Michelle Topham 
CHINESE TITLE — 造城者 (aka Zao Cheng Zhe).
Adapted from the novel 中国农民城 (Zhong Guo Nong Min Cheng) written by 朱晓军 (Zhu Xiao Jun).
PLOT
Two highly capable and strong-willed cadres, Li Qiu Ping (played by Zhao Li Ying) and Zheng De Cheng (Huang Xiao Ming), are guided by the principle of “building a people’s city for the people.” They leverage the new reform and opening-up policies and the Central Government’s No. 1 Document to find innovative solutions.
They lead hundreds of thousands of farmers in constructing a modern city on the tidal flats, all without using a single cent of state funding. Instead, they are pioneering the groundbreaking approach of “pooling resources and forming partnerships.”
This is a miracle in the making—a remarkable feat unfolding in the history of urban development in China.
As they build, they are transforming the destinies of hundreds of thousands of farmers. Visionaries and trailblazers like Li Qiu Ping, Zheng De Cheng, Xie Chun Lai, and Gao Xue Mei dare to think and act boldly, writing a magnificent chapter in the radiant era of the 1980s.
Director, Staff and Cast
- Director — Sun Hao (Joy of Life)
- Screenwriter — Yuan Ke Ping (Like a Flowing River)
Main Cast
- Zhao Li Ying as Liu Qiu Ping
- Huang Xiao Ming as Zheng De Cheng
Supporting Cast
- Chen Ming Hao as Xie Chun Lai
- Zhu Yuan Yuan as Gao Xue Mei
- Qin Jun Jie as Du Tao
- Geng Le as Lin Dong Fu
- Ailei Yu as Tan Guang Ming
- Song Ning as Shi Min Qi
- Li Chuan Ying as Old Song
- Chen Hao Ming as Xiao Meng
- Zhang Guo Qiang as Zhao Dong Sheng
- Liu Wei Wei as Ms. Liu
- Li Xi Rui as Mo Ni Ka
- Zhang Wei Yi as Qian Chang Yuan
- Zhu Chao Yi as Yu Qing Tian
- Zhang Ye Zi as Wang Li Li
- Finn Han as Da Peng
- Liu Ting Zuo as Tian Hai Yang
- Li Qiang as Li Da Fu
- Guo Guang Ping as Xia Chang You
- Fang Zi Bin as Cai Gang
- Wang Yi Yao
- Dong Ke Fei
- Wang Jian Guo
- Jia Jing Hui
- Fu Jia
- Monica Chan
- Liu Hua
Premiere Details
The 36-episode Chinese drama ended its filming on May 1st, 2025. No premiere date has yet been released.
Where Streaming
The City Maker will stream via iQIYI when it does release.
Articles about the Chinese drama
The City Maker starring Zhao Liying and Huang Xiaoming wraps up filming
5 character posters drop for The City Maker as the C-drama premieres on January 10th, 2026
About the Author
