BBC documentary on Chinese New Year goes viral in China

A screen shot of the BBC documentary series Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth.

The BBC documentary series Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth has been watched over 12 million times on two of China's major video websites, since it was released in the country on Feb 29.

The China-United Kingdom co-production profiles Chinese New Year across three episodes -- Migration, Reunion and Celebration.

The film crew shot at ten different locations in the run up to the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which this year fell on Feb 8. Filming concluded on Feb 9, the second day of the lunar new year.

The series has been praised by Chinese both home and abroad.

"I welled up when I watched it," said "Wuliao" on Tencent. "This series made me even prouder to be Chinese, and made me feel homesick."

Many were impressed by the planning that had gone into the documentary. "They went to so many places, and really painted a detailed picture of the festivities, which made the scenes all the more touching," according to "Maomaochong" on Tencent.

The series was released in the United Kingdom on Feb 14 on BBC Two, and was a hit with Britons.

"I've been there and done that in 2007 and 2008," Mike Chico Bates spoke highly of the series on Facebook, "It was an amazing experience, and the TV show is amazing!"

Josefa Merino from London enjoyed the documentary as well. "Loved every minute of it."

The Spring Festival is the most important occasion for family reunions in China and is celebrated with traditional activities.