‘The Untamed’ and ‘Till the End of the Moon’ Lose Out! The Top 10 Best-Ever Chinese Historical Dramas – The Champion Stands Alone: Unmatched Beauty and Acting That You Can’t Stop Watching

Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi’s 'Huakai Jinxiu' has seen rising buzz since its recent premiere, earning praise from audiences for its historical aesthetic and strong performances. The drama’s mansion settings, character dynamics, and political intrigue evoke the classical charm of 'The Story of Yanxi Palace' and 'Nine Layers of Brocade.' While many historical dramas are released each year, few successfully balance actor appeal, costume design, and narrative quality. Any drama that manages to be both 'beautiful and binge-worthy' quickly sparks passionate discussions among fans. Below is a list of 10 historical dramas that excel in both looks and storytelling, including recent hits like 'Huakai Jinxiu' and 'Wuyoudu,' as well as classics like 'The Untamed.' Fans of historical Chinese dramas can collect them all.

Top Recommendation 1: Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi in 'Huakai Jinxiu' 'Flowers Bloom in Splendor' (Image: IMDb) 'Flowers Bloom in Splendor' quickly gained acclaim after its premiere. Reuniting after 'Long Ballad,' Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi bring their on-screen chemistry into this new project. Their scenes together, filled with emotional tension and sparks, captivate viewers. Unlike many recent fictional historical romances, 'Huakai Jinxiu' emphasizes period atmosphere. From sets and costumes to overall art direction, it exudes a strong classical aesthetic without feeling overly modern.

The story begins in a family mansion, where characters harbor hidden motives. As the plot progresses, elements of escape, family conflict, and court crises are introduced, blending household intrigue with satisfying revenge arcs. Many viewers find themselves unable to stop watching. The plot follows Zhao Ling, a salt smuggler from humble origins, who dreams of greatness despite living on the fringes of society. By chance, he meets Fu Tingyun, a noblewoman falsely accused of treason. Forced to flee together, they face pressure from both their families and the imperial court, gradually transforming each other’s lives through shared trials.

Top Recommendation 2: Ren Jialun and Song Zuer in 'Wuyoudu' Still from 'Wuyoudu' (Image: Official Weibo) For fans of supernatural themes, 'Wuyoudu' is a must-watch. Starring Ren Jialun and Song Zuer, the character dynamics and interactions are highly engaging. After its 2025 release, it received positive reviews, with a Douban score of 7.6. Unlike traditional historical romances, 'Wuyoudu' incorporates rich elements of monsters, mysteries, and strange tales. The story centers on Xuan Ye, a mysterious demon hunter, and Ban Xia, a clever and spirited young woman. In a world where humans and demons coexist, they team up to solve a series of bizarre cases.

The series uses an episodic format, with each chapter presenting a complete story while gradually connecting to the overarching plot. Many viewers note a strong resemblance to 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.' The Chinese supernatural atmosphere is well-crafted, and with high-quality cinematography and set design, fans of the genre find it easy to binge episode after episode.

Top Recommendation 3: Yang Zi and Li Xian in 'Guose Fanghua' Still from 'Guose Fanghua' (Image: IMDb) 'Guose Fanghua' stands out as one of the rare historical dramas to achieve both popularity and critical acclaim in recent years. The series is split into two parts: 'Guose Fanghua' and 'Jinxiu Fanghua.' The former holds a Douban score of 7.8, while the latter scores 7.0—impressive numbers in the historical romance genre. One of its standout features is that it doesn’t focus solely on romance. Instead, it advances the female lead’s career growth, business ventures, and love story in parallel. The pacing is brisk, with one event following another, and characters act on motivations beyond love, avoiding the feeling of dragged-out episodes.

Yang Zi delivers a powerful performance as He Weifang, anchoring the female lead’s journey. Li Xian portrays his character with natural charm. Notably, Li Xian was once criticized for his historical drama looks, but in 'Guose Fanghua,' the right makeup, styling, and character depth have led many to rediscover his appeal in period costumes. The chemistry between the leads is a major highlight.

Top Recommendation 4: Gong Jun and Peng Xiaoran in 'Anhe Zhuan' Still from 'Anhe Zhuan' (Image: Sina Weibo) 'Anhe Zhuan' is adapted from a martial arts novel and serves as a spin-off of 'The Long Ballad.' While it struggles to surpass its predecessor in overall acclaim, it successfully creates a rich, wuxia-style ensemble world. Fight scenes and visual effects are among the most discussed aspects. Beyond the main couple, supporting characters also have strong narrative presence, preventing the story from revolving solely around the leads. The brotherly bond between Gong Jun and Chang Huasen is captivating, and actresses like Peng Xiaoran, Yang Yutong, and Dai Luwa shine in their historical costumes. The casting balances beauty with distinctiveness.

The story centers on 'Anhe,' the top assassin organization in the martial world. When the leader falls gravely ill, the three subordinate families send assassins to seize power. Su Muyu, leader of the Spider Shadow Unit known as 'Kui,' is drawn into this internal power struggle. As beliefs diverge, even former friends must face each other with swords drawn, igniting a storm across the jianghu.

Top Recommendation 5: Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu in 'Till the End of the Moon' Still from 'Till the End of the Moon' (Image: Weibo) 'Till the End of the Moon,' starring Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu, is one of the most talked-about xianxia dramas in recent years. Its biggest strength is its fast pace—quickly establishing the world and character relationships from the start, avoiding lengthy exposition and capturing audience attention from the first episode.

The plot unfolds across different life stages, with the protagonists taking on entirely different identities and fates. The first arc follows Cang Jiumin, the Demon God, and Li Susu, the fairy. Later, the story shifts to the mortal realm, where Ye Xiwu and Tan Taijin continue their emotional entanglement. Each identity brings unique dynamics. Beyond the plot, the drama’s costumes and art direction are standout features. The period costumes of Luo Yunxi, Bai Lu, Chen Duling, and Deng Wei are visually striking. The male lead isn’t a traditionally perfect god-like figure but evolves through growth and redemption. Complex character relationships and multiple worldviews keep viewers engaged throughout.

Top Recommendation 6: Guo Xiaoting and Zhou Lijie in 'Qingchuan Ru Meng' Still from 'Qingchuan Ru Meng' (Image: IMDb) As many actors from long-form dramas shift to short-form content, Guo Xiaoting’s 'Qingchuan Ru Meng' has gained attention. The drama features a unique 'female master, male disciple' setup, differing from typical master-disciple romance tropes. The role reversal adds dramatic tension. The story follows Prince Xia Qiguang, who is arranged by his father, Prince Jing, to study under Mo Wang. Initially disrespectful toward his famous teacher, he deeply admires General Mo Qingchuan, a female warrior who protects the nation. Later, he discovers that his revered teacher Mo Wang is actually Mo Qingchuan. As they grow closer through shared experiences, they embark on a journey to restore honor to fallen heroes.

Though a short-form drama, each episode runs about 30 minutes, giving it a viewing experience closer to long-form series. The plot moves quickly with minimal filler. Guo Xiaoting’s performance is especially praised—her portrayal of the general blends heroism and chivalry, perfectly fitting the role.

Top Recommendation 7: Dilraba Dilmurat and Gao Wei Guang in 'Eternal Love of Dream' 'Eternal Love of Dream' (Image: Weibo) For fans of xianxia dramas, 'Eternal Love of Dream' is a must-revisit. Dilraba and Gao Wei Guang reunite, with their characters Donghua Dijun and Bai Fengjiu becoming a classic couple in fans’ hearts. Supporting actors like Liu Ruilin and Huang Junjie also impress with their period costumes.

The story isn’t just about sweet romance. It unfolds through three distinct emotional arcs, gradually deepening Donghua and Fengjiu’s relationship. In the first life, Fengjiu, repaying Donghua’s life-saving grace, transforms into a little fox and enters Tai Chen Palace, but leaves heartbroken upon learning Donghua will marry Ji Heng. In the second life, Donghua descends to the mortal realm for trials, and Fengjiu follows, but must hurt him to complete his emotional tribulation. In the third life, within A Lanruo’s dream, Fengjiu seeks the Pinbo fruit, and Donghua intervenes as Xi Ze. Through repeated misunderstandings, separations, and reunions, their romance becomes increasingly intense.

Top Recommendation 8: Zhou Ye and Hou Minghao in 'Huxin' Still from 'Huxin' (Image: Weibo) If you’ve noticed Hou Minghao in 'Ru Qingyun' or 'Yu Ming Cha Gu,' consider catching up on his earlier work 'Huxin.' Adapted from Jiu Lufei Xiang’s novel of the same name—also the author of 'Love Between Fairy and Devil' and 'With You'—the drama gained high buzz during its initial release. The pairing of Zhou Ye and Hou Minghao is a major highlight, with strong chemistry in both looks and interactions. While some viewers felt the second half wasn’t as strong as the first, overall, it remains a worthwhile historical fantasy drama.

The story begins with Yan Hui, a cultivator girl expelled from her sect. Wanting a carefree life, she accidentally encounters Tian Yao, the legendary 'evil dragon.' To help him recover his sealed body parts, Yan Hui is thrust into an unexpected journey. Initially using each other, they gradually develop feelings through shared adventures, while uncovering hidden truths along the way.