The 15th edition of the reality series strands 16 castaways in China's Jiangxi Province. Initially, everyone comes together in Shanghai before attending a Buddhist ceremony in HuangPu Mountain's Mi Tuo Temple. Next, the contestants are split into two tribes (Fei Long, Zhan Hu) and marooned on two islands on Zhelin Lake.

The castaways wrestle in mud as part of a challenge; Jean-Robert intentionally acts lazy as part of a risky strategy to get ahead in the game; Dave attempts to get the Zhan Hu tribe organized; and another castaway is voted out at tribal council.

For a reward of comfort items, including pillows, blankets and a tarp, the two tribes are each given a boat and must defend it against attacks. For immunity, the teams use wooden Chinese coins to solve a puzzle. At tribal council, another castaway is voted out of the game.

Seashells saved for Mom prompt an explosive fight between Sherea and Dave at Zhan Hu. Jean-Robert tries to help Courtney from burning herself on a kettle. In return for the helpful warning, Courtney snaps back! Later, both tribes receive tree mail telling them they must go to Tribal Council.

Some castaways fear alliances will be broken after a tribal switch occurs; a physical attraction between two players occurs and leads to the revelation that a hidden immunity idol exists; another castaway is voted out of the game.

The castaways dine on unusual Chinese delicacies, ranging from a chicken heart to a , thousand-year-old egg., A castaway discovers the Hidden Immunity Idol, but the secret is blown when an unwelcome tribe member sees it in their possession. And later, one castaway wants to go to Tribal Council, even though he knows he won, 't have the votes to survive.

Friendships are tested after an argument over loyalty. Questions arise about the location of the hidden immunity idols, including a search on private property. As the tribes merge, one powerful castaway is torn between two alliances.

A castaway in search for the hidden immunity idol, collects a pile of random items in hopes that one will be the missing object. Todd makes plans for getting James eliminated, while seven of the contestants arrive at tribal council, confident that they will be staying.

Courtney's flirtation with a member from outside the group upsets the alliance within the tribe. Jeff announces that there will be business for the tribes to tend to after the tribal council meets.

Jeff Probst takes a look back at the season so far.

Jeff arrives with a surprising announcement. Meanwhile, one castaway is thinking about backstabbing a best friend.

One tribe member is reduced to tears when the remaining six castaways receives a message from home. But, the other five contestants believe the tears are phony.

A castaway feels hurt by someone she had befriended. While one member learns of another castaways plan, an unexpected bond forms which may shake up the final four. The Great Wall of China is the site of a feast for some of the tribe members. Meanwhile, at tribal council, a 12th players is voted off.

A last minute revelation by a castaway prompts an all-time high in paranoia between the contestants. A castaway feels vulnerable during the final Immunity Challenge and schemes to make it to the final three. Another castaway is maddened by a friend when they is made to look bad in front of the jury. The final three are left accountable for their actions as the jury decides a winner.

A winning castaway is announced when all 16 contestants gather in Los Angeles to review their experiences.