi and Shou () are also the embodiments of Fortune ( Fu), pr ...

* Hong Zilin as Mao Nü * ''Miao Ya Ning'' as

Red Boy Red Boy (; vi, Hồng Hài Nhi, ja, Kōgaiji) was a character featured in the 16th century novel ''Journey to the West''. Red Boy was also known as the Boy Sage Great King (聖嬰大王), and was the son of Princess Iron Fan and the Bull Dem ...

* Qin Ziyue as Jade Faced Vixen * Cheng Haofeng as Yellow Robe Demon * Wu Wenjun as Yellow Robe Demon's son * Sun Yufan as Yellow Robe Demon's daughter * Zhao Wenqi as Scorpion Demon * Zhang Hengping as Evil priest, Guzhi Gong,

Dragon King of the South Sea The Dragon King, also known as the Dragon God, is a Chinese water and weather god. He is regarded as the dispenser of rain, commanding over all bodies of water. He is the collective personification of the ancient concept of the '' lóng'' in C ...

, Long Armed Ape Monkey * Hu'erxide as Queen of Wuji * Zhang Chunzhong as Abbot of Baolin Monastery, Yellow Wind Demon * Hou Yueqiu as Immortal of Antelope Power * Li Tai as Nine Headed Bug * Su An as Almond Immortal * Li Qiang as Naked Demon * Zhao Qiang as King of the Southern Hill, Fire Tiger of

Tail The tail is the section at the rear end of certain kinds of animals’ bodies; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammal ...

, Gao Cai, Meticulous Devil * Xi Xianfeng as King of Heat Protection * Pan Yanfei as Blue Spider Demon * Huang Yiwen as Purple Spider Demon * Lin Ketong as Yellow Spider Demon * Wang Yirong as Orange Spider Demon * Zhang Lisha as Red Spider Demon * Chen Jinjin as Blue Dress Fairy * Liu Jing as Purple Dress Fairy * Wang Xinzi as Queen of Biqiu (White Faced Vixen) * Gu Xuan as Fake Princess of India ( Jade Rabbit) * Jing Gangshan as Manjusri * Ma Lun as Barefoot Immortal * Li Yuan as Virūḍhaka, Golden Dragon of Neck * Sheng Yang as

Dhṛtarāṣṭra Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Sanskrit; Pali: ''Dhataraṭṭha'') is a major deity in Buddhism and one of the Four Heavenly Kings. His name means "Upholder of the Nation." Names The name ''Dhṛtarāṣṭra'' is a Sanskrit compound of the words ''dhṛ ...

* Fu Yunzhao as Vaiśravaṇa * Jia Zongchao as Virūpākṣa * Shi Lei as Golden Furnace Boy * Sun Xinyu as Silver Furnace Boy * Ma Zijun as Reverend Wuchao, Wansheng Dragon King * Wang Jianguo as

Dragon King of the East Sea Ao Guang (; or ) is the Dragon King of the East Sea in Chinese folklore. He featured prominently in different works including ''Fengshen Yanyi'' and ''Journey to the West''. ''Fengshen Yanyi'' According to the ''Fengshen Yanyi'', after the passa ...

, Sai

Tai Sui Tai Sui is a Chinese term for the stars directly opposite the planet Jupiter ( ''Mùxīng'') during its roughly 12-year orbital cycle. Personified as deities, they are important features of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Taoism, and Chinese Bud ...

, old monk * Zhou Xiaobin as Dragon King of the West Sea, Hundred Eyed Demon Lord (Centipede Demon) * Jia Shitou as Grand Saint of Nine Spirits (Nine Headed Lion),

Juling Shen Juling Shen () is a gigantic river god in Chinese mythology. He is usually associated with the Yellow River. Splitting Mount Hua It is said that Juling Shen split Mount Hua into two halves with his hands and feet so that the Yellow River coul ...

* Li Dan as Duke of Thunder * Zhang Chunyan as Mother of Lightning * Wang Lele as Granny of Wind * Yuan Li as Cloud Pushing Boy * Mu Jianrong as Wood Dragon of Horn * Lian Yuxuan as Fire Tiger of

* Su Mao as Lingji Bodhisattva * Xiaomao as King of Spiritual Touch * Qi Daji as Spotted Fish * Pengcuo Zhaxi as Abbot of Zhenhai Monastery * Wu Wenyu as Boy from Biqiu * Chen Shaping as Squire Gao, Mountain Deity * Mo Xiaofeng as Gao Cuilan * Yin Pingzhi, Zhang Xueying, Wu Yajing as Gao family maids * Ma Yuxi as Tang imperial consort * Li Shuang, Zhang Shen as

Earth Deities Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surface ...

* Qu Dalei as one of the Six Saints of Mount Mei * Liu Bing as Witty Bug * Gao Zhao as White Guard of Impermanence * Hu Shaolong as Black Guard of Impermanence * Bian Qiuwei, Han Biao, Song Lifeng, Zhu Qingmin as strongmen in Peach Garden * Yu Zhenhuan as Red Bottomed Horse Monkey * Chen Manzi as Water Star * Zhao Guixiang as

Zhang Daoling Zhang Ling (; traditionally 34–156), courtesy name Fuhan (), was a Chinese religious leader who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty credited with founding the Way of the Celestial Masters sect of Taoism, which is also known as the Way of the ...

* Bai Hailong as Wood Star * Ji Xiaolong as Gentleman of Mist * Wang Xiaoming as Hui'an * Song Songlin as Samantabhadra * Xu Hongzhou as Ksitigarbha * Gao Yuanfeng as Ananda * Wang Ruihong as

Lishan Laomu Líshān Lǎomǔ () is the goddess of Mount Li in Chinese religion. She is a popular female immortal in the Taoist pantheon, and a high-ranking one according to some late sources. Her origins are said to derive from Nü Wa, the legendary creat ...

* Huang Xingbei as Six Eared Macaque * Bahatiya'er Aizezi as King of Jisai * Zhou Gang as Maitreya * Alipu Aitanmu as King of Zhuzi * Liu Zhengliang as Immortal Ziyang * Wu Yanshu as Pilanpo Bodhisattva * Shi Hengliang as Sun Rooster of Hairy Head * Yibulayimu Paha'erding as King of Biqiu * Shadike Shata'er as Royal father-in-law of Biqiu (White Deer Spirit) * Yasheng Maimaiti as King of Miefa * Gulibaha'er Abudureheman as Queen of Miefa * Ayiguzhali Abuduwayiti as Royal consort of Miefa * Gulijiamali Maimaitiniyazi as Widow Zhao * Nijiati Niyazi as King of India * Reyihanguli Keranmu as Queen of India * Kalibinu'er Keyimu as Princess of India

Music

The lyrics of the opening theme song, performed by Yang Xiaolin, are taken from the

mantra A mantra ( Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ...

of the Buddhist scripture '' Heart Sutra''. The ending theme song, sung by Dao Lang, is a remixed version of the 1986 television series ''

Journey to the West ''Journey to the West'' () is a Chinese novel published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty and attributed to Wu Cheng'en. It is regarded as one of the greatest Classic Chinese Novels, and has been described as arguably the most popul ...

s theme song, which was originally performed by

Jiang Dawei Jiang Dawei (born January 22, 1947) is a Chinese folk singer, best known for a number of hit songs such as the theme song for the 1986 TV series ''Journey to the West''. In 1968, he joined the Forest Trooper Art Troupe and began his singing car ...

References

Heading west with Journey to the West

External links