Best romantic Chinese historical dramas | Lifestyle Asia India
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<i>Lost Love in Times</i> and 13 more best historical Chinese romance dramas to watch

Sometimes, when all the modern-day series make you feel saturated, a good historical drama can be a welcoming change. Here’s a list of the best titles if you love a good historical Chinese romance drama.

Over the recent past, Chinese dramas have been creating quite a wave in the Asian entertainment scene. With unique themes and layered characters, they know how to keep viewers glued to the screen. Additionally, swoon-worthy narratives infused with hints of mysticism and fantasy in dramas like Scarlet Heart (2011) and The Eternal Love (2017-) or lovebirds battling palace politics in Song of Phoenix (2017), there are more reasons than one behind why such historical romantic Chinese dramas make a realm in itself.

Every Chinese historical drama is also a window to the country’s age-old tradition. The ornate costumes, settings, brilliant cinematography, riveting plots and, of course, powerful performances by the cast not only bring the essence of the depicted time alive but also play with your heartstrings in a way that it is quite impossible to hit the pause button.

Additionally, each Chinese drama on the list has earned an IMDb rating of more than seven, implying they are loved by the audience.

If you fancy a trip to the ancient land of the Orient to soak in some period romance, look no further. This is your passport to a romantic getaway to a long-gone timeline.

Here are some of the best Chinese historical dramas with gorgeous romances at their core

IMDb rating: 7.1

Directed by: Lin Yu Fen, Liang Sheng Quan, Yu Cui Hua, Ren Hai Tao

Cast: Chan William,  Shi Shi Liu, Gong Jun

Episodes: 56

Duration of each episode: 45-50 minutes

Synopsis: Rooted in old customs and beliefs of the royal court, this historical romance drama revolves around Qing Chen (Shi Shi), a powerful sorceress with astounding healing abilities and Prince Yuan Ling (Chan). The magicians’ code dictates that they cannot develop feelings for any member of the royal family, or else a great disaster will befall them. Despite this, Qing and Yuan fall in love, and their attachment grows so strong that when Yuan ascends the throne, he decides to marry Qing. On the coronation day, violence descends and Qing uses her powers to travel back in time to thwart her relationship with the Yuan. But will she become successful or will their love triumph over all?

Image credit: Lost Love in Times/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 7.3

Directed by: Hsiao-Cheng Chang, Yang-Kuo Ting

Cast: Zhang Xin Yu, Ma Ke, Qiao Zhen Yu

Episodes: 72

Duration of each episode: 45-47 minutes

Synopsis: The story is based during the Warring States period (475-221 BC), an important chapter in Chinese history. Born into nobility, Qu Yuan (Ma) grows up to become a respected scholar. Despite social norms of the time forbidding interclass relationships, Qu falls in love with a beautiful slave named Mo Chou Nu (Zhang). They even decide to elope to start a new life and live happily. However, when political turmoils rise within the palace, Qu is torn between protecting his family and people on one hand and Mo on the other.

Trivia: This historical drama is based on Liang Zhenhua’s novel over the same name.

Image credit: Song of Phoenix/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 7.4

Directed by: Qiang Wu, Tak Yuen

Cast: Xing Zhao Lin, Liang Jie, Wang Rui Chang

Episodes: 54

Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes

Synopsis: This quirky Chinese drama showcases quite an unusual love triangle (or should we say a love square?). Qu Tan Er (Liang), the second daughter of the noble Qu family is in love with the King’s oldest son, Mo Yi Huai (Wang). However, she must marry his brother Mo Lian Cheng (Xing) of the Dong Yue Kingdom. Unable to find a way out, Qu attempts suicide. When she wakes up, Qu finds that the spirit of a cheerful girl, Xiao Tan (Liang), from modern times residing in her body, and a whirlwind of confusion ensues as Mo Lian ends up falling for Xiao.

Trivia: The Eternal Love is based on Fan Que’s novel Hilarious Pampered Consort: Lord I Will Wait for Your Divorce.

Image credit: The Eternal Love/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 7.5

Directed by: Zhu Shaojie

Cast: Zheng Ye Cheng, Yalkun Merxat, Yuan Bing Yan

Episodes: 22

Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes

Synopsis: Liu Ling (Yuan) is a haughty steadfast princess hailing from the ancient royal family who doesn’t acknowledge or care about the privileges she has. Often acting on whims and fancy, she even made several foes in the palace. On her birthday, Liu decides to get drunk in a private inn and falls asleep. Meanwhile, Shen Yan (Zheng), an injured imperial guard fleeing from attackers, takes refuge in her room. As the story progresses, Liu falls for this commander and tries to win him over, but he does not pay heed to her advances. Will he have a turn of heart?

Trivia: This historical drama is based on the web novel Wo De Jin Yi Wei Da Ren by Yi Ren Kui Kui.

Image credit: My Sassy Princess/ Viki Rakuten

IMDb rating: 7.5

Directed by: Xin Liu

Cast: Dilmurat Dilraba, Zhang Bin Bin, Yang Tong, Liu Chang

Episodes: 48

Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes

Synopsis: One of the best Chinese historical dramas from the war era, The King’s Woman follows Gong Sun Li (Dilmurat), the granddaughter and disciple of a powerful military commander of the land. She and the commander’s first disciple Jing Ke (Chang) have been in love since childhood. However, their happiness is short-lived when Qin soldiers attack their kingdom, and Jing is poisoned while protecting Gong. In an attempt to save the love of her life, the young girl, who is carrying Jing’s baby, decides to marry the Qin King, Ying Zheng (Zhang). Ying, who has always been smitten by Gong’s beauty, accepts the child as his own, and over time, his gentle and kind nature wins over Gong. But what will happen when Jing returns to the palace?

Trivia: This riveting Chinese historical drama is adapted from The Legend of Qin: Li Ji Story, a novel by Wen Shiren.

Image credit: The King’s Woman/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 7.5

Directed by: Li Hui Zhu, Deng Wei En, Liang Guo Guan

Cast: Zhao Li Ying, Chen Xiao

Episodes: 59

Duration of each episode: 30-35 minutes

Synopsis: Under the Chinese Northern Qi dynasty, social hierarchy and malevolent nobles made it impossible for a lady-in-waiting to join the ranks of a princess, but Lu Zhen (Zhao) defied all odds. She escaped from her arranged marriage and evil stepmother and entered the imperial palace as one such lady-in-waiting. Here, she meets Prince Gao Zhan (Xiao), and they fall in love. Although China’s ban on such a union doesn’t allow them to marry, a determined Lu uses her skills to rise through the ranks and even help the man of her life wade through palace politics. Eventually, Gao helped her become a female prime minister.

Trivia: One of the best Chinese historical dramas, Legend of Lu Zhen is based on Zhang Wei’s acclaimed novel Female Prime Minister.

Image credit: Legend of Lu Zhen/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 7.6

Directed by: Zeng Huang Wu and Jiang Tian Hang

Cast: Zhang Yue Nan, Yan Zi Xian, Fan Wei

Episodes: 24

Duration of each episode: 30-40 minutes

Synopsis: Since time immemorial, the cities of Mu Xi and Xuan Yue have been at loggerheads. On one hand, there is Ye Zhao Nan (Zhang), the only daughter of the lord of Mu Xi, who has forced her to lead the life of a boy as it is the only means by which she can inherit his position. On the other is Liu Xuan Ming (Yan), the lord of Xuan Yue. When Ye and Liu cross paths, will love and romance blossom amidst adversaries?

Image credit: My Uncanny Desire/ Viki Rakuten

IMDb rating: 7.6

Directed by: Wu Qi Ang

Cast: Tang Min, Wu Ceasar

Episodes: 30

Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes

Synopsis: This Chinese historical romance drama follows the life of Shen Jin (Tang) who is born into nobility and has all the fine luxuries at her disposal. When the Emperor arranges her marriage with the highly successful and revered Army General Chu Xiu Ming (Wu), she must live in the military camp with him. Although she falls in love with Chu, she finds it tough to adapt to the new life. As the new couple settles down, a shift in the power equation at the palace threatens to draw a wedge in their relationship.

Image credit: General’s Lady

IMDb rating: 7.8

Created by: Jian Qin

Cast: Tang Tiffany, Luo Jin

Episodes: 54

Duration of each episode: 40-45 minutes

Synopsis: The blissful and protected life of Princess Feng Xin Er (Tang) from Northern Liang was violently disrupted when her entire family was massacred by the power-thirsty Northern Wei dynasty. She narrowly escapes death and vows to take revenge. The princess, under the garb of being dead, assumes the identity of the Wei Prime Minister’s late daughter Li Weiyoung and enters the palace. She does everything possible to bring the reigning family down while risking being revealed. In the process, Feng falls in love with the valiant Prince Tuo Ba Jun (Jin) from the enemy clan. Amidst all the whirlwind of politics, passion and plotting, will she be able to achieve her goal?

Trivia: This Chinese drama is adapted from Qin’s novel The Princess Wei Yang.

Image credit: The Princess Weiyoung/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 8

Directed by: Wu Jin Yuan, Lin Yu Fen and Deng Wei En

Cast: Kevin Cheng, Shi Shi Liu, Damian Lau

Episodes: 35

Duration of each episode: 49-50 minutes

Synopsis: A car accident transports Zhang Xiao (Shi Shi) to the Qing dynasty of ancient China where she is Maertai Rouxi, the daughter of a Manchu general. When Zhang realises there is no hope of returning to modern times, she tries to adapt to life at the imperial court of Emperor Kangxi (Lau) and gets romantically involved with the princes battling to ascend the throne. As love, friendship, betrayal and palace politics reign supreme, Zhang uses her 21st-century ideas to shape the future of the Qing dynasty.

Trivia: This Chinese period drama is based on the novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua.

Image credit: Scarlet Heart/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 8.1

Directed by: Kaizhou Zhang

Cast: Feng Shao Feng, Zhao Li Ying

Episodes: 73

Duration of each episode: 49-50 minutes

Synopsis: The story takes place during the rule of the Northern Song dynasty. Despite being part of the nobility, Sheng Ming Lan’s (Zhao) life was wrought with hardships at the hands of her half-sisters and legal mother. Toughened by years of struggle, she now seeks to avenge her mother’s death. In the meantime, Sheng comes across Gu Ting Ye (Feng), the cheerful and straightforward second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, and they fall in love. The couple join hands to overcome all adversaries and seek justice against those who have wronged them.

Awards won: In 2020, this historical drama won Best TV Series and Ying won Audience’s Choice for Actress at the Golden Eagle Awards. The year before that, it had bagged six awards at The Actors of China, along with other accolades.

Image credit: The Story of Ming Lan/ IMDb

IMDb rating: 8.1

Directed by: Hui Kai Dong and Wen De Guang

Cast: Wu Jin Yan, Nie Yuan, Xu Kai

Episodes: 70

Duration of each episode: 45-47 minutes

Synopsis: Set in the 18th century during the Qing dynasty, this romantic period Chinese drama follows Wei Ying Luo (Wu) as she infiltrates the Forbidden City as a palace maid. With the agenda to seek answers for her sister’s death, she begins to work at Emperor Qianlong’s (Nie) court. She suspects the imperial guard Fucha Fu Heng (Xu) and gets close to his sister who teaches her ways of royal life. In the process, Wei falls in love with him. But what happens when the Emperor takes a liking towards her and makes Wei a concubine in his harem?

Awards won: At the 2018 Chinese American Film Festival, the show was awarded Outstanding TV Series while Lan and Lawrence Wong won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor. The same year, it won Best TV Series at the Hengdian Film Festival of China as well.

Trivia: Did you know that such was the popularity and hype of Story of Yanxi Palace that it became Google’s most searched show in 2018?

IMDb rating: 8.3

Directed by: Kuk Kok-Leung, Wang Haiqi

Cast: Luo Yun Xi, Bai Lu

Episode: 40

Duration of each episode: 50-60 minutes

Synopsis: Way back in history, the show is set in a time when demons roamed free and dominated mortal cultivators and humans. In this realm, the ferocious demon lord Tan Tai Jin (Luo) is the greatest of them all. After living under his threat for centuries, the people decided to send an enchanting woman back in time to destroy the prince before he could resurrect as the demon. Li Susu (Bai) takes on the responsibility. She shall pose as his wife and seize the opportunity to carry out the task. But when she meets him and gets to know his past, love begins to bloom and things become complicated.

Trivia: One of the best Chinese historical romance dramas of 2023, Till the End of the Moon earned Luo Yun Xi mainstream fame. He won Outstanding Asian Star at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Directed by: Steve Cheng, Chan Ka Lam

Cast: Xiao Zhan, Wang Yi Bo

Episodes: 50

Synopsis: During the rule of the Wen clan, a young hedonist man, Wei Wu Xian (Xiao) befriends the strong-headed and righteous Lan Wang Ji (Wang). The two develop a strong attachment and together discover that the rulers are responsible for a series of horrifying incidents affecting their land. As they probe deep, Wei suddenly goes missing. However, he returns after 16 years, and the two are reunited in the wake of a string of heinous murders. How will this affect their relationship?

Trivia: Ranked among the best Chinese historical dramas, The Untamed is based on the queer romance novel Mo Dao Zu Shi or The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Boy’s Love (BL) author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

Image credit: The Untamed/ IMDb

(Hero image credit: The Untamed/ IMDb; Feature image credit: The King’s Woman/ IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-Which is the best Chinese historical romance drama?

Some of the best Chinese historical romance dramas include Story of Yanxi Palace, The Eternal Love, The King’s Woman and Till The End of the Moon.

<i>Lost Love in Times</i> and 13 more best historical Chinese romance dramas to watch

Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.

     
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