Strong Female Leads in Chinese Dramas

Strength comes in many forms: intelligence, skills, martial arts, kindness, etc.

I've watched all these dramas, and they vary in strength of the female leads. I keep thinking of adding more, but I'm unsure of how "strong" the female leads should be for this list. So, if you're looking for good Chinese dramas with strong female leads, I'd suggest to go by rating first.

Thanks and enjoy!

ebm Nov 10, 2020
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  • A Girl Like Me

    1. A Girl Like Me

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes

    10

    Ban Hua has a horrible reputation, but she doesn't care one bit.

  • A Journey to Meet Love

    2. A Journey to Meet Love

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 52 episodes

    8.0

    Xin Yue sets out to reclaim what's hers and find out the truth of her father's death.

  • An Oriental Odyssey

    3. An Oriental Odyssey

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes

    7.0

    Yuan An fights for justice and solves cases, but what will happen when the one closest to her betrays her?

  • Arsenal Military Academy

    4. Arsenal Military Academy

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes

    8.0

    Xie Xiang impersonates her brother, Xie Liang Chen, at the Arsenal Military Academy to fight against the Japanese.

  • Ban Shu Legend

    5. Ban Shu Legend

    Chinese Drama - 2015, 42 episodes

    8.5

    Ban Shu travels from the grasslands to the city to search for her family, and be recognized by them.

  • Chef Fang

    6. Chef Fang

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Yi Shao is forced to marry a "bad boy," but she slowly changes him into a great man.

  • Chef Hua

    7. Chef Hua

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Xiao Mai loves to cook and works hard to make her dreams come true whilst falling in love along the way. Watching this makes me want to cook delicious food too!

  • Eternal Love

    8. Eternal Love

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes

    10

    In each of her lives, Bai Qian/Si Yin/Su Su is clear about her love and hate.

  • Fake Princess

    9. Fake Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 27 episodes

    8.5

    Chang Le is forced to get married to protect those she loves.

  • General and I

    10. General and I

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 62 episodes

    8.0

    Ping Ting is a brilliant military strategist who falls in love with the "enemy."

  • I've Fallen for You

    11. I've Fallen for You

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    8.5

    San Qi solves cases while looking for her childhood friend/brother.

  • In a Class of Her Own

    12. In a Class of Her Own

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Wen Xi disguises as her brother, Wen Bin, to make money and somehow gets roped into attending an all male academy.

  • Empresses in the Palace

    13. Empresses in the Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2012, 76 episodes

    6.5

    Zhen Huan adapts to palace life and becomes one of the most powerful women in the harem.

  • Legend of Fu Yao

    14. Legend of Fu Yao

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 66 episodes

    9.5

    Fu Yao sets out to find out where she comes from.

  • Legend of Lu Zhen

    15. Legend of Lu Zhen

    Chinese Drama - 2013, 59 episodes

    8.5

    Lu Zhen sets out to get justice. She works her way up to become the first female prime minister.

  • Legend of the Phoenix

    16. Legend of the Phoenix

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 41 episodes

    8.0

    Ning Zhi's smarts, skills, and kindness help her to protect the country. Sometimes men are stupid.

  • Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos

    17. Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes

    8.0

    Yu Zhan is smart and strategically evades the dangers of politics and royalty.

  • Lost Love in Times

    18. Lost Love in Times

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 56 episodes

    8.5

    Qing Chen resets time to prevent a major mishap from occurring, but everything is different...

  • Love Is Sweet

    19. Love Is Sweet

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Jiang Jun is allergic to her tears and could die if she cries, so she had to learn how to be strong.

  • Love of Thousand Years

    20. Love of Thousand Years

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 30 episodes

    7.0

    Qin Chuan/Ah Man plans to get revenge for the murder of her family.

  • Maiden Holmes

    21. Maiden Holmes

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Su Ci is a brilliant detective that sets out to clear her family's name.

  • Mengfei Comes Across

    22. Mengfei Comes Across

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 36 episodes

    7.0

    Bu Meng doesn't want anything but to survive life as a concubine, and the only way to do that is to not be in favor with the King.

  • Miss Truth

    23. Miss Truth

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Ran Yan is an expert coroner, trying to figure out the real cause of her mother's death.

  • My Dear Destiny

    24. My Dear Destiny

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    7.0

    Qi Qi is a witch that awakens as Chou Qing Li, a concubine. Without her powers, she must now navigate the harem whilst battling against hidden evil forces.

  • No Boundary

    25. No Boundary

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

    7.5

    Duan Mu Cui is an immortal who descends to the mortal realm to vanquish harmful demons.

  • No Boundary Season 2

    26. No Boundary Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

    8.0

    The story  continues for Duan Mu Cui in season 2.

  • Ode to Joy

    27. Ode to Joy

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 42 episodes

    9.0

    5 very different women coming together to become better versions of themselves. They all live on the same floor of an apartment complex called "Ode to Joy."

  • Ode to Joy Season 2

    28. Ode to Joy Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 55 episodes

    9.0

    The story continues for these 5 women in season 2.

  • Oh My General

    29. Oh My General

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 60 episodes

    9.0

    Ye Zhao is a female general that gets married.

  • Princess Agents

    30. Princess Agents

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 67 episodes

    8.5

    Xing'er/Chu Qiao, with her memories lost, struggles to survive in a cruel world.

  • Princess Silver

    31. Princess Silver

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 58 episodes

    8.5

    With no recollection of her past, Rong Le/Man Yao struggles between her duty to her country and her love.

  • Queen Dugu

    32. Queen Dugu

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes

    7.0

    Jia Luo wants revenge for her family's demise. Eventually, she becomes Empress.

  • Rookie Agent Rouge

    33. Rookie Agent Rouge

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 45 episodes

    9.0

    Yan Zhi becomes a spy to fight against the Japanese.

  • Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

    34. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 87 episodes

    8.0

    Ruyi's only goal is to maintain her love.

  • Skate Into Love

    35. Skate Into Love

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes

    9.5

    Tang Xue reconnects with her passion, speed skating.

  • Sound of the Desert

    36. Sound of the Desert

    Chinese Drama - 2014, 35 episodes

    8.5

    Yu Jin/Jin Yu travels from the desert to Chang'an and makes a name for herself.

  • Story of Yanxi Palace

    37. Story of Yanxi Palace

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes

    10

    Ying Luo enters the palace to find out what happened to her sister and exact revenge.

  • The Brightest Star in the Sky

    38. The Brightest Star in the Sky

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 44 episodes

    7.5

    Zhen Zhen manages an unruly singer, making him a better person and artist.

  • The Empress of China

    39. The Empress of China

    Chinese Drama - 2014, 96 episodes

    8.0

    Wu Zetian's rise to becoming the only female emperor.

  • The Imperial Coroner

    40. The Imperial Coroner

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes

    8.0

    If Chu Chu can't find the cause of death, no one can.

  • The Imperial Doctress

    41. The Imperial Doctress

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 50 episodes

    7.5

    Yun Xian's excellent medical skills get her into the palace.

  • The Journey of Flower

    42. The Journey of Flower

    Chinese Drama - 2015, 58 episodes

    8.5

    Qian Gu becomes a strong and powerful fighter, never forgetting where she came from.

  • The King's Woman

    43. The King's Woman

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes

    7.0

    Gong Sun Li is forced to marry the King to protect her lover. She eventually falls in love with the King, but never forgets about the common people's suffering.

  • The Legend of Dugu

    44. The Legend of Dugu

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 55 episodes

    8.5

    Ban Ruo is assertive, smart, and ambitious. She will do anything to become queen and realize the prophecy "The World of Dugu." Man Tuo is cunning and selfish, and will do anything for wealth and status because her mother was a concubine. Jia Luo is clever and kind; she cares for her family and the people.

  • The Legend of Hao Lan

    45. The Legend of Hao Lan

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 62 episodes

    8.0

    Hao Lan's struggle to survive and become stronger.

  • The Legends

    46. The Legends

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes

    8.5

    Zhao Yao was once one of the strongest martial artists, known for being evil, but she wasn't always like that. After she "dies," she comes back for vengeance.

  • The Long Ballad

    47. The Long Ballad

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes

    10

    Chang Ge/Shi Si struggles to survive in order to get revenge, but also save the people from suffering.

  • The Moon Brightens for You

    48. The Moon Brightens for You

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Qing Hong's journey to become a great martial arts master and to fight for what is right.

  • The Rebel Princess

    49. The Rebel Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 68 episodes

    8.5

    Wang Xuan may be a princess, but she quickly learns that family was not what she thought it was. She uses her wisdom to protect her country and people.

  • The Romance of Hua Rong

    50. The Romance of Hua Rong

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes

    9.0

    Hua Rong uses her intelligence to help others on her journey to become a heroine.

  • The Song of Glory

    51. The Song of Glory

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 53 episodes

    8.0

    Li Ge fights for the people and against the cruelty and hypocrisy of royalty and nobles.

  • The Story of Ming Lan

    52. The Story of Ming Lan

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 78 episodes

    10

    Ming Lan is a clever girl, just trying to survive. If you don't mess with her, she won't mess with you.

  • The Sword and the Brocade

    53. The Sword and the Brocade

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes

    8.5

    Shi Yi gets married in order to find out the truth behind her mother's murder.

  • The Virtuous Queen of Han

    54. The Virtuous Queen of Han

    Chinese Drama - 2014, 47 episodes

    7.0

    Zi Fu wins everyone over with her kindness.

  • To Get Her

    55. To Get Her

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 30 episodes

    8.5

    Zheng Zheng/Zhen'er enters a video game set in ancient times to save her boyfriend, but he has no memories of her and even hates her.

  • Under the Power

    56. Under the Power

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 55 episodes

    9.0

    Jin Xia is an intelligent constable, who ends up figuring out where she comes from.

  • Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures

    57. Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 6 episodes

    8.0

    Zhao Hua (Ying Luo's daughter from Story of Yanxi Palace) struggles to get married. Her arrogance masks her fragility, but that doesn't mean you can mess with her.

  • Your Highness, the Class Monitor

    58. Your Highness, the Class Monitor

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes

    7.5

    Nian Nian helps her classmates become better versions of themselves.

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