Just here to profess our love for 巧虎 (Qiǎo hǔ / clever tiger), an educational Chinese show for children!
Since we have subscribed for over 2 years, I wanted to update this post to share that my 5.5-year-old daughter is still a fan!
We first subscribed to the program when my daughter was 3 years old, and she was instantly a super fan. However, she went through a phase of a few months where she was tired of the content and interested in other things. Lately, she’s back to being excited about her 巧虎 activity books!
My 2.5-year-old son has enjoyed some of the 巧虎 resources, too!
Note: I have paid for our subscription and have received no compensation for this review. This review is based on the opinions of my family. For questions about subscribing, please scroll to the end of the post for pricing, contact information, and subscription forms in English and Chinese.
For reference, I first wrote this post in November 2017, and am updating it now in June 2019.
What is 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu)?
巧虎, also known as Qiaohu or Ciaohu, is a subscription-based program geared toward young children learning Chinese.
巧虎 originates from the Japanese anime program Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō. Franchises in China and Taiwan provide educational materials in Mandarin.
Like the popular American show Sesame Street, 巧虎 combines live action, animation, and mascots with music and dance.
However, 巧虎 is MUCH better and less annoying (sorry, I really can’t stand Elmo’s voice)!
Our experience with 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu)
Due to the negative effects of excess screen-time, we allow limited television for my children to have Chinese language and cultural exposure. My children watch 巧虎 a few times each month, but they use the workbooks much more often.
Why is 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) so great?
Let me count the ways!
1. 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) is easy to understand
Children learning Chinese need exposure to native Mandarin speakers.
Compared to other popular shows dubbed in Mandarin, the speech is clear and relatively slow. As a result, young children and non-fluent adults like myself can hear each word.
In addition, Ciaohu features real people on the show, so your child can see children and adults speaking native Mandarin. This is important compared to popular children’s shows which only have cartoon characters.
7. 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) taught my daughter how to read traditional Chinese
Since the workbooks corresponds with the dialogue and song lyrics are provided, children can follow along with the DVD.
Also, DVD subtitles are provided.
Because of this show, my daughter has been excited about reading as shown in this video!
8. 巧虎 (Qiaohu) toys & games motivate kids to speak Chinese
Since the toys and games reinforce topics from the DVD and workbooks, kids are naturally motivated to speak Chinese and apply new lessons through pretend play.
Please note that the amount of toys became overwhelming over time for our family, and we have donated most of the toys we have received from our monthly packages.
From the above images, we have kept only the ice cream set and the magnetic fishing game.
成長版 Grow edition activities
Dinosaur card game with paper dinosaurs
My children have been a huge fan of this interactive dinosaur game!
9. 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) reminds you not to watch too much TV
At the start of each show, 巧虎 tells you sit far back and limit your screen time.
My toddler obediently turns it off at the end of each show. Yes, it’s really too good to be true!
10. 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) DVDs are compatible with American DVD players
In contrast to many overseas videos, the 巧虎 DVDs should work in your regular DVD player.
As a result, you don’t have to worry about changing the region code or getting a region-free DVD player!
Downsides of 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu)
To be fair, like anything in this world, 巧虎 is not perfect. These are the aspects of the program that I dislike:
1. Plastic toys
Most of the toys are plastic, and I wish they were eco-friendly. Since we try to live minimally, we end up donating most of the toys.
The clutter really accumulates. After being long-term subscribers, I wish there was an option to order the DVDs and workbooks without the extra toys/games.
2. Overly busy images
Like most Chinese learning materials, many pages of the workbooks are overly cartoonified and have too many colors that can distract from important teaching concepts.
For example, the clock teaching workbook came with an interactive paper clock that my daughter put together independently. My daughter learned how to tell time from various hands-on activities that I created.
However, for a child who has not yet previously learned this skill, you can see in the image below many competing visual elements.
3. 巧虎 Simplified Chinese version is not easily accessible in the United States
China’s 巧虎 program uses Simplified Chinese: http://www.qiaohu.com/. However, they deliver within China, so you have to know someone who lives there and can receive and then mail the package to you.
Taiwan’s 巧虎 program uses Traditional Chinese: http://www.ciaohu.com/. This program is available for US families through their office in Garden Grove, California.
4. English code-mixing:
Occasionally, English is used since English is gradually introduced to Taiwanese children around age 4-5.
This is a downside for our family since we use 巧虎 as a Chinese immersion resource at home. Fortunately, most of the materials are in Chinese however.
Learning traditional Chinese with 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu)
Although we are mainly learning simplified Chinese, we are using 巧虎 to ramp up my kids’ enthusiasm about Chinese learning and immerse them in native Mandarin.
My daughter also learned to read many traditional Chinese characters through
Even if you’re not planning on teaching simplified and traditional Chinese, I think 巧虎 does a great job of providing exposure in an engaging way.
Cost of 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu) subscription
For the year of 2017-2018, in the United States, a monthly subscription for 6 issues cost $175 USD ($29/month); 12 issues costs $322 USD (~$27/month).
This cost includes free air freight shipping from Taiwan.
The cost of subscription to other countries are as follows:
China, Hong Kong:
Half-year: $155
Full-year: $290
Asia, Austrailia, New Zealand
Half-year: $171
Full-year: $320
Europe, Central, and South America
Half-year: $188
Full-year: $345
North America
Half-year: $188
Full-year: $345
Please note that the above pricing is subject to change and that you should contact the company to verify current rates!
巧虎 Ciaohu contact information
Apex Brilliant Child Development Inc.
Tel: 714-888-5190
Fax: 714-265-3630
Fax: 714-265-3630
Email: nicole@ciaohu.com, joyce@ciaohu.com
Ciaohu versus Qiaohu
Since the Ciaohu website uses traditional Chinese, and Pinyin is not used in Taiwan, the phonetic translation for 巧虎 is spelled with a “c” instead of “q”.
If you Google “Qiaohu”, the results are for the mainland China version, not the Taiwan version.
However, if you have questions and cannot read the website, call the Ciaohu office! They usually respond quickly to my questions
Ciaohu subscription forms
You can use the following forms to subscribe to Ciaohu. Please let them know that we referred you!
Hi, This looks perfect for my kids to learn Chinese. I love that’s in traditional characters too. Thanks for the info/tips! I’ll start with the YouTube QiaoHu for now and see if it’s captures their attention. Good luck with learning Chinese at home. 🙂 Jennifer
Hello! This has been the most helpful thing I’ve seen on the internet on how to get ciaohu DVDs! Thank you! Would you happen to know at which subscription age they introduce zhuyin? My son is currently learning zhuyin and I’d love to use these to help reinforce what he’s learning in class. Love from a fellow physician mom 🙂
Hi Dr. Nancy! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by! I’m so sorry for just seeing your comment now! I have updated the post with this information: – 成長版 Grow edition (Zhuyin is introduced) – 學習版 Learn edition (Pinyin is introduced) Ciaohu generally responds quickly to questions via email and phone though! I hope that you were able to get in touch with them!
Hi Eliza! Check the “downsides” section of the article. I put a link to the SC version which I think is only available in China. If you have family/friends in China, you could have it delivered to them, and then they could ship it to you…
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Jennifer says
Hi,
This looks perfect for my kids to learn Chinese. I love that’s in traditional characters too.
Thanks for the info/tips!
I’ll start with the YouTube QiaoHu for now and see if it’s captures their attention.
Good luck with learning Chinese at home. 🙂
Jennifer
Betty says
Hope your kids enjoy learning from Qiaohu!
Nancy says
Hello! This has been the most helpful thing I’ve seen on the internet on how to get ciaohu DVDs! Thank you!
Would you happen to know at which subscription age they introduce zhuyin? My son is currently learning zhuyin and I’d love to use these to help reinforce what he’s learning in class. Love from a fellow physician mom 🙂
Betty says
Hi Dr. Nancy! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by! I’m so sorry for just seeing your comment now! I have updated the post with this information:
– 成長版 Grow edition (Zhuyin is introduced)
– 學習版 Learn edition (Pinyin is introduced)
Ciaohu generally responds quickly to questions via email and phone though! I hope that you were able to get in touch with them!
Eliza says
Hey Betty,
Do you know how I can get the simplified chinese version? I can’t seem to find it even when I search qiaohu or ‘巧虎‘.
Thanks!
Betty Choi says
Hi Eliza! Check the “downsides” section of the article. I put a link to the SC version which I think is only available in China. If you have family/friends in China, you could have it delivered to them, and then they could ship it to you…