Must Watch 'Historical' Chinese Drama!

Please only include your favourite 'NON-Xianxia or Wuxia' Chinese Dramas.

These C-dramas are either loosely based on or inspired by historical events with a more serious undertone (Palace intrigue, politics, harems etc). Certainly not centered around Immortal Heroes or Martial Heroes.

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Additionally, here's my list for more specified genres. Enjoy :)

Red Raven Feb 6, 2024
39 Titles Love
0% Watched
10 Voters Report
  • Nirvana in Fire

    1. Nirvana in Fire

    Chinese Drama - 2015, 54 episodes
    9.1
    399 points by 4 voters
    In sixth-century China, the Emperor of Great Liang orders the unjust execution of his brother-in-law Marshal Lin Xie alongside the Lin family, his 70,000 army soldiers, and Crown Prince Qi. Secretly surviving ...more
  • Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1

    2. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes
    9.0
    300 points by 3 voters
    Ling Bu Yi, the foster son of Emperor Wen and a talented & ruthless general of the Black Armour Army, was on a personal mission to uncover hidden truths about the past, ...more
  • Story of Kunning Palace

    3. Story of Kunning Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
    8.7
    293 points by 3 voters
    Jiang Xue Ning's unrelenting desire to become empress eventually strains her bond with her childhood friend Yan Lin and leads to the arrest of the noble Official Zhang Zhe. Guilt and remorse ...more
  • A Dream of Splendor

    4. A Dream of Splendor

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
    8.5
    279 points by 3 voters
    Zhao Pan Er, is a smart and savvy teahouse owner in Qiantang, living alongside her two best friends Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang. When she finds out her fiancé left ...more
  • Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2

    5. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 29 episodes
    9.0
    198 points by 2 voters
    After a series of twists and turns, Cheng Shao Shang and Ling Bu Yi are engaged to be married by Imperial consent and decree. However, they still have many hurdles to overcome. ...more
  • Wonderland of Love

    6. Wonderland of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
    8.5
    194 points by 2 voters
    "Wonderland of Love" follows the story of the emperor's grandson Li Ni, who guards the border and is forced to take on the responsibility of quelling the rebellion. Although Li Ni is ...more
  • Story of Yanxi Palace

    7. Story of Yanxi Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
    8.8
    194 points by 2 voters
    In 18th century Beijing, during the 6th year of Qianlong Emperor's reign, Wei Ying Luo enters the Forbidden City as an embroiderer to investigate the truth behind her older sister's rape and ...more
  • The Rise of Phoenixes

    8. The Rise of Phoenixes

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
    8.4
    190 points by 2 voters
    Feng Zhi Wei is the unfavored daughter of the Qiu Family, who has to flee due to unfortunate circumstances. Owing a favour to the 6th prince Ning Yi, Zhi Wei cross-dresses as ...more
  • The Long Ballad

    9. The Long Ballad

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
    8.6
    183 points by 2 voters
    In the year 626 C.E., the Tang Dynasty faces upheaval following the successful Xuanwu Gate Incident, a coup orchestrated by a cunning prince. During the chaos, Li Chang Ge's family is slaughtered, ...more
  • The Sword and the Brocade

    10. The Sword and the Brocade

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes
    8.3
    181 points by 2 voters
    Set during the Ming Dynasty, the story revolves around the romance between General Xu Ling Yi and the concubine's daughter Shi Yi Niang, that starts from an arranged marriage. Despite being born ...more
  • Legend of the Dragon Pearl: The Indistinguishable Road

    11. Legend of the Dragon Pearl: The Indistinguishable Road

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 90 episodes
    7.6
    175 points by 2 voters
    The story of the ill-fated romance between Zhu Yi Huan, the last princess of the Ming Dynasty and Kangxi, the young emperor of the Qing Dynasty. (Source: TheTVDB.com)
  • The Wolf

    12. The Wolf

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 49 episodes
    8.0
    171 points by 2 voters
    A young boy brought up by wolves falls in love with a young Ma Zhai Xing, the daughter of a general and noble lord. Wrongly accused of killing the godbrother of the ...more
  • A League of Nobleman

    13. A League of Nobleman

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 29 episodes
    8.3
    100 points by 1 voters
    Zhang Ping is an impoverished orphan who comes from a provincial part of the country. He came to Beijing in an attempt to take the civil service entrance examination but had to ...more
  • Joy of Life

    14. Joy of Life

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 46 episodes
    9.0
    100 points by 1 voters
    Fan Xian is born in the ancient empire of Southern Qing with memories of the 21st century. He lives in a rural town as the illegitimate son of the Minister of Finance, ...more
  • Winter Begonia

    15. Winter Begonia

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 49 episodes
    8.6
    99 points by 1 voters
    A story that revolves around a Peking opera performer and a wealthy businessman who are brought together by their love for Peking opera. Set in the 1930's, it follows Shang Xi Rui, ...more
  • The Story of Ming Lan

    16. The Story of Ming Lan

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 78 episodes
    8.8
    97 points by 1 voters
    Set in the Northern Song dynasty, the story follows Sheng Ming Lan, an unfavored concubine-born 6th daughter of an official. After losing her mother at a young age, Ming Lan is raised ...more
  • Good Bye, My Princess

    17. Good Bye, My Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 52 episodes
    8.2
    94 points by 1 voters
    A love story revolves around the 9th Princess of Western Liang as she journeys to the Central Plains to fulfill a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince. Having received overwhelming love and ...more
  • The Princess Wei Young

    18. The Princess Wei Young

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
    8.3
    93 points by 1 voters
    The Northern Wei Dynasty was obliterated one night leaving behind the kindhearted Princess Feng Xin Er as an orphan. Although she escapes death, she accidentally enters her enemy's territory and she assumes ...more
  • The King's Woman

    19. The King's Woman

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes
    7.8
    91 points by 1 voters
    Gong Sun Li is the granddaughter and disciple of military commander Gong Sun Yu. Jing Ke (first disciple) and Sun Li are childhood lovers and were forced to escape when Qin troops ...more
  • The Legend of Hao Lan

    20. The Legend of Hao Lan

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 62 episodes
    7.7
    90 points by 1 voters
    During the Warring States Period, Li Hao Lan is forced out of her own home and sold as a slave despite being the daughter of the Public Censor of Zhao. Purchased by ...more
  • Royal Feast

    21. Royal Feast

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
    7.9
    89 points by 1 voters
    Set during the Ming dynasty during the rule of the Yongle Emperor, it tells the story of a young girl named Yao Zi Jin, who entered the palace to become a maid ...more
  • The Legend of Zhuohua

    22. The Legend of Zhuohua

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
    8.2
    88 points by 1 voters
    It tells the love story of a woman who overcomes many trials to become a female official, and a general who has weathered many hardships in his road to victory. Despite being ...more
  • General's Lady

    23. General's Lady

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 30 episodes
    8.2
    87 points by 1 voters
    A notorious general and an aristocrat's daughter hold each other's hands to spend a lifetime together while protecting what's precious to them. Shen Jin grew up as the unfavored daughter of a ...more
  • Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures

    24. Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
    7.4
    86 points by 1 voters
    A determined Qing dynasty princess contends with palace intrigue and a vendetta against her family while navigating the treacherous terrain of romance. (Source: Netflix)
  • The Virtuous Queen of Han

    25. The Virtuous Queen of Han

    Chinese Drama - 2014, 47 episodes
    7.6
    83 points by 1 voters
    As a lowly servant's daughter, Wei Zi Fu does not have many means, yet she is undeniably beautiful and virtuous. When she is later recruited to entertain Princess Ping Yang, she immediately ...more
  • Legend of Mi Yue

    26. Legend of Mi Yue

    Chinese Drama - 2015, 81 episodes
    8.1
    82 points by 1 voters
    Mi Yue, daughter of King Wei of Chu, was the first stateswoman in the history of China. The drama details her turbulent life, as Mi Yue becomes a concubine, gets separated her ...more
  • Legend of the Phoenix

    27. Legend of the Phoenix

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 41 episodes
    7.8
    81 points by 1 voters
    Set in the fictional Eastern Liang dynasty, circus performer Ye Ningzhi’s troupe enters the palace and stages a performance to celebrate the empress dowager’s birthday. The ambitious grand princess (emperor’s sister) decides ...more
  • The Legend of Xiao Chuo

    28. The Legend of Xiao Chuo

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 48 episodes
    7.6
    78 points by 1 voters
    Late in the 10th century, the Liao dynasty was at the zenith of its power. The omnipotent Liao ruled much of what is now Northeast China, Mongolia, Russia, and the Korean Peninsula. ...more
  • Prince of Lan Ling

    29. Prince of Lan Ling

    Chinese Drama - 2013, 46 episodes
    8.1
    77 points by 1 voters
    A prophecy foretold that victory goes to the one who has the priestess' blessing. Yang Xue Wu, the last priestess of her clan, unwittingly embroiled in a war between Northern Qi and ...more
  • The Song of Glory

    30. The Song of Glory

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 53 episodes
    7.8
    75 points by 1 voters
    Set in the Liu Song Dynasty (420-479), with powerful aristocrats clamoring for power, the people of the Liu Song Empire have succumbed to the ensuing chaos. Desperate to bring peace to his ...more
  • Princess Silver

    31. Princess Silver

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 58 episodes
    8.0
    74 points by 1 voters
    Crown Princess Rong Le of Western Qi awakens with amnesia and doubts about her identity. To secure a political alliance, she is ordered to marry Prince Wu You, but he rejects her. ...more
  • General and I

    32. General and I

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 62 episodes
    7.9
    73 points by 1 voters
    In a world ravaged by war, the four great nations, Jin, Yan, Liang and Qin, are ceaseless in their pursuit of power and ultimate domination. In the midst of this endless conflict, ...more
  • Maiden Holmes

    33. Maiden Holmes

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
    8.3
    72 points by 1 voters
    It is the sixth century CE and the Qi Kingdom, in what is now Eastern China, is a land at war. The young teenage prince Xiao Yan Zhi, a prodigal young military ...more
  • Legend of Yun Xi

    34. Legend of Yun Xi

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 48 episodes
    8.1
    71 points by 1 voters
    The story follows a lady doctor called Han Yun Xi, who marries into the royal family and gets caught in the political machinations in the palace whilst she falls into a romance ...more
  • Destined

    35. Destined

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
    8.4
    70 points by 1 voters
    Liu Yu Ru is the only legitimate daughter of a former cloth merchant living a stoic life with her mother in a household where they're mistreated despite their status. Due to a ...more
  • Unchained Love

    36. Unchained Love

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
    7.9
    69 points by 1 voters
    During the Longhua period, eunuch Xiao Duo plotted with Fu Wang to help him sit on the throne. Bu Yin Lou was supposed to be buried with the late Emperor, but she ...more
  • Jun Jiu Ling

    37. Jun Jiu Ling

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
    8.2
    68 points by 1 voters
    Chu Jiu Ling is the daughter of the late emperor who discovers her uncle, the current emperor, to be responsible for her late father’s demise. Wishing to avenge his death, she chooses ...more
  • Court Lady

    38. Court Lady

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 55 episodes
    7.8
    67 points by 1 voters
    Born into privilege as the son of one of the founding pillars of the Tang Empire, Sheng Chu Mo has never had any desire to do more than enjoy the ease of ...more
  • Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

    39. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 87 episodes
    8.4
    66 points by 1 voters
    The road to becoming an empress is paved with treachery. Ru Yi is a consort who quickly learns to navigate the treacherous politics of the royal court and move up the ranks. ...more

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