Chinese historical dramas have always been one of my favorite types of dramas to watch. The beautiful sceneries, compelling characters, intricate traditional costumes, and especially the OSTs are some of the aspects that make me want to come back to this genre again and again.
Over the years, I’ve watched countless period dramas, but only a select few have truly stood out and stayed with me long after the final episode. Here’s a curated list of them that I enjoyed the most and would definitely recommend to anyone who loves romance, action, fantasy, or palace dramas.
Image credits: Drama screenshots used under fair use for commentary and recommendation purposes.
Love and Redemption (琉璃)
Cheng Yi • Yuan Bing YanSet in a fantasy world with demons, gods, and cultivators, this drama makes you fall in love with historical fantasy dramas all over again. Everything about it is just beautiful. The acting, storyline, and OSTs are all immaculately done. The ML in this drama is so damn loyal and devoted to the FL that it pained me to watch the things both the leads went through. The heartache was real, folks, and God, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
Love between Fairy and Devil (苍兰诀)
Dylan Wang • Esther YuLove Between Fairy and Devil is a fantasy drama that's set in a magical world of fairies and demons. I don't wanna give spoilers, but it's just so freaking good. I laughed a lot. Heck, I feel like watching it while I'm writing this. The visuals are very pretty, the songs are a real vibe, and the acting is top-notch, which reminds me to tell y'all not to forget to watch the extra special episode after finishing this drama.
Eternal Love (三生三世十里桃花)
Mark Chao • Yang MiEternal Love is simply epic. It tells the story of a love that spans different lifetimes, filled with heartbreak, sacrifice, and fate. It features many prominent actors who made the characters truly memorable. The OSTs are beautiful, and the drama itself is very emotional. The chemistry between the leads is off the charts, so get into it only if you wanna be shaken to your core.
The Romance of Tiger and Rose (传闻中的陈芊芊)
Ding Yu Xi • Zhao Lu SiThe FL is a screenwriter whose drama plot gets rejected by the film lead because he says the plot doesn’t make sense and the characters don’t seem to fall in love naturally. So, he asks her to experience love first before writing the plot. That night, she angrily ends up rewriting the script, and she gets so exhausted that she falls asleep. The moment she wakes up next, she finds herself as the character who’s supposed to die that very same day, assassinated by the ML. Oh, the conundrum! This drama was so funny. I loved the actors’ pairing. They were so cute together. The way the FL navigated through the plots she wrote was simply genius. And the number of times I’ve watched this drama should be illegal. Bro, I’m still waiting for the second season.
Story of Kunning Palace (宁安如梦)
Zhang Ling He • Bail LuStory of Kunning Palace is a historical palace drama about a woman trying to change her fate through a second chance, set against intense court politics and power struggles. What I really liked about this drama was how serious and emotional the story felt without becoming boring.The leads did a really good job. I love an obsessed ML, and OH MY GOD, the song really suited him.
Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1 (星汉灿烂)
Leo Wu • Zhao Lu SiLove Like the Galaxy follows Cheng Shao Shang, who has lived with her abusive aunt and grandmother since childhood. But it all changes one day when her parents send for her. She anticipates meeting them, but they are cold towards her. She still decides to pave her own path, which attracts a very important royal. Leo Wu was so intense in this, and Zhao Lu Si really did amazing as per usual. The director was also so cute when he was shipping them. But not including the wedding scene was criminal.
The Long Ballad (长歌行)
Leo Wu• Dilraba DilmuratThe Long Ballad is one of those dramas that perfectly blends action, politics, friendship, and romance. The story follows Li Changge, a brave princess seeking revenge after her family is destroyed, but along the way she grows stronger and learns the true meaning of loyalty and leadership. With stunning cinematography, emotional moments, and powerful chemistry between the leads, this drama keeps you invested from start to finish. I also loved the entire cast, as every character added something special to the story.
Oh! My Emperor (哦！我的皇帝陛下)
Jason Gu • Zhao Lu SiA girl travels back in time and accidentally lands near the emperor in the middle of a water sports game. She gets mistaken for an assassin and is about to be executed when the emperor’s handsome yet very young uncle intervenes. Soon, she realizes everyone in the kingdom has powers based on their zodiac signs, and the most powerful people hold positions in court. She thinks she doesn’t have any powers but quickly gets pulled into palace politics anyway. This drama is as unserious as it gets. It had potential and could’ve been improved a lot, but clearly I have a preference because I’ve watched it way too many times. The multiple leads and their interactions with the FL are simply adorable. This drama has some really great songs, comedy, and acting. And don't forget to watch part 2!
Final Thoughts
Chinese historical dramas offer a wide variety of stories, from emotional fantasy romances to intense palace dramas and adventurous journeys. These dramas are some of my personal favorites because they left a strong impression on me with their storytelling, characters, and unforgettable moments.
If you are looking for Chinese historical dramas to start with, I highly recommend trying any of the ones on this list. Each one has something unique to offer, whether it's romance, action, comedy, or fantasy.
I’m always excited to discover new historical dramas, and I look forward to adding more favorites to this list in the future.
Have you watched any of these dramas?
Feel free to share your
favorite Chinese historical dramas. I would love to hear your
recommendations!
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