A volcano in Wudalianchi, Heilongjiang. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Despite the accolades, both Yu and Liang feel that they could have done a better job if they had more time.

"If I had more time to cover the same places over different seasons, we would have been able to do an even better job," Yu says.

"Solid preparation is needed. Some scenes cannot be imagined while on land."

The crews gathered 220 hours of footages for the first season, he says.

Another problem the crews faced is China's fast pace of development.