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, family disputes etc). Certainly NOT centered around Immortal Deities or Martial Art Heroes.
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Additionally, here's my list for more specified genres. Enjoy :)
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**MUST WATCH Outstanding Dramas = Ratings are 8 stars or more on MDL.
Red Raven Feb 6, 2024
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![Nirvana in Fire]()
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]()
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]()
Jiang Xue Ning’s obsession with becoming empress strains her friendship with Yan Lin and leads to the arrest of Official Zhang Zhe. After a brief reign, guilt takes hold as rebels, led ...more -
![A Dream of Splendor]()
Zhao Pan Er, a clever teahouse owner in Qiantang, embarks on a journey to the Capital, Bian Jing, after discovering her fiancé left her for another woman. Along the way, she saves ...more -
![Joy of Life]()
Fan Xian, born in the Southern Qing empire with memories of the 21st century, is the illegitimate son of the Minister of Finance. Raised by his grandmother after his mother, inventor Ye ...more -
![Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2]()
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]()
Li Ni, the emperor’s grandson, is stuck defending the border and dealing with a rebellion. Though royal, he’s always been neglected by his father and prefers life as a carefree general. On ...more -
![Story of Yanxi Palace]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
Set during the Ming Dynasty, the story follows the romance between General Xu Ling Yi and Shi Yi Niang, the concubine's daughter, who is chosen to marry him to save her declining ...more -
![Legend of the Dragon Pearl: The Indistinguishable Road]()
12. Legend of the Dragon Pearl: The Indistinguishable Road
Chinese Drama - 2017, 90 episodes175 points by 2 votersThe 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]()
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 -
![Perfect Match]()
During the Northern Song Dynasty under Renzong, Mrs. Li, from a wealthy Luoyang family, moves to Bianjing with her daughters, each unique in personality, to reunite with her second daughter and resolve ...more -
![The Double]()
Xue Fang Fei, the daughter of a wealthy magistrate, loses everything after a major upheaval. She’s saved by Jiang Li, the daughter of the Secretariat Director, and takes on Jiang Li’s identity ...more -
![A League of Nobleman]()
Zhang Ping, an impoverished orphan from a rural area, moves to Beijing to take the civil service exam but ends up selling noodles on the street. Despite his unsophisticated manners, he is ...more -
![Winter Begonia]()
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]()
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]()
A love story unfolds as the 9th Princess of Western Liang, Xiao Feng, is sent to the Central Plains to fulfill a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince. Forced to leave her ...more -
![The Princess Wei Young]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
Mu Zhuo Hua, an illegitimate woman, defies traditional roles by escaping her wedding and seeking a position as a female official. Along her journey, she meets Liu Yan, a battle-hardened general determined ...more -
![General's Lady]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
In the fictional Eastern Liang dynasty, circus performer Ye Ning Zhi is framed for treason by the ambitious grand princess, but strategist Wei Guang saves her, leading to a romance. Two years ...more -
![The Legend of Xiao Chuo]()
In the late 10th century, the Liao dynasty reigns supreme. Prime Minister Xiao Si Wen and Princess Yan’s youngest daughter, Xiao Chao, loves the ambitious Han De Rang, but is married off ...more -
![Prince of Lan Ling]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
Han Yun Xi, a skilled doctor and poison expert, is forced to marry into the royal family during a time of political turmoil among three kingdoms: Tian Ning, Western Zhou, and Northern ...more -
![Destined]()
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]()
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]()
Chu Jiu Ling, the daughter of the late emperor, discovers her uncle, the current emperor, is responsible for her father’s death. Seeking revenge, she attempts to assassinate him on her wedding day ...more -
![Court Lady]()
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]()
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 -
![Si Jin]()
Jiang Si, reborn after being killed by her lover Yu Jin, is determined to change her fate. She breaks off her engagement, outsmarts her cruel aunt, opens a perfumery, and investigates mysterious ...more -
![Everlasting Longing]()
To outsiders in the Yannan region and beyond, Jun Qi Luo is Jun Fei Fan, the illegitimate son of the family, at a time when women weren't considered anything but mere window ...more -
![The Glory]()
Abandoned as a child, Zhuang Han Yan grows up in the southern countryside before returning to her family in the capital. She catches the eye of Fu Yun Xi, a deputy minister ...more -
![The Rise of Ning]()
Despite being the first-born daughter of an official, Luo Yi Ning grew up being mistreated by her father's concubine. With help from Luo Shen Yuan, Yi Ning's estranged half-brother, she moves back ...more -
![Are You the One]()
The clever and decisive Liu Mian Tang, as the first lord of Yang Shan, led the people of Yang Shan to punish the wicked, promote goodness, and uphold justice. However, she suffered ...more -
![Flourished Peony]()
Set in the Tang Dynasty, the story follows He Wei Fang, a merchant's daughter skilled in cultivating rare peonies. With the help of Jiang Chang Yang, an official in Chang'an, she leaves ...more
