In 2014, Chai produced and self-financed the environmental documentary Under the Dome (Chinese: 穹顶之下; pinyin: qióng dǐng zhī xià), directed by Ming Fan, which sparked widespread discussion about pollution in China.
After graduation in 1995, Chai hosted a radio program, Gentle Moonlight (Chinese: 夜色温柔; pinyin: yè sè wēn róu).
Three years later, at age 22, she enrolled in Beijing Broadcasting Institute (now Communication University of China) to study television production, while hosting another Hunan radio program, New Youth, (Chinese: 新青年; pinyin: xīn qīng nián).
Two years later, as an investigative reporter, she covered the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) crisis, appearing on camera in white protective clothing and looking pale and thin herself.
Following her daughter's birth, Chai undertook her own year-long investigation into China's environmental problems, spending nearly 1 million yuan ($167,000) producing a documentary called Under the Dome (Chinese: 穹顶之下; pinyin: qióng dǐng zhī xià), which was released for free online viewing on March 1, 2015.
[8] On September 19, 2009, a blogger, Wujinger1 (Chinese: 吴静儿1; pinyin: wú jìng er yī), posted a false article, "Famous CCTV hostess Chai Jing arrested today on suspicion of taking bribes".
Several months later, on July 13, 2010, Wujinger1 ran another false article, "CCTV hostess Chai Jing was taken away by the procuratorate again today", alleging that she was again being investigated on corruption charges.