diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8eff902f6b0..c819a09e60d 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_byte_buffer_reader_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_channel_args_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_channel_stack_builder_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_channel_stack_test)
+add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_channel_tracer_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_completion_queue_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_completion_queue_threading_test)
 add_dependencies(buildtests_c grpc_credentials_test)
@@ -639,6 +640,7 @@ add_library(gpr
   src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc
   src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc
   src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc
+  src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc
   src/core/lib/support/string.cc
   src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc
   src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc
@@ -793,6 +795,7 @@ add_library(grpc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -1136,6 +1139,7 @@ add_library(grpc_cronet
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -1445,6 +1449,7 @@ add_library(grpc_test_util
   test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc
   test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc
   test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc
+  test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc
   test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc
   test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc
   test/core/util/histogram.cc
@@ -1462,6 +1467,7 @@ add_library(grpc_test_util
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -1715,6 +1721,7 @@ add_library(grpc_test_util_unsecure
   test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc
   test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc
   test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc
+  test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc
   test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc
   test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc
   test/core/util/histogram.cc
@@ -1732,6 +1739,7 @@ add_library(grpc_test_util_unsecure
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -1985,6 +1993,7 @@ add_library(grpc_unsecure
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -2735,6 +2744,7 @@ add_library(grpc++_cronet
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -6348,6 +6358,35 @@ target_link_libraries(grpc_channel_stack_test
 endif (gRPC_BUILD_TESTS)
 if (gRPC_BUILD_TESTS)
 
+add_executable(grpc_channel_tracer_test
+  test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc
+)
+
+
+target_include_directories(grpc_channel_tracer_test
+  PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}
+  PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include
+  PRIVATE ${_gRPC_SSL_INCLUDE_DIR}
+  PRIVATE ${PROTOBUF_ROOT_DIR}/src
+  PRIVATE ${BENCHMARK_ROOT_DIR}/include
+  PRIVATE ${ZLIB_ROOT_DIR}
+  PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/third_party/zlib
+  PRIVATE ${CARES_INCLUDE_DIR}
+  PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/third_party/cares/cares
+  PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/third_party/gflags/include
+)
+
+target_link_libraries(grpc_channel_tracer_test
+  ${_gRPC_ALLTARGETS_LIBRARIES}
+  grpc_test_util
+  grpc
+  gpr_test_util
+  gpr
+)
+
+endif (gRPC_BUILD_TESTS)
+if (gRPC_BUILD_TESTS)
+
 add_executable(grpc_completion_queue_test
   test/core/surface/completion_queue_test.cc
 )
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e51882c3640..d12e3ade3e0 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1001,6 +1001,7 @@ grpc_byte_buffer_reader_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_byte_buffer_reader_test
 grpc_channel_args_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_args_test
 grpc_channel_stack_builder_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_builder_test
 grpc_channel_stack_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_test
+grpc_channel_tracer_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test
 grpc_completion_queue_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_completion_queue_test
 grpc_completion_queue_threading_test: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_completion_queue_threading_test
 grpc_create_jwt: $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_create_jwt
@@ -1400,6 +1401,7 @@ buildtests_c: privatelibs_c \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_args_test \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_builder_test \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_test \
+  $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_completion_queue_test \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_completion_queue_threading_test \
   $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_credentials_test \
@@ -1865,6 +1867,8 @@ test_c: buildtests_c
 	$(Q) $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_builder_test || ( echo test grpc_channel_stack_builder_test failed ; exit 1 )
 	$(E) "[RUN]     Testing grpc_channel_stack_test"
 	$(Q) $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_stack_test || ( echo test grpc_channel_stack_test failed ; exit 1 )
+	$(E) "[RUN]     Testing grpc_channel_tracer_test"
+	$(Q) $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test || ( echo test grpc_channel_tracer_test failed ; exit 1 )
 	$(E) "[RUN]     Testing grpc_completion_queue_test"
 	$(Q) $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_completion_queue_test || ( echo test grpc_completion_queue_test failed ; exit 1 )
 	$(E) "[RUN]     Testing grpc_completion_queue_threading_test"
@@ -2843,6 +2847,7 @@ LIBGPR_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc \
+    src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc \
@@ -2974,6 +2979,7 @@ LIBGRPC_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -3317,6 +3323,7 @@ LIBGRPC_CRONET_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -3625,6 +3632,7 @@ LIBGRPC_TEST_UTIL_SRC = \
     test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc \
     test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc \
     test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc \
+    test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc \
     test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc \
     test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc \
     test/core/util/histogram.cc \
@@ -3642,6 +3650,7 @@ LIBGRPC_TEST_UTIL_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -3886,6 +3895,7 @@ LIBGRPC_TEST_UTIL_UNSECURE_SRC = \
     test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc \
     test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc \
     test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc \
+    test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc \
     test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc \
     test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc \
     test/core/util/histogram.cc \
@@ -3903,6 +3913,7 @@ LIBGRPC_TEST_UTIL_UNSECURE_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -4134,6 +4145,7 @@ LIBGRPC_UNSECURE_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -4867,6 +4879,7 @@ LIBGRPC++_CRONET_SRC = \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
@@ -10516,6 +10529,38 @@ endif
 endif
 
 
+GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_SRC = \
+    test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc \
+
+GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_OBJS = $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/$(CONFIG)/, $(addsuffix .o, $(basename $(GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_SRC))))
+ifeq ($(NO_SECURE),true)
+
+# You can't build secure targets if you don't have OpenSSL.
+
+$(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test: openssl_dep_error
+
+else
+
+
+
+$(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test: $(GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_OBJS) $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr.a
+	$(E) "[LD]      Linking $@"
+	$(Q) mkdir -p `dirname $@`
+	$(Q) $(LD) $(LDFLAGS) $(GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_OBJS) $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr.a $(LDLIBS) $(LDLIBS_SECURE) -o $(BINDIR)/$(CONFIG)/grpc_channel_tracer_test
+
+endif
+
+$(OBJDIR)/$(CONFIG)/test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.o:  $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgrpc.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr_test_util.a $(LIBDIR)/$(CONFIG)/libgpr.a
+
+deps_grpc_channel_tracer_test: $(GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_OBJS:.o=.dep)
+
+ifneq ($(NO_SECURE),true)
+ifneq ($(NO_DEPS),true)
+-include $(GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_TEST_OBJS:.o=.dep)
+endif
+endif
+
+
 GRPC_COMPLETION_QUEUE_TEST_SRC = \
     test/core/surface/completion_queue_test.cc \
 
diff --git a/build.yaml b/build.yaml
index 42d72459811..67513d84453 100644
--- a/build.yaml
+++ b/build.yaml
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ filegroups:
   - src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc
   - src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc
   - src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc
+  - src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc
   - src/core/lib/support/string.cc
   - src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc
   - src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ filegroups:
   - src/core/lib/support/memory.h
   - src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h
   - src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h
+  - src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h
   - src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h
   - src/core/lib/support/string.h
   - src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h
@@ -154,6 +156,7 @@ filegroups:
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc
+  - src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
   - src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc
   - src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc
   - src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc
@@ -309,6 +312,7 @@ filegroups:
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
+  - src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/context.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h
@@ -710,6 +714,7 @@ filegroups:
   - test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.h
   - test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.h
   - test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.h
+  - test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h
   - test/core/util/debugger_macros.h
   - test/core/util/grpc_profiler.h
   - test/core/util/histogram.h
@@ -728,6 +733,7 @@ filegroups:
   - test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc
   - test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc
   - test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc
+  - test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc
   - test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc
   - test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc
   - test/core/util/histogram.cc
@@ -2333,6 +2339,17 @@ targets:
   - gpr_test_util
   - gpr
   uses_polling: false
+- name: grpc_channel_tracer_test
+  build: test
+  language: c
+  src:
+  - test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc
+  deps:
+  - grpc_test_util
+  - grpc
+  - gpr_test_util
+  - gpr
+  uses_polling: false
 - name: grpc_completion_queue_test
   build: test
   language: c
diff --git a/config.m4 b/config.m4
index c026b83f359..e0de29807d2 100644
--- a/config.m4
+++ b/config.m4
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ if test "$PHP_GRPC" != "no"; then
     src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc \
+    src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc \
     src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc \
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ if test "$PHP_GRPC" != "no"; then
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
+    src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc \
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc \
diff --git a/config.w32 b/config.w32
index cd3a16a4653..8815331c6ad 100644
--- a/config.w32
+++ b/config.w32
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ if (PHP_GRPC != "no") {
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\log_windows.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\mpscq.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\murmur_hash.cc " +
+    "src\\core\\lib\\support\\object_registry.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\string.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\string_posix.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\support\\string_util_windows.cc " +
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ if (PHP_GRPC != "no") {
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\channel_args.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\channel_stack.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\channel_stack_builder.cc " +
+    "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\channel_tracer.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\connected_channel.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\handshaker.cc " +
     "src\\core\\lib\\channel\\handshaker_factory.cc " +
diff --git a/gRPC-Core.podspec b/gRPC-Core.podspec
index 708c3436abd..1cae08d0882 100644
--- a/gRPC-Core.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-Core.podspec
@@ -205,6 +205,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'src/core/lib/support/memory.h',
                       'src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h',
                       'src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h',
+                      'src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h',
                       'src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h',
                       'src/core/lib/support/string.h',
                       'src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h',
@@ -234,6 +235,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc',
+                      'src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/support/string.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc',
@@ -333,6 +335,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h',
+                      'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/context.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h',
@@ -473,6 +476,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+                      'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
@@ -729,6 +733,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                               'src/core/lib/support/memory.h',
                               'src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h',
                               'src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h',
+                              'src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h',
                               'src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h',
                               'src/core/lib/support/string.h',
                               'src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h',
@@ -813,6 +818,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                               'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h',
+                              'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/context.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h',
@@ -985,6 +991,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc',
                       'test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc',
                       'test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc',
+                      'test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc',
                       'test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc',
                       'test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc',
                       'test/core/util/histogram.cc',
@@ -1004,6 +1011,7 @@ Pod::Spec.new do |s|
                       'test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.h',
                       'test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.h',
                       'test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.h',
+                      'test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h',
                       'test/core/util/debugger_macros.h',
                       'test/core/util/grpc_profiler.h',
                       'test/core/util/histogram.h',
diff --git a/grpc.gemspec b/grpc.gemspec
index d1859952619..ea11b6a94c8 100644
--- a/grpc.gemspec
+++ b/grpc.gemspec
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/memory.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/string.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h )
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/string.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc )
@@ -259,6 +261,7 @@ Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/context.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h )
@@ -403,6 +406,7 @@ Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc )
diff --git a/grpc.gyp b/grpc.gyp
index c34206b1a5d..8f7ba225512 100644
--- a/grpc.gyp
+++ b/grpc.gyp
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc',
         'src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc',
         'src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc',
+        'src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc',
         'src/core/lib/support/string.cc',
         'src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc',
         'src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc',
@@ -226,6 +227,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+        'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
@@ -503,6 +505,7 @@
         'test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc',
         'test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc',
         'test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc',
+        'test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc',
         'test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc',
         'test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc',
         'test/core/util/histogram.cc',
@@ -520,6 +523,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+        'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
@@ -715,6 +719,7 @@
         'test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.cc',
         'test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.cc',
         'test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc',
+        'test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc',
         'test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc',
         'test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc',
         'test/core/util/histogram.cc',
@@ -732,6 +737,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+        'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
@@ -926,6 +932,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+        'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
diff --git a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
index fcbc8ac5a1e..b4cbff8649b 100644
--- a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
+++ b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
@@ -274,6 +274,9 @@ typedef struct {
 #define GRPC_ARG_SOCKET_MUTATOR "grpc.socket_mutator"
 /** The grpc_socket_factory instance to create and bind sockets. A pointer. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_SOCKET_FACTORY "grpc.socket_factory"
+/** The maximum number of trace nodes to keep in the tracer for each channel or
+ * subchannel. The default is 10. If set to 0, channel tracing is disabled. */
+#define GRPC_ARG_CHANNEL_TRACING_MAX_NODES "grpc.channel_tracing_max_nodes"
 /** If non-zero, Cronet transport will coalesce packets to fewer frames
  * when possible. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_USE_CRONET_PACKET_COALESCING \
diff --git a/package.xml b/package.xml
index b4d8c886930..5f70dbc3fab 100644
--- a/package.xml
+++ b/package.xml
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/memory.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/string.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h" role="src" />
@@ -136,6 +137,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/string.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc" role="src" />
@@ -271,6 +273,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/context.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h" role="src" />
@@ -415,6 +418,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc" role="src" />
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.cc b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.cc
index f07394d29b2..8b8e468f16f 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.cc
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.cc
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include "src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/uri_parser.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/backoff/backoff.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/debug/stats.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/sockaddr_utils.h"
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/profiling/timers.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/support/manual_constructor.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/channel.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h"
@@ -75,6 +77,7 @@ typedef struct external_state_watcher {
 } external_state_watcher;
 
 struct grpc_subchannel {
+  intptr_t uuid;
   grpc_connector* connector;
 
   /** refcount
@@ -131,6 +134,8 @@ struct grpc_subchannel {
   bool backoff_begun;
   /** our alarm */
   grpc_timer alarm;
+
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer;
 };
 
 struct grpc_subchannel_call {
@@ -183,6 +188,7 @@ void grpc_connected_subchannel_unref(
 
 static void subchannel_destroy(void* arg, grpc_error* error) {
   grpc_subchannel* c = (grpc_subchannel*)arg;
+  grpc_object_registry_unregister_object(c->uuid);
   gpr_free((void*)c->filters);
   grpc_channel_args_destroy(c->args);
   grpc_connectivity_state_destroy(&c->state_tracker);
@@ -337,6 +343,8 @@ grpc_subchannel* grpc_subchannel_create(grpc_connector* connector,
 
   GRPC_STATS_INC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNELS_CREATED();
   c = (grpc_subchannel*)gpr_zalloc(sizeof(*c));
+  c->uuid =
+      grpc_object_registry_register_object(c, GPRC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_SUBCHANNEL);
   c->key = key;
   gpr_atm_no_barrier_store(&c->ref_pair, 1 << INTERNAL_REF_BITS);
   c->connector = connector;
@@ -385,6 +393,15 @@ grpc_subchannel* grpc_subchannel_create(grpc_connector* connector,
   return grpc_subchannel_index_register(key, c);
 }
 
+char* grpc_subchannel_get_trace(grpc_subchannel* subchannel, bool recursive) {
+  return subchannel->tracer != NULL
+             ? grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(subchannel->tracer, recursive)
+             : NULL;
+}
+intptr_t grpc_subchannel_get_uuid(grpc_subchannel* subchannel) {
+  return subchannel->uuid;
+}
+
 static void continue_connect_locked(grpc_subchannel* c) {
   grpc_connect_in_args args;
   args.interested_parties = c->pollset_set;
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
index 9d34fff07a8..3584d3928a1 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
@@ -165,6 +165,10 @@ struct grpc_subchannel_args {
 grpc_subchannel* grpc_subchannel_create(grpc_connector* connector,
                                         const grpc_subchannel_args* args);
 
+/// retrieves the trace for this subchannel in JSON form.
+char* grpc_subchannel_get_trace(grpc_subchannel* subchannel, bool recursive);
+intptr_t grpc_subchannel_get_uuid(grpc_subchannel* subchannel);
+
 /// Sets \a addr from \a args.
 void grpc_get_subchannel_address_arg(const grpc_channel_args* args,
                                      grpc_resolved_address* addr);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0d77f33c7f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,326 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
+#include <grpc/grpc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+#include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
+#include <grpc/support/useful.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/support/string.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/surface/channel.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h"
+
+// One node of tracing data
+typedef struct grpc_trace_node {
+  grpc_slice data;
+  grpc_error* error;
+  gpr_timespec time_created;
+  grpc_connectivity_state connectivity_state;
+  struct grpc_trace_node* next;
+
+  // the tracer object for the (sub)channel that this trace node refers to.
+  grpc_channel_tracer* referenced_tracer;
+} grpc_trace_node;
+
+/* the channel tracing object */
+struct grpc_channel_tracer {
+  gpr_refcount refs;
+  gpr_mu tracer_mu;
+  intptr_t channel_uuid;
+  uint64_t num_nodes_logged;
+  size_t list_size;
+  size_t max_list_size;
+  grpc_trace_node* head_trace;
+  grpc_trace_node* tail_trace;
+  gpr_timespec time_created;
+};
+
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_create(size_t max_nodes, intptr_t uuid,
+                                                const char* file, int line,
+                                                const char* func) {
+#else
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_create(size_t max_nodes,
+                                                intptr_t uuid) {
+#endif
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer = static_cast<grpc_channel_tracer*>(
+      gpr_zalloc(sizeof(grpc_channel_tracer)));
+  gpr_mu_init(&tracer->tracer_mu);
+  gpr_ref_init(&tracer->refs, 1);
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p create [%s:%d %s]", tracer, file, line, func);
+#endif
+  tracer->channel_uuid = uuid;
+  tracer->max_list_size = max_nodes;
+  tracer->time_created = gpr_now(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME);
+  return tracer;
+}
+
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_ref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                             const char* file, int line,
+                                             const char* func) {
+  if (!tracer) return tracer;
+  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d %s]", tracer,
+          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tracer->refs.count),
+          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tracer->refs.count) + 1, file, line, func);
+  gpr_ref(&tracer->refs);
+  return tracer;
+}
+#else
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_ref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  if (!tracer) return tracer;
+  gpr_ref(&tracer->refs);
+  return tracer;
+}
+#endif
+
+static void free_node(grpc_trace_node* node) {
+  GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(node->error);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(node->referenced_tracer);
+  grpc_slice_unref_internal(node->data);
+  gpr_free(node);
+}
+
+static void grpc_channel_tracer_destroy(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  grpc_trace_node* it = tracer->head_trace;
+  while (it != NULL) {
+    grpc_trace_node* to_free = it;
+    it = it->next;
+    free_node(to_free);
+  }
+  gpr_mu_destroy(&tracer->tracer_mu);
+  gpr_free(tracer);
+}
+
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+void grpc_channel_tracer_unref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer, const char* file,
+                               int line, const char* func) {
+  if (!tracer) return;
+  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d %s]", tracer,
+          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tracer->refs.count),
+          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tracer->refs.count) - 1, file, line, func);
+  if (gpr_unref(&tracer->refs)) {
+    grpc_channel_tracer_destroy(tracer);
+  }
+}
+#else
+void grpc_channel_tracer_unref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  if (!tracer) return;
+  if (gpr_unref(&tracer->refs)) {
+    grpc_channel_tracer_destroy(tracer);
+  }
+}
+#endif
+
+void grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer, grpc_slice data,
+                                   grpc_error* error,
+                                   grpc_connectivity_state connectivity_state,
+                                   grpc_channel_tracer* referenced_tracer) {
+  if (!tracer) return;
+  ++tracer->num_nodes_logged;
+  // create and fill up the new node
+  grpc_trace_node* new_trace_node =
+      static_cast<grpc_trace_node*>(gpr_malloc(sizeof(grpc_trace_node)));
+  new_trace_node->data = data;
+  new_trace_node->error = error;
+  new_trace_node->time_created = gpr_now(GPR_CLOCK_REALTIME);
+  new_trace_node->connectivity_state = connectivity_state;
+  new_trace_node->next = NULL;
+  new_trace_node->referenced_tracer =
+      GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REF(referenced_tracer);
+  // first node case
+  if (tracer->head_trace == NULL) {
+    tracer->head_trace = tracer->tail_trace = new_trace_node;
+  }
+  // regular node add case
+  else {
+    tracer->tail_trace->next = new_trace_node;
+    tracer->tail_trace = tracer->tail_trace->next;
+  }
+  ++tracer->list_size;
+  // maybe garbage collect the end
+  if (tracer->list_size > tracer->max_list_size) {
+    grpc_trace_node* to_free = tracer->head_trace;
+    tracer->head_trace = tracer->head_trace->next;
+    free_node(to_free);
+    --tracer->list_size;
+  }
+}
+
+// returns an allocated string that represents tm according to RFC-3339.
+static char* fmt_time(gpr_timespec tm) {
+  char buffer[35];
+  struct tm* tm_info = localtime((const time_t*)&tm.tv_sec);
+  strftime(buffer, sizeof(buffer), "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S", tm_info);
+  char* full_time_str;
+  gpr_asprintf(&full_time_str, "%s.%09dZ", buffer, tm.tv_nsec);
+  return full_time_str;
+}
+
+typedef struct seen_tracers {
+  grpc_channel_tracer** tracers;
+  size_t size;
+  size_t cap;
+} seen_tracers;
+
+static void seen_tracers_add(seen_tracers* tracker,
+                             grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  if (tracker->size >= tracker->cap) {
+    tracker->cap = GPR_MAX(5 * sizeof(tracer), 3 * tracker->cap / 2);
+    tracker->tracers =
+        (grpc_channel_tracer**)gpr_realloc(tracker->tracers, tracker->cap);
+  }
+  tracker->tracers[tracker->size++] = tracer;
+}
+
+static bool seen_tracers_check(seen_tracers* tracker,
+                               grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < tracker->size; ++i) {
+    if (tracker->tracers[i] == tracer) return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+static void recursively_populate_json(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                      seen_tracers* tracker, grpc_json* json,
+                                      bool recursive);
+
+static void populate_node_data(grpc_trace_node* node, seen_tracers* tracker,
+                               grpc_json* json, grpc_json* children) {
+  grpc_json* child = NULL;
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(child, json, "data",
+                                 grpc_slice_to_c_string(node->data),
+                                 GRPC_JSON_STRING, true);
+  if (node->error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+    child = grpc_json_create_child(child, json, "error",
+                                   gpr_strdup(grpc_error_string(node->error)),
+                                   GRPC_JSON_STRING, true);
+  }
+  child =
+      grpc_json_create_child(child, json, "time", fmt_time(node->time_created),
+                             GRPC_JSON_STRING, true);
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(
+      child, json, "state",
+      grpc_connectivity_state_name(node->connectivity_state), GRPC_JSON_STRING,
+      false);
+  if (node->referenced_tracer != NULL) {
+    char* uuid_str;
+    gpr_asprintf(&uuid_str, "%ld", node->referenced_tracer->channel_uuid);
+    child = grpc_json_create_child(child, json, "uuid", uuid_str,
+                                   GRPC_JSON_NUMBER, true);
+    if (children && !seen_tracers_check(tracker, node->referenced_tracer)) {
+      grpc_json* referenced_tracer = grpc_json_create_child(
+          NULL, children, NULL, NULL, GRPC_JSON_OBJECT, false);
+      recursively_populate_json(node->referenced_tracer, tracker,
+                                referenced_tracer, true);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+static void populate_node_list_data(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                    seen_tracers* tracker, grpc_json* nodes,
+                                    grpc_json* children) {
+  grpc_json* child = NULL;
+  grpc_trace_node* it = tracer->head_trace;
+  while (it != NULL) {
+    child = grpc_json_create_child(child, nodes, NULL, NULL, GRPC_JSON_OBJECT,
+                                   false);
+    populate_node_data(it, tracker, child, children);
+    it = it->next;
+  }
+}
+
+static void populate_tracer_data(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                 seen_tracers* tracker, grpc_json* channel_data,
+                                 grpc_json* children) {
+  grpc_json* child = NULL;
+
+  char* uuid_str;
+  gpr_asprintf(&uuid_str, "%ld", tracer->channel_uuid);
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(child, channel_data, "uuid", uuid_str,
+                                 GRPC_JSON_NUMBER, true);
+  char* num_nodes_logged_str;
+  gpr_asprintf(&num_nodes_logged_str, "%" PRId64, tracer->num_nodes_logged);
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(child, channel_data, "numNodesLogged",
+                                 num_nodes_logged_str, GRPC_JSON_NUMBER, true);
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(child, channel_data, "startTime",
+                                 fmt_time(tracer->time_created),
+                                 GRPC_JSON_STRING, true);
+  child = grpc_json_create_child(child, channel_data, "nodes", NULL,
+                                 GRPC_JSON_ARRAY, false);
+  populate_node_list_data(tracer, tracker, child, children);
+}
+
+static void recursively_populate_json(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                      seen_tracers* tracker, grpc_json* json,
+                                      bool recursive) {
+  grpc_json* channel_data = grpc_json_create_child(
+      NULL, json, "channelData", NULL, GRPC_JSON_OBJECT, false);
+  grpc_json* children = NULL;
+  if (recursive) {
+    children = grpc_json_create_child(channel_data, json, "children", NULL,
+                                      GRPC_JSON_ARRAY, false);
+  }
+  seen_tracers_add(tracker, tracer);
+  populate_tracer_data(tracer, tracker, channel_data, children);
+}
+
+char* grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                       bool recursive) {
+  grpc_json* json = grpc_json_create(GRPC_JSON_OBJECT);
+
+  seen_tracers tracker;
+  memset(&tracker, 0, sizeof(tracker));
+
+  recursively_populate_json(tracer, &tracker, json, recursive);
+
+  gpr_free(tracker.tracers);
+
+  char* json_str = grpc_json_dump_to_string(json, 1);
+  grpc_json_destroy(json);
+  return json_str;
+}
+
+char* grpc_channel_tracer_get_trace(intptr_t uuid, bool recursive) {
+  void* object;
+  grpc_object_registry_type type =
+      grpc_object_registry_get_object(uuid, &object);
+  GPR_ASSERT(type == GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_CHANNEL ||
+             type == GPRC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_SUBCHANNEL);
+  switch (type) {
+    case GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_CHANNEL:
+      return grpc_channel_get_trace(static_cast<grpc_channel*>(object),
+                                    recursive);
+      break;
+    case GPRC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_SUBCHANNEL:
+      return grpc_subchannel_get_trace(static_cast<grpc_subchannel*>(object),
+                                       recursive);
+      break;
+    default:
+      abort();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1f151ba8991
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_TRACER_H
+#define GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_TRACER_H
+
+#include <grpc/grpc.h>
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/json/json.h"
+
+/* Forward declaration */
+typedef struct grpc_channel_tracer grpc_channel_tracer;
+
+// #define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+
+/* Creates a new tracer. The caller owns a reference to the returned tracer. */
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_create(size_t max_nodes, intptr_t uuid,
+                                                const char* file, int line,
+                                                const char* func);
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, id) \
+  grpc_channel_tracer_create(max_nodes, id, __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__)
+#else
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_create(size_t max_nodes,
+                                                intptr_t uuid);
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, id) \
+  grpc_channel_tracer_create(max_nodes, id)
+#endif
+
+#ifdef GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_ref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                             const char* file, int line,
+                                             const char* func);
+void grpc_channel_tracer_unref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer, const char* file,
+                               int line, const char* func);
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REF(tracer) \
+  grpc_channel_tracer_ref(tracer, __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__)
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer) \
+  grpc_channel_tracer_unref(tracer, __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__)
+#else
+grpc_channel_tracer* grpc_channel_tracer_ref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer);
+void grpc_channel_tracer_unref(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer);
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_REF(tracer) grpc_channel_tracer_ref(tracer)
+#define GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer) grpc_channel_tracer_unref(tracer)
+#endif
+
+/* Adds a new trace node to the tracing object */
+void grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer, grpc_slice data,
+                                   grpc_error* error,
+                                   grpc_connectivity_state connectivity_state,
+                                   grpc_channel_tracer* subchannel);
+
+/* Returns the tracing data rendered as a grpc json string.
+   The string is owned by the caller and must be freed. If recursive
+   is true, then the string will include the recursive trace for all
+   subtracing objects. */
+char* grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                                       bool recursive);
+/* util functions that perform the uuid -> tracer step for you, and then
+   returns the trace for the uuid given. */
+char* grpc_channel_tracer_get_trace(intptr_t uuid, bool recursive);
+
+#endif /* GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_CHANNEL_TRACER_H */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/json/json.cc b/src/core/lib/json/json.cc
index 4ad51f662a7..2171e694555 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/json/json.cc
+++ b/src/core/lib/json/json.cc
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 
 #include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
 
 #include "src/core/lib/json/json.h"
 
@@ -44,5 +45,40 @@ void grpc_json_destroy(grpc_json* json) {
     json->parent->child = json->next;
   }
 
+  if (json->owns_value) {
+    gpr_free((void*)json->value);
+  }
+
   gpr_free(json);
 }
+
+grpc_json* grpc_json_link_child(grpc_json* parent, grpc_json* child,
+                                grpc_json* sibling) {
+  // first child case.
+  if (parent->child == NULL) {
+    GPR_ASSERT(sibling == NULL);
+    parent->child = child;
+    return child;
+  }
+  if (sibling == NULL) {
+    sibling = parent->child;
+  }
+  // always find the right most sibling.
+  while (sibling->next != NULL) {
+    sibling = sibling->next;
+  }
+  sibling->next = child;
+  return child;
+}
+
+grpc_json* grpc_json_create_child(grpc_json* sibling, grpc_json* parent,
+                                  const char* key, const char* value,
+                                  grpc_json_type type, bool owns_value) {
+  grpc_json* child = grpc_json_create(type);
+  grpc_json_link_child(parent, child, sibling);
+  child->owns_value = owns_value;
+  child->parent = parent;
+  child->value = value;
+  child->key = key;
+  return child;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/lib/json/json.h b/src/core/lib/json/json.h
index bbd43025eb8..d88a79271fd 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/json/json.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/json/json.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #ifndef GRPC_CORE_LIB_JSON_JSON_H
 #define GRPC_CORE_LIB_JSON_JSON_H
 
+#include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
 #include "src/core/lib/json/json_common.h"
@@ -35,6 +36,9 @@ typedef struct grpc_json {
   grpc_json_type type;
   const char* key;
   const char* value;
+
+  /* if set, destructor will free value */
+  bool owns_value;
 } grpc_json;
 
 /* The next two functions are going to parse the input string, and
@@ -65,9 +69,24 @@ char* grpc_json_dump_to_string(grpc_json* json, int indent);
 
 /* Use these to create or delete a grpc_json object.
  * Deletion is recursive. We will not attempt to free any of the strings
- * in any of the objects of that tree.
+ * in any of the objects of that tree, unless the boolean, owns_value,
+ * is true.
  */
 grpc_json* grpc_json_create(grpc_json_type type);
 void grpc_json_destroy(grpc_json* json);
 
+/* Links the child json object into the parent's json tree. If the parent
+ * already has children, then passing in the most recently added child as the
+ * sibling parameter is an optimization. For if sibling is NULL, this function
+ * will manually traverse the tree in order to find the right most sibling.
+ */
+grpc_json* grpc_json_link_child(grpc_json* parent, grpc_json* child,
+                                grpc_json* sibling);
+
+/* Creates a child json object into the parent's json tree then links it in
+ * as described above. */
+grpc_json* grpc_json_create_child(grpc_json* sibling, grpc_json* parent,
+                                  const char* key, const char* value,
+                                  grpc_json_type type, bool owns_value);
+
 #endif /* GRPC_CORE_LIB_JSON_JSON_H */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc b/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..596711804fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h"
+
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/avl.h>
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+
+// file global lock and avl.
+static gpr_mu g_mu;
+static gpr_avl g_avl;
+static intptr_t g_uuid = 0;
+
+typedef struct {
+  void* object;
+  grpc_object_registry_type type;
+} object_tracker;
+
+// avl vtable for uuid (intptr_t) -> object_tracker
+// this table is only looking, it does not own anything.
+static void destroy_intptr(void* not_used, void* user_data) {}
+static void* copy_intptr(void* key, void* user_data) { return key; }
+static long compare_intptr(void* key1, void* key2, void* user_data) {
+  return key1 > key2;
+}
+
+static void destroy_tracker(void* tracker, void* user_data) {
+  gpr_free((object_tracker*)tracker);
+}
+
+static void* copy_tracker(void* value, void* user_data) {
+  object_tracker* old = static_cast<object_tracker*>(value);
+  object_tracker* new_obj =
+      static_cast<object_tracker*>(gpr_malloc(sizeof(object_tracker)));
+  new_obj->object = old->object;
+  new_obj->type = old->type;
+  return new_obj;
+}
+static const gpr_avl_vtable avl_vtable = {
+    destroy_intptr, copy_intptr, compare_intptr, destroy_tracker, copy_tracker};
+
+void grpc_object_registry_init() {
+  gpr_mu_init(&g_mu);
+  g_avl = gpr_avl_create(&avl_vtable);
+}
+
+void grpc_object_registry_shutdown() {
+  gpr_avl_unref(g_avl, nullptr);
+  gpr_mu_destroy(&g_mu);
+}
+
+intptr_t grpc_object_registry_register_object(void* object,
+                                              grpc_object_registry_type type) {
+  object_tracker* tracker =
+      static_cast<object_tracker*>(gpr_malloc(sizeof(object_tracker)));
+  tracker->object = object;
+  tracker->type = type;
+  intptr_t prior = gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&g_uuid, 1);
+  gpr_mu_lock(&g_mu);
+  g_avl = gpr_avl_add(g_avl, (void*)prior, tracker, NULL);
+  gpr_mu_unlock(&g_mu);
+  return prior;
+}
+
+void grpc_object_registry_unregister_object(intptr_t uuid) {
+  gpr_mu_lock(&g_mu);
+  g_avl = gpr_avl_remove(g_avl, (void*)uuid, nullptr);
+  gpr_mu_unlock(&g_mu);
+}
+
+grpc_object_registry_type grpc_object_registry_get_object(intptr_t uuid,
+                                                          void** object) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(object);
+  gpr_mu_lock(&g_mu);
+  object_tracker* tracker =
+      static_cast<object_tracker*>(gpr_avl_get(g_avl, (void*)uuid, nullptr));
+  gpr_mu_unlock(&g_mu);
+  if (tracker == NULL) {
+    *object = NULL;
+    return GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_UNKNOWN;
+  }
+  *object = tracker->object;
+  return tracker->type;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h b/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3a0d056e2ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_CORE_LIB_SUPPORT_OBJECT_REGISTRY_H
+#define GRPC_CORE_LIB_SUPPORT_OBJECT_REGISTRY_H
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+typedef enum {
+  GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_CHANNEL,
+  GPRC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_SUBCHANNEL,
+  GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_UNKNOWN,
+} grpc_object_registry_type;
+
+void grpc_object_registry_init();
+void grpc_object_registry_shutdown();
+
+intptr_t grpc_object_registry_register_object(void* object,
+                                              grpc_object_registry_type type);
+void grpc_object_registry_unregister_object(intptr_t uuid);
+grpc_object_registry_type grpc_object_registry_get_object(intptr_t uuid,
+                                                          void** object);
+
+#endif /* GRPC_CORE_LIB_SUPPORT_OBJECT_REGISTRY_H */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.cc b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.cc
index cf5e8c2150d..e94413e3bcb 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.cc
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.cc
@@ -28,9 +28,11 @@
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/debug/stats.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/iomgr.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/support/string.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/api_trace.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/call.h"
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ typedef struct registered_call {
 } registered_call;
 
 struct grpc_channel {
+  intptr_t uuid;
   int is_client;
   grpc_compression_options compression_options;
   grpc_mdelem default_authority;
@@ -60,6 +63,8 @@ struct grpc_channel {
   gpr_mu registered_call_mu;
   registered_call* registered_calls;
 
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer;
+
   char* target;
 };
 
@@ -91,12 +96,16 @@ grpc_channel* grpc_channel_create_with_builder(
             grpc_error_string(error));
     GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
     gpr_free(target);
-    goto done;
+    grpc_channel_args_destroy(args);
+    return channel;
   }
 
   memset(channel, 0, sizeof(*channel));
+  channel->uuid = grpc_object_registry_register_object(
+      channel, GRPC_OBJECT_REGISTRY_CHANNEL);
   channel->target = target;
   channel->is_client = grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(channel_stack_type);
+  channel->tracer = NULL;
   gpr_mu_init(&channel->registered_call_mu);
   channel->registered_calls = nullptr;
 
@@ -186,14 +195,34 @@ grpc_channel* grpc_channel_create_with_builder(
           .enabled_stream_compression_algorithms_bitset =
           (uint32_t)args->args[i].value.integer |
           0x1; /* always support no compression */
+    } else if (0 ==
+               strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_CHANNEL_TRACING_MAX_NODES)) {
+      GPR_ASSERT(channel->tracer == NULL);
+      // max_nodes defaults to 10, clamped between 0 and 100.
+      const grpc_integer_options options = {10, 0, 100};
+      size_t max_nodes =
+          (size_t)grpc_channel_arg_get_integer(&args->args[i], options);
+      if (max_nodes > 0) {
+        channel->tracer = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, channel->uuid);
+      }
     }
   }
 
-done:
   grpc_channel_args_destroy(args);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      channel->tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("Channel created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, NULL);
   return channel;
 }
 
+char* grpc_channel_get_trace(grpc_channel* channel, bool recursive) {
+  return channel->tracer
+             ? grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(channel->tracer, recursive)
+             : NULL;
+}
+
+intptr_t grpc_channel_get_uuid(grpc_channel* channel) { return channel->uuid; }
+
 grpc_channel* grpc_channel_create(const char* target,
                                   const grpc_channel_args* input_args,
                                   grpc_channel_stack_type channel_stack_type,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
index 26d8fceb2f8..507013f4529 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_channel_get_reffed_status_elem(grpc_channel* channel,
 size_t grpc_channel_get_call_size_estimate(grpc_channel* channel);
 void grpc_channel_update_call_size_estimate(grpc_channel* channel, size_t size);
 
+char* grpc_channel_get_trace(grpc_channel* channel, bool recursive);
+intptr_t grpc_channel_get_uuid(grpc_channel* channel);
+
 #ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_channel_internal_ref(grpc_channel* channel, const char* reason);
 void grpc_channel_internal_unref(grpc_channel* channel, const char* reason);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/init.cc b/src/core/lib/surface/init.cc
index 0f40965f16c..a33b6de8b7e 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/init.cc
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/init.cc
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/profiling/timers.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/support/fork.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/support/thd_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/alarm_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/api_trace.h"
@@ -129,6 +130,7 @@ void grpc_init(void) {
     grpc_slice_intern_init();
     grpc_mdctx_global_init();
     grpc_channel_init_init();
+    grpc_object_registry_init();
     grpc_security_pre_init();
     grpc_core::ExecCtx::GlobalInit();
     grpc_iomgr_init();
@@ -177,6 +179,7 @@ void grpc_shutdown(void) {
       grpc_mdctx_global_shutdown();
       grpc_handshaker_factory_registry_shutdown();
       grpc_slice_intern_shutdown();
+      grpc_object_registry_shutdown();
       grpc_stats_shutdown();
     }
     grpc_core::ExecCtx::GlobalShutdown();
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
index aea0786890b..1e964cebce7 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ CORE_SOURCE_FILES = [
     'src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc',
     'src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc',
     'src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc',
+    'src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc',
     'src/core/lib/support/string.cc',
     'src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc',
     'src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc',
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ CORE_SOURCE_FILES = [
     'src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc',
     'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc',
     'src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc',
+    'src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc',
     'src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc',
     'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc',
     'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc',
diff --git a/test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc b/test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a5264774fb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+#include <grpc/support/useful.h>
+
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.h"
+
+#include "test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h"
+#include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
+
+static void add_simple_trace(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer) {
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("simple trace"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_FROM_STATIC_STRING("Error"), GRPC_CHANNEL_READY, NULL);
+}
+
+// checks for the existence of all the required members of the tracer.
+static void validate_tracer(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                            size_t expected_num_nodes_logged,
+                            size_t max_nodes) {
+  char* json_str = grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(tracer, true);
+  grpc_json* json = grpc_json_parse_string(json_str);
+  validate_channel_data(json, expected_num_nodes_logged,
+                        GPR_MIN(expected_num_nodes_logged, max_nodes));
+  grpc_json_destroy(json);
+  gpr_free(json_str);
+}
+
+// ensures the tracer has the correct number of children tracers.
+static void validate_children(grpc_channel_tracer* tracer,
+                              size_t expected_num_children) {
+  char* json_str = grpc_channel_tracer_render_trace(tracer, true);
+  grpc_json* json = grpc_json_parse_string(json_str);
+  validate_json_array_size(json, "children", expected_num_children);
+  grpc_json_destroy(json);
+  gpr_free(json_str);
+}
+
+static intptr_t uuid = 0;
+
+static void test_basic_channel_tracing(size_t max_nodes) {
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, uuid++);
+  grpc_core::ExecCtx exec_ctx;
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("trace three"),
+      grpc_error_set_int(GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_FROM_STATIC_STRING("Error"),
+                         GRPC_ERROR_INT_HTTP2_ERROR, 2),
+      GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, NULL);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(tracer,
+                                grpc_slice_from_static_string("trace four"),
+                                GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN, NULL);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 4, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 6, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 10, max_nodes);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer);
+}
+
+static void test_basic_channel_sizing() {
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(0);
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(1);
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(2);
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(6);
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(10);
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(15);
+}
+
+static void test_complex_channel_tracing(size_t max_nodes) {
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, uuid++);
+  grpc_core::ExecCtx exec_ctx;
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* sc1 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, uuid++);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel one created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc1);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 3, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  validate_tracer(sc1, 3, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  validate_tracer(sc1, 6, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 5, max_nodes);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* sc2 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(max_nodes, uuid++);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel two created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc2);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel one inactive"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc1);
+  validate_tracer(tracer, 7, max_nodes);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(sc1);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(sc2);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer);
+}
+
+static void test_complex_channel_sizing() {
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(0);
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(1);
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(2);
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(6);
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(10);
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(15);
+}
+
+static void test_delete_parent_first() {
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(3, uuid++);
+  grpc_core::ExecCtx exec_ctx;
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* sc1 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(3, uuid++);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel one created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc1);
+  // this will cause the tracer destructor to run.
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(sc1);
+}
+
+static void test_nesting() {
+  grpc_channel_tracer* tracer = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(10, uuid++);
+  grpc_core::ExecCtx exec_ctx;
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* sc1 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(5, uuid++);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel one created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc1);
+  // channel has only one subchannel right here.
+  validate_children(tracer, 1);
+  add_simple_trace(sc1);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* conn1 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(5, uuid++);
+  // nesting one level deeper.
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      sc1, grpc_slice_from_static_string("connection one created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, conn1);
+  validate_children(sc1, 1);
+  add_simple_trace(conn1);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+  grpc_channel_tracer* sc2 = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_CREATE(5, uuid++);
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel two created"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc2);
+  validate_children(tracer, 2);
+  // this trace should not get added to the parents children since it is already
+  // present in the tracer.
+  grpc_channel_tracer_add_trace(
+      tracer, grpc_slice_from_static_string("subchannel one inactive"),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE, sc1);
+  validate_children(tracer, 2);
+  add_simple_trace(tracer);
+
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(conn1);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(sc1);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(sc2);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_TRACER_UNREF(tracer);
+}
+
+int main(int argc, char** argv) {
+  grpc_test_init(argc, argv);
+  grpc_init();
+  test_basic_channel_tracing(5);
+  test_basic_channel_sizing();
+  test_complex_channel_tracing(5);
+  test_complex_channel_sizing();
+  test_delete_parent_first();
+  test_nesting();
+  grpc_shutdown();
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc b/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..805726ff166
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+#include <grpc/support/useful.h>
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/json/json.h"
+
+static grpc_json* get_json_child(grpc_json* parent, const char* key) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(parent != NULL);
+  for (grpc_json* child = parent->child; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
+    if (child->key != NULL && strcmp(child->key, key) == 0) return child;
+  }
+  return NULL;
+}
+
+void validate_json_array_size(grpc_json* json, const char* key,
+                              size_t expected_size) {
+  grpc_json* arr = get_json_child(json, key);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arr);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arr->type == GRPC_JSON_ARRAY);
+  size_t count = 0;
+  for (grpc_json* child = arr->child; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
+    ++count;
+  }
+  GPR_ASSERT(count == expected_size);
+}
+
+void validate_channel_data(grpc_json* json, size_t num_nodes_logged_expected,
+                           size_t actual_num_nodes_expected) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(json);
+  grpc_json* channel_data = get_json_child(json, "channelData");
+  grpc_json* num_nodes_logged_json =
+      get_json_child(channel_data, "numNodesLogged");
+  GPR_ASSERT(num_nodes_logged_json);
+  grpc_json* start_time = get_json_child(channel_data, "startTime");
+  GPR_ASSERT(start_time);
+  size_t num_nodes_logged =
+      (size_t)strtol(num_nodes_logged_json->value, NULL, 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(num_nodes_logged == num_nodes_logged_expected);
+  validate_json_array_size(channel_data, "nodes", actual_num_nodes_expected);
+}
diff --git a/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h b/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6a3eac98a91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/*
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 gRPC authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_TEST_CORE_UTIL_CHANNEL_TRACING_UTILS_H
+#define GRPC_TEST_CORE_UTIL_CHANNEL_TRACING_UTILS_H
+
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h"
+
+void validate_json_array_size(grpc_json* json, const char* key,
+                              size_t expected_size);
+
+void validate_channel_data(grpc_json* json, size_t num_nodes_logged_expected,
+                           size_t actual_num_nodes_expected);
+
+#endif /* GRPC_TEST_CORE_UTIL_CHANNEL_TRACING_UTILS_H */
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
index d09b325c97a..65bc771cf01 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
@@ -938,6 +938,7 @@ src/core/lib/backoff/backoff.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h \
+src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/context.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h \
@@ -1039,6 +1040,7 @@ src/core/lib/support/manual_constructor.h \
 src/core/lib/support/memory.h \
 src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h \
 src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h \
+src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h \
 src/core/lib/support/ref_counted.h \
 src/core/lib/support/ref_counted_ptr.h \
 src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h \
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
index 1aff0075a6a..4caa299a175 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
@@ -1040,6 +1040,8 @@ src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc \
 src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h \
+src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc \
+src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc \
 src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/context.h \
@@ -1305,6 +1307,8 @@ src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc \
 src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h \
 src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc \
 src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h \
+src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc \
+src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h \
 src/core/lib/support/ref_counted.h \
 src/core/lib/support/ref_counted_ptr.h \
 src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h \
diff --git a/tools/run_tests/generated/sources_and_headers.json b/tools/run_tests/generated/sources_and_headers.json
index 0fc5a25afd3..067bf438341 100644
--- a/tools/run_tests/generated/sources_and_headers.json
+++ b/tools/run_tests/generated/sources_and_headers.json
@@ -914,6 +914,23 @@
     "third_party": false, 
     "type": "target"
   }, 
+  {
+    "deps": [
+      "gpr", 
+      "gpr_test_util", 
+      "grpc", 
+      "grpc_test_util"
+    ], 
+    "headers": [], 
+    "is_filegroup": false, 
+    "language": "c", 
+    "name": "grpc_channel_tracer_test", 
+    "src": [
+      "test/core/channel/channel_tracer_test.cc"
+    ], 
+    "third_party": false, 
+    "type": "target"
+  }, 
   {
     "deps": [
       "gpr", 
@@ -7791,6 +7808,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/support/log_windows.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/support/mpscq.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.cc", 
+      "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string_posix.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string_util_windows.cc", 
@@ -7859,6 +7877,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/support/memory.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h", 
@@ -7908,6 +7927,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/support/memory.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/mpscq.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/murmur_hash.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/support/object_registry.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string.h", 
       "src/core/lib/support/string_windows.h", 
@@ -8002,6 +8022,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.cc", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.cc", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker_factory.cc", 
@@ -8158,6 +8179,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/context.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h", 
@@ -8297,6 +8319,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/channel_tracer.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/context.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h", 
@@ -8940,6 +8963,7 @@
       "test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.h", 
       "test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.h", 
       "test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.h", 
+      "test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h", 
       "test/core/util/debugger_macros.h", 
       "test/core/util/grpc_profiler.h", 
       "test/core/util/histogram.h", 
@@ -8967,6 +8991,8 @@
       "test/core/end2end/fixtures/proxy.h", 
       "test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.cc", 
       "test/core/iomgr/endpoint_tests.h", 
+      "test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.cc", 
+      "test/core/util/channel_tracing_utils.h", 
       "test/core/util/debugger_macros.cc", 
       "test/core/util/debugger_macros.h", 
       "test/core/util/grpc_profiler.cc", 
diff --git a/tools/run_tests/generated/tests.json b/tools/run_tests/generated/tests.json
index 5cf371190c9..82157d095bc 100644
--- a/tools/run_tests/generated/tests.json
+++ b/tools/run_tests/generated/tests.json
@@ -1223,6 +1223,30 @@
     ], 
     "uses_polling": false
   }, 
+  {
+    "args": [], 
+    "benchmark": false, 
+    "ci_platforms": [
+      "linux", 
+      "mac", 
+      "posix", 
+      "windows"
+    ], 
+    "cpu_cost": 1.0, 
+    "exclude_configs": [], 
+    "exclude_iomgrs": [], 
+    "flaky": false, 
+    "gtest": false, 
+    "language": "c", 
+    "name": "grpc_channel_tracer_test", 
+    "platforms": [
+      "linux", 
+      "mac", 
+      "posix", 
+      "windows"
+    ], 
+    "uses_polling": false
+  }, 
   {
     "args": [], 
     "benchmark": false,