“China Beach” is a network television drama that ran on ABC for four seasons, l988–1991, decades after the Vietnam War during which the show is set. The series told the story of fictional characters at the real China Beach, an Army base near Da Nang, Vietnam, for soldiers on R&R (rest and recuperation).

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.

ABC has not 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 its in 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.

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.

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.

This sheltered pocket of sand features a picnic area, sunbathing, good play spots for children, and spectacular views of the Marin Headlands and Golden Gate. Legend has it that local residents named China Beach for the Chinese fishermen who, long ago, anchored their junks in the cove and camped on the beach.

July 22, 1991China Beach / Final episode date The show's pilot episode, "China Beach," aired on April 26, 1988. The final season was put on hiatus in fall 1990 and did not air its finale until summer 1991. The series ran for 61 episodes, concluding with a two-hour series finale on July 22, 1991.

four seasons The ABC TV drama aired for four seasons over three years, from 1988 to 1991. The show's pilot episode, "China Beach," aired on April 26, 1988. The final season was put on hiatus in fall 1990 and did not air its finale until summer 1991.

April 26, 1988 (USA)China Beach / First episode date The series originally ran on ABC for four seasons from April 27, 1988 to July 22, 1991.

During the Vietnam War, My Khe beach used to be a resort of American soldiers. Americans called this beach as “China Beach.” This is why the above TV film was entitled “China Beach.” The film was shot in the US but the producers built a similar beach to My Khe at their studio.