The show was inspired in part by the book Home Before Morning (1983) written by the former U.S. Army Nurse Lynda Van Devanter. The show's character Nurse Colleen McMurphy roughly follows Van Devanter's experiences as a nurse in Vietnam.

China Beach was an American war drama television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War. The title refers to My Khe Beach in the city of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, nicknamed “China Beach” in English by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War.

China Beach was one of the most powerful shows ever to hit television. Based on real vets and nurses (see the episode "Vets"), this show was the most realistic portrayal of the people who served in that horrible place and nothing else has come close.

During the drive to D.C., Karen asks McMurphy about her absent mother, K.C., and McMurphy thinks back on the one soldier she met at China Beach whom she will never forget, as well as the transition of coming home to the U.S. When they reach the Capitol, Boonie goes to see K.C. about Karen, and the group shares a moment ...

Local legend states that the beach was once used as a camp for Chinese fisherman who may have anchored their fishing boats in the harbor in the 1800s. The State of California bought the beach in 1933 and officially named it James D. Phelan Memorial Beach State Park, named after San Francisco's 25th mayor.

This name is a result of early European interest in the sea as a route from Europe and South Asia to the trading opportunities of China. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors called it the China Sea (Mare da China); later needs to differentiate it from nearby bodies of water led to calling it South China Sea.

Tour of Duty The trials of a U.S. Army platoon serving in the field during the Vietnam War. The trials of a U.S. Army platoon serving in the field during the Vietnam War.

Local legend states that the beach was once used as a camp for Chinese fisherman who may have anchored their fishing boats in the harbor in the 1800s. The State of California bought the beach in 1933 and officially named it James D. Phelan Memorial Beach State Park, named after San Francisco's 25th mayor.

The spotless sands of “China Beach”, once a popular R&R spot for US soldiers, are now dominated by a long line of lavish luxury hotels and five-star golf courses.

ABC hasn't decided whether to renew the series for another season, so “we are doing this as if it could be the last show,” executive producer John Sacret Young said. Now in its third full season, “China Beach” is not on the air at the moment, having been pulled following its Dec. 8 broadcast because of low ratings.

Critics lauded the show for its intense realism and creative storytelling. It racked up Emmy nominations and won a few, including two for Dana Delany for best actress in a drama and one for Marg Helgenberger for best supporting actress.

“Chinese people have always referred to the South China Sea as the 'South Sea', 'Nan Hai', one of the 'four seas' (North, South, East and West seas).