6 Best Historical Chinese Dramas for Beginners
Since I was very young, I’ve been interested in learning more about Chinese culture and wanted to learn to speak and understand Mandarin. It just never happened because, you know, the 80s, lack of access, etc. And then, about two years ago, my best friend introduced me to the world of Chinese dramas. And I’ve been obsessed with c-dramas for almost two years. She started me off with the Story of Yanxi Palace. We watched several episodes together in Discord. And from there, I decided it was time for me to stop being scared Chinese would be too hard to learn and actually try to learn.
Although watching Chinese historical dramas isn’t the best way to learn Mandarin, combined with a beginner’s course on Coursera, and a language exchange app, helped me understand some spoken words. And more and more I began to rely less on subtitles. C-dramas also introduced me to pieces of Chinese history that we’re just not taught in the U.S.
If you’re looking to start watching Chinese historical dramas but don’t know where to start, these are the 5 best historical dramas for beginners.
Title: Story of Yanxi Palace
How Many Episodes: 70
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Palace Intrigue
Happy Ending: Yes
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime (via IMDB), iQiyi, Rakuten Viki
Story of Yanxi Palace or 延禧攻略 is a historical fiction drama based on the real-life consort of Emperor Qianlong. The story follows an intelligent, young palace maid, Wei Ying Luo in 18th century Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. Wei Ying Luo (played by Wu Jinyan) enters the palace to investigate the death of her sister. Wei Ying Luo outsmarts everyone in Emperor Qianlong’s court, forming a sister-like bond with the Empress and annoying the hell out of the Emperor.
Title: Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms/Eternal Love
How Many Episodes: 58
Genres: Romance, Fantasy
Happy Ending: Yes
Where to Watch: Netflix, WeTV/Tencent Video
Eternal Love or 三生三世十里桃花 is probably my favorite xianxia. It’s a love story that spans thousands of years. Bai Qian Qian (Yang Mi) is an immortal, Nine-Tailed Fox from the Qingqiu. She’s a highly respected goddess renowned throughout the world for her unparalleled beauty and for never being available.
The show starts when a family friend, High God, Zhe Yan disguises Bai Qian as a male immortal so that she can become a disciple of the God of War, Mo Yuan (Mark Chao—when I say this man is SO FINE!). Bai Qian trains thousands of years under Mo Yuan and ascends to godhood.
One of my favorite scenes from Eternal Love is when she’s confronted by her former maid who snaked her fiancé. Of course, being remorseful for what she had done, she attempted honied words on Bai Qian, calling her “sensible and principled.” How did Bai Qian respond? “I am not a sensible or principled god. You flatter me.”
This resonated with me because we are always expected to take the high road when someone does us dirty. “You’re better than that. Don’t stoop to their level. Be the better person.” I love that High Goddess Bai Qian says, “I’m really not above being petty.”
Title: The Legends
How Many Episodes: 56
Genres: Xianxia, Action, Romance
Happy Ending: Sort of
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, iQiyi
The Legends or 招摇 is a fun, exciting ride. After being betrayed by someone she looked up to, Lu Zhao Yao (Bai Li) becomes a ruthless demoness. She forms the Wanlu sect, gaining the reputation of being a powerful and fearsome leader. While attempting to retrieve the legendary Wan Jun Sword chaos ensues and she believes her confidant, Mo Qing/Li Chenlan (Xu Kai) betrayed her (even though it’s his father’s sword).
Title: The Untamed
How Many Episodes: 50
Genres: Xianxia, Supernatural, BL
Happy Ending: Yes
Where to Watch: Netflix, iQiyi, WeTV/Tencent, Viki
The Untamed or 陈情令 is based on the danmei novel, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. The story follows Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan), a talented cultivator who was resurrected 16 years after his tragic death. Though resurrected, Wei Wuxian is still tethered to his former life. While trying to solve the mystery of why he was brought back, he reminisces back to a simpler time, traveling to Gusu Lan Sect with his brother and sister to train with cultivators from the major sects. And it was there he met his soulmate, Lan Wangji (Wang Yi Bo).
Because of the popularity of the show, some favorites of The Untamed cast got a spinoff movie: Fatal Journey and The Living Dead. Even though the The Untamed novel is BL, the show isn’t exactly BL, due to censorship.
Title: The Rise of Phoenixes
How Many Episodes: 70
Genres: Historical Fiction, Palace Intrigue, Romance
Happy Ending: No
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Rise of Phoenixes or 天盛长歌 has one of the best ensemble performances I’ve seen across all markets. The story revolves around Ning Yi, the sixth prince of Tiansheng (Chen Kun). In order to clear his and the third prince’s name, Ning Yi disguises his intelligence behind a nonchalant façade. His arranged marriage to a colonel’s daughter leads him to cross paths with Feng Zhiwei (Ni Ni), whose real identity is unknown, even to her.
This list is only five of my many favorite shows and the ones that were easiest to watch while reading subtitles. Be careful. Though these shows are long, they are incredibly addictive—binge-able.
Title: Love Like the Galaxy
How Many Episodes: 56
Genres: Historical Fiction, Palace Intrigue, Romance
Happy Ending: Yes
Where to Watch: WeTV
Love Like the Galaxy or 星汉灿烂 is a very new historical drama that with such a beautiful and heart-wrenching love story. This story follows Chen Shaoshang played brilliantly by Zhao Lu Si and General Ling Bu Yi, with an exceptional performance by Wu Lei. Shaoshang’s parents went to war when she was just a baby, leaving her to be raised in a cruel and abusive environment by her grandmother and aunt. She had to learn to be diligent and hide her intelligence in order to protect herself as best as possible.
Shaoshang lacked love and care her whole life. So, when her parents returned it was difficult for them to connect. Her mother, being a military woman, thought only of disciplining her “unruly” child. Her father, though he wanted to spoil her, was restained by his hardcore wife. And then Shaoshang crosses paths with three men, who each fall in love with her.
Love Like the Galaxy is a roller coaster of emotions: lots of crying, laughing, warmth, and intrigue. And the performances! The entire cast was at the top of their game. This show was beautifully shot and directed. This really is a must-see drama.
