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IN BRIEF
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The 2026 season of Beijing Express, baptized In the Kingdom of Dragonsconcluded with the decisive test in the streets of Bangkokoffering a breathtaking finale amidst temples, canals, and markets. winning duo is called Anthony and Annawho finished ahead of the Belgians Thelma and Claire after a journey through the Nepal, there China and the ThailandThe mechanics of Final sprint in Bangkokbased on the principle Time is money With three intermediate sprints and a beacon deducting €10 per second, the race was shaken up and put the contestants to the test—from tastings at the Damnoen Saduak floating market to a dizzying challenge at the MahaNakhon Tower and trials at the Rangsit boxing stadium. Despite an edition praised for its diverse cast and the human stories it highlighted, linear viewership remained low, although M6 emphasized the importance of on-demand viewing on its platform.
Season 22 of Beijing Express, titled “ In the Kingdom of Dragons ” ended this Friday, May 22, 2026, with the victory of the duo Anthony and AnnaAfter a race recorded across Nepal, China and Thailand, the two finalist pairs faced off in the streets of Bangkok In a final sprint where the game’s financial mechanics played a decisive role, this article looks back at the winners’ journey, the stages of the final, the season’s highlights, and the reactions surrounding this edition.
The winning duo: Anthony and Anna
Throughout the adventure, Anthony and Anna They embodied the strength of family bonds. Father and daughter, they knew how to leverage their complementary skills to overcome fatigue and unexpected challenges. Their journey was marked by moments of emotion and solidarity, and they managed to transform a mistake during the eighth stage—which had almost cost them the adventure—into a driving force to push forward to the final.
To learn more about media reactions and the official results, see in particular the reports and press headlines devoted to the end of the season: Ozap, TV program And MSNBelgian newspapers and specialist websites also reported the outcome of the final, such as DHnet And Femina News.
The final in Bangkok: a high-tension “final sprint”
Frame and format
The Thai capital provided a touristy yet urban backdrop for the season finale: canals, floating markets, soaring skyscrapers, and stadiums served as the setting for an intense showdown between the two remaining teams. The production team emphasized the “urban and edgy” nature of this stage, which tested the contestants’ physical and mental endurance after several weeks of competition.
The mechanics of “Time is money”
The final was based on the principle of “Time is money” Each pair had opportunities to collect money during three intermediate sprints, and triggering a beacon resulted in a financial penalty of 10 euros per second for the opposing team. This rule has profoundly changed the dynamics of the race, requiring the finalists to manage their effort and monetary strategy before the decisive sprint.
Significant events
Among the tasks assigned during this last episode was a tasting at the floating market of Damnoen Saduaka dizzying challenge on the tower MahaNakhon and challenges at the boxing stadium RangsitThese stages tested both the endurance and the ability of the pairs to keep their cool under pressure.
The road to victory: twists and turns
The journey ofAnthony and Anna It wasn’t a smooth ride. Their near-elimination in stage eight showed that a single mistake can almost cost them their place in the competition, but also that resilience is a key factor in going all the way. Their efforts were supported by a relationship built on trust: Anthony discovered a new side of his daughter, and Anna often stepped in to support her father during critical moments.
To recall some of the season’s most memorable episodes and eliminations, you can check out the report on the duo eliminated during the April 10th episode: Southeast Asia.
A challenging season rich in profiles
The twenty-second season showcased a diverse and often moving cast. The ten initial pairs each brought a unique story: themes of tolerance, the fight against homophobia, age differences in relationships, and disability were explored throughout the competition. The reconciliation between brothers Sébastien and Julien touched the audience, while Laurent and Frédéric, eliminated in the semi-finals, won over viewers with their good humor.
Several former contestants reunited at the end of filming, forging bonds that go beyond the show and highlighting the human dimension of this edition.
Audiences, context and reactions
Despite the appeal of the cast and the challenges, the ratings fell short of the network’s expectations. The penultimate episode drew approximately 1.1 million viewers, either 6.5% market shareM6 puts these figures into perspective by pointing out that nearly half of its audience is now viewed on-demand via the platform. M6+, a piece of data highlighted to explain the dissemination of audience results.
The press and specialist websites are closely monitoring the impact of this final on the program’s sustainability: articles and assessments have already been published, such as on Ozap, TV program, MSN And DHnet.
The final’s ratings, published within hours of the broadcast, will serve as a barometer for the concept’s future; some observers and media outlets are already analyzing whether this edition will be well-received in the long term, as evidenced by the coverage of Femina News and other specialized sites.
News and regional context discussed during the season
The filming and broadcast of this edition took place within a rich and sometimes tense Asian context. Current events were mentioned or reported by the press during the broadcast period: for example, an accident involving a train and several vehicles at a Bangkok station, which left at least eight people injured, was covered by local media (Southeast Asia).
Other regional news, such as the revelation of the state of health of the King of Cambodia (Southeast Asia), or the enhanced monitoring and sanctioning measures in Thailand targeting inappropriate conduct (Southeast Asia), have fueled the reporting context surrounding the show.
Furthermore, the show’s host himself relayed announcements and behind-the-scenes information related to the major editions: Stéphane Rotenberg made some revelations about the format which were picked up by the specialized press.
A look back at the media coverage and online relays
Coverage of the season was spread across numerous platforms. In addition to articles focusing on the finale and ratings, several websites offered profiles, episode summaries, and audience reactions. The narrative of certain events was supplemented by local analyses, and the viewing community frequently commented on episodes related to regional events, accessible, for example, through dedicated sections of [website name missing]. Southeast Asia.
Finally, the broadcast of the show coincided with other publications and assessments of the series, relayed by the digital press and news platforms, which questioned the future of the format in the event of audience performance deemed insufficient by some channel managers.
Peking Express 2026 — In the Kingdom of Dragons: Winning Duo
Strengths of the duo
Decisive elements in the final
Peking Express 2026: FAQ about the final and the winning duo
Q: Who won Peking Express 2026 ?
A: The winning duo this season is the pair Anthony and Annawho won against Thelma and Claire.
Q: Where did the season finale take place?
A: The final took place in the streets of Bangkok, with stops in the heart of the megacity and at iconic sites such as the floating market of Damnoen Saduak and the tower MahaNakhon.
Q: What format was used for the final step?
A: The final adopted the mechanics of “Time is money” Three intermediate sprints to collect money, then a beacon triggered by the finishing team that causes a loss 10 euros per second to the opponent.
Q: What challenges were proposed during the final sprint?
A: The contestants faced a variety of challenges, including a tasting at the floating market and a dizzying challenge on the tower. MahaNakhon and physical challenges at the boxing stadium Rangsit.
Q: What made the winning duo unique?
A: Anthony and Anna highlighted the strength of family connection Their solidarity, their ability to bounce back after an error in the eighth stage and their complementarity were decisive.
Q: Did season 22 feature a particular cast?
A: Yes, this edition offered a cast diverse and endearingaddressing societal themes (tolerance, disability, age difference, homophobia), and several pairs have touched viewers with their personal stories.
Q: Was the show broadcast live?
A: No, the final was broadcast on Friday, May 22, 2026, although filming had taken place earlier: the episode shown on television is pre-recorded.
Q: What was the audience reaction for this season?
A: Linear viewership was lower than in previous seasons: the penultimate episode attracted approximately 1.1 million viewers (6.5% market share). The channel points out, however, that nearly 50% audience engagement now takes place non-linearly via its platform.
Q: Has the production team changed the rules this year?
A: Yes, M6 has tightened some rules by prohibiting the use of GPS and translation tools, forcing the pairs to return to the fundamentals of the game: orientation, negotiation and adaptability.
Q: Did the participants’ success continue after filming?
A: Several pairs stayed in touch after the show and met up again, demonstrating bonds forged beyond the game; some highlights, such as the reconciliation of brothers Sébastien and Julien or the popularity of Laurent and Frédéric, particularly resonated with the public.