20 Best Historical Costume Chinese Drama

Tencent

Yang Xiao Xiao (actress not specified), a 26-year-old struggling with modern beauty standards, unexpectedly time-travels to the Tang Dynasty after wishing to escape her current life. She finds herself in the body of Yuan Wan Er (Li Zi Xuan), a frail young woman who has been unable to attract suitors. Excited by the opportunity to experience a time where her body type is celebrated, Xiao Xiao embraces her new life and begins to navigate the complexities of the historical period. As she adjusts to her new environment, she encounters an intriguing gentleman who catches her eye, adding unexpected romantic complications to her adventure. Her journey becomes a delightful exploration of beauty, self-acceptance, and unexpected opportunities across different eras. This is a 2021 South Korean romantic comedy drama directed by Zhang Ke.

Gourmet in Tang Dynasty

 🥢 Gourmet Dynasty Team 🍜

In the affluent city of Lingzhou, Shen Miao (Zhang Xue Ying), the independent and beautiful female heiress of a powerful trading family, has a reputation for failed marriages. Two eligible bachelors compete for her hand: the serious scholar Pei Yan Zhen (Xing Zhao Lin) and the playful Song Xi Yuan (Riley Wang) from another prominent merchant family. Both men vie to win Shen Miao's heart, each hoping to be the one she finally chooses as her husband. As the competition intensifies, Shen Miao must navigate the complex world of arranged marriages and her own desires. This is a 2023 Chinese drama series directed by Wu Qiang.

Choice Husband

Choose Me - No, Me

Princess Jia Nan (Ju Jing Yi), daughter of the Crown Prince, has lived her entire life within palace walls, maintaining a carefree demeanor while cleverly avoiding political scheming. Imperial Army Guard Li Qian (Joseph Zeng), scarred by past events, seeks to change his destiny by advancing his career and searching for answers. When their paths cross, Jia Nan and Li Qian agree to work together to overcome their predetermined fates and remain close to their loved ones. Their quest challenges the very boundaries of destiny itself, as they strive to forge their own path in a world that seems intent on controlling their lives. Adapted from the novel "Mu Nan Zhi" by Zhi Zhi, this is a 2021 Chinese historical romance drama directed by Zhi Lei.

Rebirth For You

⚙️ Gears of Love ❤️

Zhao Xiao Qian (Joseph Zeng), Prince of Julu, yearns to escape his predetermined fate of ruling a small territory and dreams of becoming a military general. Forced into an arranged marriage with Xie Jiang Er (Liang Jie), a determined and outspoken woman, he is surprised when she follows him to a prestigious academy. Initially believing women have no place in education, Zhao tries to convince her to leave, but Xie's steely resolve keeps her studying alongside him. As they continue to clash, the duo gradually realizes they work better as a team than as rivals, potentially opening the door to an unexpected romance. This is a 2021 Chinese drama series directed by Sun Kai Kai.

Time Flies and You Are Here

Time Flies and You

In a martial arts world, two rival factions—the House of Sunset Drizzle and the Six-Half Hall—compete for dominance. Wang Xiao Shi (Joseph Zeng), a skilled novice, is tasked with delivering a box to a contact, facing challenges from the Six-Half Hall. At a coastal tavern, he encounters dangerous bandits but is rescued by Bai Chou Fei (Liu Yu Ning) and Wen Rou (Yang Chaoyue), a high-born woman who prefers martial arts to marriage. The trio forms a friendship and is later joined by Su Meng Zhen (Baron Chen) after saving him from an ambush. Their actions impress the House of Sunset Drizzle but anger the Six-Half Hall, who vow to destroy them. As they navigate the martial arts world, their bond will be tested through numerous adventures. This is a 2022 Chinese martial arts drama directed by Li Mu Ge.

Heroes

🤜 Fearless Heroes 🤛

Shi Qi (Ke Ying), a talented artist, becomes entangled in court intrigue after witnessing an affair between Shen Qin (Kay Song), the chancellor's daughter, and King Ning (Wang Ze Xuan). Shen Qin, engaged to powerful general Xiao Han Sheng (Ryan Cheng), orchestrates a face-swapping scheme with a magician, trading identities with Shi Qi. Now, Shi Qi is "engaged" to Xiao Han Sheng, while Shen Qin assumes her identity. As both women navigate their new lives, King Ning and Xiao Han Sheng grow suspicious of the sudden personality changes. With their true identities at risk, Shi Qi and Shen Qin must find a way to reclaim their original faces and survive the dangerous court politics. This is a 2022 Chinese drama series directed by Zeng Qing Jie.

A Familiar Stranger

Switched Identities 🔮✨

During the Tang Dynasty's golden age of arts and culture, Luo Qiu Chi (Fan Shi Qi), a talented but poor young poet, is forced to leave his family and hide his identity to pursue his dreams. He meets Wen Ren Jun (Xiao Yu Lu), a female scholar who helps him gain admission to the prestigious Zhu Xiu Academy. At the academy, Luo Qiu Chi faces a fierce rivalry with the star pupil and is selected to compete in a challenging poetry competition against top scholars from a rival kingdom. With support from Wen Ren Jun and his newfound friends, he prepares to prove his poetic prowess. "Qing Qing Zi Jin" is a 2020 Chinese drama series that was directed by Xu Fei.

Qing Qing Zi Jin

In a grand court contest, the unassuming Li Wei (Tian Xi Wei) is unexpectedly chosen to marry Yin Zheng (Bai Jing Ting), the least favored of six royal heirs. Initially thrust into a marriage of political convenience, their union seems doomed, but they form a genuine connection as they navigate their new roles and learn about each other. With Yin Zheng relegated to menial tasks and Li Wei longing for a quiet life outside the royal family, their growing bond might just be the key to transforming their lives and helping the realm’s ordinary citizens. Will their unexpected romance defy the odds and spark meaningful change? This 2022 Chinese drama series was directed by Zhao Qichen, adapted from the novel “Time Travel to the Daily Life of the Qing Dynasty” by Duo Mu Mu Duo.

New Life Begins

✨ The Marvellous ✨ Team 

Six years after his brother's brutal murder, Xiao Duo (Dylan Wang) has risen to power as the emperor’s right-hand man in the Imperial palace, driven solely by his thirst for revenge. He allies himself with the feeble Fu Wang (Peter Ho), who temporarily holds the Imperial throne despite the Empress' own schemes for power. When Fu Wang spares the life of the former Emperor's concubine, Bu Yin Lou (Chen Yu Qi), Xiao Duo sees an opportunity to use her in his plans. But as he spends time with the captivating Yin Lou, Xiao Duo's icy resolve begins to thaw. Torn between his deep-seated desire for revenge and the unexpected stirrings of love, Xiao Duo must confront the possibility that his pursuit of vengeance may lead to his own undoing. This 2022 Chinese historical comedy drama was directed by Wu Qiang, based on the story Stupa by You Si Jie.

Unchained Love

In the sixth century CE, the Qi Kingdom is a land of political intrigue and war. Prince Pei Yan Zhi (Zhang Ling He), a young military prodigy, is defeated in battle and forced to step down from his army leadership by a cunning court opportunist. Feeling betrayed, he goes undercover as a commoner to investigate the palace's hidden machinations. During his quest, he meets Su Ci (Chen Yao), a brilliant female detective, and together they form a close partnership. Joining forces with two other clever sleuths, they work to uncover the truth behind the imperial court's schemes. "Maiden Holmes" is a 2020 Chinese period drama that was directed by Li Xiao Jiang.

Maiden Holmes

Dear Watson Team

The Lord Devil of the Moon Tribe, Dongfang Qingcang (Dylan Wang) is an emotionless monster who once wreaked chaos in the realm of gods, leading his demon army to victory. Thousands of years later, Orchid (Esther Yu), a fairy, accidentally frees the cursed and imprisoned Lord Devil. Qingcang plans to sacrifice Orchid to regain his powers and conquer the world again. However, a magical mishap causes them to swap bodies: the formidable Lord Devil is now trapped in Orchid's delicate form, while she inherits his super strength. As they seek to reverse the spell, they must keep their secret to survive. Amidst the chaos, love begins to weave its own enchantment. "Love Between Fairy and Devil" is a 2022 Chinese series directed by Yi Zheng.

Love Between Fairy and Devil

Tencent Video

Cheng Shao Shang (Zhao Lu Si) has grown up alone in a town devastated by a bloody war. When the powerful and influential general Ling Bu Yi (Leo Wu) visits the town, he falls in love with Shao Shang at first sight. Shao Shang warns him that she’s stubborn, slow to trust others, and independent – and may not fit the usual profile of a general’s “obedient” wife. Little does she know, however, that Bu Yi has his own secrets – many of which he is keen to learn more about. Together, could this duo discover the truth about Bu Yi’s mysterious past? And will they find love in the process? This 2022 Chinese drama series was directed by Fei Zhen Xiang.

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