The Amazing Race China 4

The Amazing Race China 4 (Chinese: 极速前进第四季) is the fourth season of the Chinese reality competition show The Amazing Race China (Chinese: 极速前进; pinyin: Jísù Qiánjìn). Based on the American reality TV series The Amazing Race, it featured eight teams of two in a race around Eurasia. This season visited two continents and six countries and traveled over 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) during ten legs. Starting in Hong Kong, racers travelled through Denmark, Sweden, Anhui, Singapore, Vietnam, Guangdong, Macau, Malaysia, and Shanghai before finishing in Chuzhou. By-Health left as the main sponsor, with HeiHeiRu becoming the main sponsor for this season. The season premiered on Shenzhen TV on August 4, 2017. The season finale aired on October 6.
Married couple Jia Jingwen and Xiu Jiekai were the winners of this season, while partners Zheng Yuancheng and Wang Likun finished second, and married couple Wu Minxia and Zhang Xiaocheng finished third.
Following the last season using Summer Olympics as a theme, this season used "Treasure Hunt" as the theme. Each leg was given a corresponding theme and the racecourse task would mostly focus on that theme. Each team would get a "treasure" (a toy or a prop) during legs after completing various tasks. The "treasure" would help the teams on finishing the rest of the leg (usually revealing the location of the Pit Stop). At the Pit Stop, each team received another "treasure" from the greeters, which represented the leg theme or the location's culture.
Similar to the recent Canadian and American versions, the Express Pass was given as an optional prize during Leg 1, rather than it being a definite award for a first-place finish on the leg.
An initial press release for the show claimed that the season would visit Mumbai, India, Tel Aviv, Israel and Colombo, Sri Lanka. However, once filming started, these destinations were replaced with Hefei, Macau and Kuala Lumpur.
During the Leg 1 Pit Stop in Hong Kong, teams made a handprint in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong.
This is also the first time in the celebrity series where a team had to voluntarily quit the show, as Zhang Jike sustained an injury during Leg 6, though he and Zhang Chuanming still participated in the tasks until the Detour in Leg 7 along with the other teams. However, unlike the usual versions where the host came out on the location to inform them of their elimination, this celebrity version did not see Allan coming out to the racecourse to declare elimination in front of that team, and the results were announced after the episode ended.
Although the Finish Line was inside China, none of the eliminated teams were present at the Finish Line like the previous season.
Heiheiru replaced By-Health as the show's main sponsor. Similar to the previous season, the Heiheiru drinks were provided for teams as their energy supplements during the leg, as well as the top three teams of the leg. Eastroc Super Drink returned to sponsor and it could still pick up their drinks as energy supplements during the leg. TMall also sponsored the preview episode, replacing Centaine shampoo.
Similar to the last season, a preview episode was shown before the start of the episode.
Similar to the first three seasons, this season featured celebrities who were chosen to race on the show. The new cast featured former Olympic diver Wu Minxia, whose partner in the Olympics was Guo Jingjing one of the members of the winning team in the last season, and group members from SNH48 and VARSITY-V.
Lu Ting of SNH48 was unavailable at the time of taping of the first leg due to work commitments. Another SNH48 member and Season 3 racer, Huang Tingting, substituted Lu Ting to complete the entire leg. Zhang Jike & Zhang Chuanming were also unavailable on the same leg for the same reason, but were later joined along the other teams at the start of the second leg. As a result, Leg 1 was set as a special non-elimination leg, and the Speed Bump non-elimination penalty was absent in the next leg.
The following teams participated in the season, each listed along with their placements in each leg and relationships as identified by the program. Note that this table is not necessarily reflective of all content broadcast on television, owing to the inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:
Similar to the Israeli, Australian and Philippine versions, teams on the sixth leg voted for who should receive the U-Turn. The team received the most votes had to complete the other option of the Detour they did not select.
The prize awarded to the first place team for each leg was a one-year supply of Heiheiru drinks, with option to donate the supplies to the needy. Additional prizes were awarded as follows:
Airdate: 4 August 2017 Theme: 20th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong
This season's first Detour was a choice between 本草纲目 (Běncǎo Gāngmù – Compendium of Materia Medica) or 九章算术 (Jiǔ Zhāng Suànshù – The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Arts). In Compendium of Materia Medica, teams traveled to Ho Lun Jeng Gastro Pub, where they were given a sample of six different kinds of beers, each with two different ingredients used for brewing. Teams had to search among the drawers for the six that contains two ingredients and place the correct ingredients with the corresponding beers to receive their next clue from the bartender. In The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, teams made their way to Lascar Row located near Upper Lascar Street. There, teams were given a piggy bank containing 256 coins of different denominations. Using the exchange rate of eight different currencies as a reference, teams had to calculate the price conversion of HKD and write their workings onto a whiteboard. If teams provided the correct total, along with the distribution of coins onto the corresponding currencies, they would receive their next clue.
Airdate: 11 August 2017 Theme: Hans Christian Andersen
In this season's first Roadblock, one team member had to coordinate with ballet dancers to act out Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling. The selected team member had to change clothes within an allotted time and have his/her performance approved by the ballet teacher to receive their next clue and an alphabet letter.
This leg's Detour was a choice between 直线冲刺 (Zhíxiàn Chōngcì – Straight Sprint) or 拐弯抹角 (Guǎiwānmòjiǎo – Roundabouts). In Straight Sprint, teams participated in a round of kaninhop. Once the rabbits complete an obstacle course within a minute without hitting an obstacle, they would receive their next clue. In Roundabouts, teams had to make a traditional Danish dessert known as a kransekage to the confectioner's approval to receive their next clue.
In this leg's second Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to walk across a bridge 50 metres (160 ft) off the ground, ring a bell on the other side, then walk back across, all without touching the safety rope at any point, to receive their next clue.
Airdate: 18 August 2017 Theme: Vikings
For this season's first Face Off, one member of each participating team to grab a platter of food and a Heiheiru drink. The other person on the team with the heavier plate had to finish said plate within five minutes to get their next clue; otherwise, the opposing team would receive the next clue. The last losing team had to wait out a pre-determined time penalty before they could continue racing.
For their Speed Bump, Zhang Jike & Zhang Chuanming had to make 30 Swedish meatballs known as köttbular to the chef's approval before they could continue racing.
This leg's Detour was a choice between 维京战士 (Wéi Jīng Zhànshì – Viking Warrior) or 维京学士 (Wéi Jīng Xuéshì – Viking Scholar). In Viking Warrior, teams had to first saw off a piece of a log. Then, both team members had to toss an axe into the log slice to receive their next clue and a piece of the map. In Viking Scholar, teams had to pick up stones with runes written on them to spell out the Swedish proverb "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing" to receive their next clue and a piece of the treasure map. Each person could only carry two stones at a time.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to duel a person dressed as a Viking on boats and defeat the Viking by pushing him into the water to receive their next clue.
Airdate: 25 August 2017 Theme: Modern Stockholm/Christmas
This leg's Detour was a choice between 百里挑一 (Bǎilǐtiāoyī – Cream of the Crop) or 众里寻TA (Zhòng Lǐ Xún TA – Looking for Him/Her). In Cream of the Crop, teams made their way to the candy shop and search through Polkagris candies to find one with an Amazing Race flag inside the wrapper to receive their next clue and a bag of glass shards. Any candy they unwrapped had to be eaten either by themselves or by a local teams convinced. Only four teams could perform this Detour at a time. In Looking for Him/Her, teams had to search the entire museum for the four chairs that were signed by the former award recipients of the Nobel Prize based on a list written in Chinese they selected, write down the number on each chair, then relay their answers to a curator who would give them their next clue and a bag of glass shards.
For this leg's Face Off, one member from each competing team had to guide their partner who would try to solve a block-sliding puzzle/maze. Teams could reset their puzzle if they found their puzzle either too difficult to solve or has no more moves. The first team to reach the centre and grab the smartphone would win the Face Off and their next clue. The last losing team had to wait out a pre-determined time penalty before they could continue racing.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to use their bags of glass shards (given during the entire leg) to create a bauble using a glass-blowing technique. When the bauble was crafted to the craftsman's satisfaction, they would receive another bauble and their next clue. With only two workstations, only two racers could perform this Roadblock at a time.
Airdate: 1 September 2017 Theme: History, Culture and People of Hefei
In this leg's first Roadblock, both team members would get into a JAC Refine S7 which had all of its mirrors covered. One team member had to drive their vehicle in reverse through an obstacle course using only the vehicle's omnidirectional backup camera within five minutes to receive their next clue and a calligraphy brush.
For this leg's Face Off, teams chose a pair of local teammates to join them in a tug-of-war game on floating platforms in the lake. The game ended when the first player fell into the water. The winning team would be given the next clue and a calligraphy inkstone. The last losing team had to wait out a pre-determined time penalty before they could continue racing.
This leg's Detour was a choice between 一紙千金 (Yī Zhǐ Qiānjīn – A Valuable Paper) or 愿者上钓 (Yuàn Zhě Shàng Diào – Willing to Fish). In A Valuable Paper, teams used traditional methods to make three sheets of paper. In Willing to Fish, teams would enter a pond to catch 30 crawfish. At the end of each Detour, teams would be given their next clue and calligraphy paper.
In this leg's second Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to draw a scroll from a basket to determine their role they would play for a theatrical production of a classic historical Chinese film. They would dress up in full makeup and memorise the lines for the play (including the lyrics), which they would then perform on stage with an actor. When the judge was satisfied with their performance, teams would receive their next clue and a bottle of calligraphy ink.
Airdate: 8 September 2017 Theme: Culture diversity of Singapore
This leg's Detour was a choice between 金灿灿 (Jīncàncàn – Shiny Gold) or 红彤彤 (Hóngtōngtóng – Bright Red). In Shiny Gold, teams would put on a traditional Indian outfit and be weighed. They would then travel to nearby RST Jewellery and put on enough gold jewelry to raise their weight between 5 and 6 pounds (2.3-2.7 kg) to receive their next clue. In Bright Red, teams made their way to Lau Pa Sat where they had to work on Singapore's most popular dish of chilli crab. Teams had to crack open crab claws smothered in chilli sauce until they collected 500 grams (1.1 lb) of crabmeat to receive their next clue from the head chef.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member would put on a flight suit and enter a wind tunnel for a skydiving simulation, in which they had to perform a series of maneuvers to receive the next clue.
Airdate: 15 September 2017 Theme: Life of Ho Chi Minh City
For their Speed Bump, Zhang Jike & Zhang Chuanming had to go inside the Saigon Central Post Office and search through 1,500 postcards for the one addressed to them, which they would exchange for the next clue.
For this leg's Face Off, one team member from each team had to break open clay pots to retrieve patties of rice. From behind a designated line, they would throw each patty to their partner in a way that it soars over a brick ceiling beam, and the partner would catch it on a plate. Once ten were caught, they had to work together to eat one of the patties. The first team to fully finish their patty received their next clue, the losing team had to wait for the next opponent. The last team remaining would wait out a pre-determined time penalty.
This season's final Detour was a choice between 含情脉脉 (Hánqíng Mò Mài – Affection) or 喜氣洋洋 (Xǐqìyángyáng – Festive). In Affection, teams traveled to Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where they were given four wedding photographs to observe that were taken somewhere in the park. They then had to dress in traditional Vietnamese wedding attire and correctly recreate all four by convincing a local to take the photographs to receive their next clue. In Festive, teams traveled to In Khôi where, using provided materials and tools, they had to design six intricate wedding invitations, each addressed to a different individual and their names written correctly, to receive their next clue.
Airdate: 22 September 2017 Theme: Oceans & Resorts
For this season's final Face Off, teams found three large coins on a playing field made up of two half pieces – one red, one yellow. One member from each competing team had to run around the field flipping the coins so that both halves are their respective colour. The first team to fully turn all three coins to their colour received their next clue. The losing team had to wait for the next opponent, but would be able to choose which member of both teams plays in the next game. The last remaining team had to wait out a pre-determined time penalty.
Airdate: 29 September 2017 Theme: Traditions of Malaysia
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to pilot a helicopter. Once in the air, they were given the controls to perform three specific tasks. First, they had to increase their speed from 50 knots (93 km/h) to 90 knots (170 km/h) and maintain it for 30 seconds. They then had to perform a full 360° turn within two minutes while maintaining a steady altitude. Finally, they had to rise from 1,000 feet (300 m) to 1,500 feet (460 m) and maintain the altitude for 30 seconds. If they correctly performed all three maneuvers in succession, they received their next clue and a piece of a Buddhi Batiks sari. Only two racers could complete this task at a time, and if they failed any part of it, they would have to go to the back of the line.
For their Speed Bump, Zheng Yuanchang & Wang Likun had to break open durians and extract a total of 30 pulps from the fruits and place them into a packaging box. Once they were done, they had to eat five pulps from the box before they could continue racing.
In this leg's second Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to climb to the top of a palm tree, then cross a series of slacklines suspended between a row of trees to retrieve two halves of their next clue. Teams had five minutes to traverse the trees without dropping any pieces. Once teams retrieved both halves of their next clue and they returned to their partner, they received their next clue a piece of a Buddhi Batiks sari.
Airdate: 6 October 2017 Theme: Shanghai Culture/Tribute to HeiHeiRu
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to ascend the façade of the WH Ming Hotel and retrieve ten numbered markers to receive their next clue. The other team member may communicate to their partner using a speaker.
In this season's final Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to interact with four different locals, speaking in Wu and Shanghainese dialects, to find out they want to eat and drink, search the pantry to find four plates and cups, and place them into the corresponding baskets facing the direction of the locals to receive the next clue. The answers were: