Let’s be real:Chinese dramashave a tendency to splurge on the aesthetics of the production, making these kinds of television shows some of the flashiest around. From stories that arecoming-of-age school dramasto modern romances set in high-rise offices across mainland China, there’s plenty to admire when it comes to Chinese drama aesthetics. However, it’s the historical dramas, specifically those set in Ancient China, that feature some of the most beautiful scenes found throughout the entertainment world, making these kinds of shows almost like movies that can be considered visual poetry.
Many historical dramas are set in a wide variety of periods, but those set before the historical period can be incredible to watch due to their eye for detail. These shows depict not only war and court life, but the relationships people built before we had technology to power our lives. Here are 10 dramas set in Ancient China, during this vast expanse of history, that everyone needs to watch at least once.
10A Dream of Splendor (2022)
Chen Xiao and Liu Yifei star in the 2022 C-dramaA Dream of Splendor, and it is one of many Chinese dramas that takes place during the ancient period of Chinese history. Depending on the version of the show you watch, there can either be 30 or 40 episodes, butA Dream of Splendoris known for its dramatic conflicts set during the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Its focus is on a woman who’s just trying to make it in a world ruled by men.
A Pleasant Historical Drama
Many Chinese television shows can be appreciated for their cinematography and design, andA Dream of Splendorcertainly doesn’t skimp out on these elements either. With interesting characters and plot, it’s worth watching at least once.Stream on Prime Video
9The Princess Weiyoung (2016)
In 2016’sThe Princess Weiyoung, Tiffany Tang stars as Feng Xin’er, the princess of the Northern Liang kingdom. After a coup occurs and her entire family is killed off, she flees, and ends up assuming the identity of her friend Weiyoung, who was killed in a different conflict. As she tries to navigate the world after the death of so many loved ones, she has to find her way through a new court, too.
Ripe with Conflict and Drama
Although thisChinese historical dramadoes have its problems, especially considering the novel it was based on is rumored to be plagiarized, it’s a pretty decent exploration of Ancient China. With a plot that features a strong woman lead, there are some points to admire when it comes to the show.Stream on Netflix
Related:10 Most Rewatchable Chinese Dramas, Ranked
8Story of Yanxi Palace (2018)
Story of Yanxi Palaceaired on Chinese television for a grand total of 70 episodes over the summer of 2018, making it one of the more popular dramas of that summer season. Its main character is Wei Yingluo, who was a real-life figure in Chinese history. She entered the Chinese court to investigate the mysterious death of her sister, but as the series shows, there’s a lot more hidden in the depths of people’s hearts.
Complex, But Worth It
One might need a small map to know each one of the characters seen throughout the course of the C-drama, but the technical and production value of the series is absolutely incredible. Featuring traditional Chinese arts, the actors vibrantly bring the story to life throughout each and every episode.Stream on Viki
7The Rebel Princess (2021)
The Rebel Princess, which is also known under the title ofMonarch Industry,stars Zhang Ziyiin its leading role. Set inside a fictional dynasty of Ancient Chinese history, Zhng portrays Wang Xuan, who is madly in love with her childhood friend and sweetheart. But because she is from the Wang clan, it changes her fate completely. She’s married to another, despite yearning for her first love.
Highly Convincing Romance
The romantic yearning between the female and male leads forms the crux of this historical drama, and it does this quite well. With excellent dialogue and visuals,The Rebel Princessstands out in the world of historical dramas.Stream on Prime Video
6Ashes of Love (2018)
Yang Zi and Deng Lun lead the C-dramaAshes of Love, which is based on a novel that came out almost a decade before the television series aired. At the series’ beginning, a flower deity gives birth, but curses her daughter after having a vision — she sees her daughter negatively impacted by love, so she takes that ability away. Millennia later, this is going to have some major consequences.
Addicting, Yet So Lovable
After watchingAshes of Love, many aren’t going to want to stop watching the next episode while starting it. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea at first, but, between its visual splendor and its unique perspective of Ancient China’s history, it certainly becomes endearing the more one watches.Stream on Viki
5Legend of Fuyao (2018)
Released in 2018,Legend of Fuyaohas become one of the more prominent Chinese dramas known around the world, especially in the historical genre. Yang Mi and Ethan Juan star. Set in the Five Kingdom period, Yang Mi portrays Fuyao, a woman born from a lotus petal. Once a servant, she wields an incredible way of fighting, which makes her a force that no one can stop. With it, she sets off on a great journey to find five artifacts that will break a seal on her.
Everything One Could Want in a C-Drama
Withelements of action, fantasy, and romance,Legend of Fuyaohas become a staple in the Chinese drama world. With a strong woman lead, it should be on everyone’s watch list if they want to watch more historical Chinese dramas set during the ancient period.Stream on Viki
4Empresses in the Palace (2011)
Empresses in the Palacecame out in 2011, but the novel it was based on originally was written by the Chinese author Liu Lanzi. In the television series, which is set in the midst of the Chinese court in the Qing Dynasty, a power struggle is happening. A new emperor has appeared, but this show’s focus is on a new concubine brought into the fold; one who will soon become the king’s favorite.
Scandal and Soap Operas
For those who have an appetite for drama,Empresses in the Palacecertainly has a little bit of everything. With many scenes and moments worth gasping and gossiping over, this show is a wild ride throughout.Stream on Viki
3The Story of Minglan (2018)
Released in 2018, like so many other historical dramas,The Story of Minglanis another series any fan of Chinese dramas needs to watch at least once. This show is set during the Northern Song Dynasty, and is based on a novel. In it, the main character, Sheng Minglan, is the sixth daughter of a government official. Struggling with her identity as the daughter of a concubine, she wishes for her biggest dreams to come true in the near future.
A Heartwarming Story
Many people love agood underdog story, and in this one, the main character isn’t seen favorably by her family. We can’t help but to root for her throughout the course of the series, especially when it comes to her hopes to better her own life as a young woman.Stream on Viki
Related:Best Chinese Fantasy Dramas, Ranked
2The Untamed (2018)
One of themore famous Chinese dramasin recent years, Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan lead the 2018 dramaThe Untamed. They portray two soulmates who are separated by death. One, Wei Wuxian, was killed 16 years prior to the present day due to his involvement with the dark arts. The other is shocked to see him resurrected after all of these years, leading to questions as to why he was ordered to die in the first place.
An Epic Story
The Untamedhas become popular because of its major LGBTQ+ subtext, and while the show makes everything platonic, the original danmei novel didn’t. There’s an intense chemistry between its two male leads, making it an interesting show to watch in comparison to other popular series in recent years.Stream on Netflix
1Nirvana in Fire (2015)
WhenNirvana in Firewas released in 2015, it would be the most popular Chinese drama at the time. Set in Ancient China, during the middle of war between the Liang and Northern Wei dynasties, the son of a general watches as his family is betrayed and killed. He narrowly survives, but throughout the course of the series, he chases after the same people who killed his family.
The Beauty of Recreating History
Although the characters in this series are fictional, the world of the show comes incredibly alive throughout its 54 episodes. With plenty of action and drama, it becomes pretty hard to be bored withNirvana in Fire.Stream on Viki
