Ding Yuxi's 'Flowers Bloom in Brocade' Lost! The Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas of the Past Six Months, Crowned by This One: Praised Beyond Zhang Ruonan's 'Rain on the Bell', Audiences Say It's Deeply Moving

In 2026, historical Chinese dramas (guzhuang luju) have been premiering one after another, spanning genres from xianxia and wuxia to mansion intrigue and mystery investigations, all vying for audience attention. However, high popularity doesn’t always translate to strong reviews, and truly well-received shows that maintain solid ratings are actually rare. This article compiles mainland China’s long-form historical dramas that premiered between March 16 and September 16, 2026, and have already received Douban ratings. Ranked by their latest scores as of September 16, Yang Zi and Han Dongjun’s 'The Family Business' takes first place with 7.3 points, followed by Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi’s 'Flowers Bloom in Brocade' at 7.1, and Yang Yang and Zhang Ruonan’s 'Rain on the Bell' at 7.0. Ren Jialun’s 'Destined Couple,' Hou Minghao’s 'Sparrow Bone,' and Dilraba Dilmurat’s 'Lantern in Daylight' also made it into the top 10 highest-rated historical dramas of the past six months.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 10: Ren Min and Ci Sha in 'A Beautiful Brocade' | Douban Rating: 5.9

'A Beautiful Brocade' is adapted from the novel of the same name by Chen Xiang Huixin. Ren Min plays Gu Jinzhao, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, while Ci Sha portrays Chen Yanjun. Gu Jinzhao was raised by her maternal grandparents from childhood and, upon returning to the Gu household, faces complex family dynamics and becomes entangled in mansion power struggles and romantic entanglements. Chen Yanjun, on the other hand, is a strategic figure navigating power and family interests. The drama significantly alters the original novel’s setup, downplaying the reincarnation element and controversial ethical relationships, transforming the story into a more conventional tale of mansion intrigue, personal growth, and multiple romantic arcs.

Audience reactions to the adaptation are deeply divided. Some viewers stayed for the evolving romance between Gu Jinzhao and Chen Yanjun, particularly praising their married life and chemistry, sparking extensive CP discussions. However, original novel readers criticized the removal of the reincarnation plot and altered character dynamics, arguing that the story’s most compelling tension was weakened. The character Yexian also generated significant buzz, with many viewers emotionally affected by his romantic arc and fate, unexpectedly making the male supporting storyline a major highlight.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 9: Meng Ziyi and He Yu in 'The Hundred Flowers Kill' | Douban Rating: 5.9

'The Hundred Flowers Kill' stars Meng Ziyi as Princess Zhaoning, Shen Xihan, and He Yu as Crown Prince Xiao Huayong. After the original Shen Xihan is murdered, Gu Qingzhi assumes her identity and re-enters the political chessboard, seeking to uncover past crimes and settle scores with her enemies. Xiao Huayong appears weak and gentle but is actually highly calculating. Two master strategists, initially manipulating each other, eventually join forces to break the deadlock. The drama’s main appeal lies in its strong female-led revenge plot, court power struggles, and a relationship that evolves from alliance to romance.

Audience reception has been polarized. Fans praise the show, saying, 'The Hundred Flowers Kill is so good—Shen Xihan is brilliant!' Some viewers found the final episodes especially satisfying. Others criticized the rushed pacing, arguing that the rapid succession of plot twists and character developments left little room for emotional depth. Shen Xihan’s refusal to endure injustice and her swift revenge progression satisfy fans of 'revenge catharsis' dramas, but the script’s logic and adaptation choices remain controversial.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 8: He Hongshan and Li Fei in 'Mysteries of Prosperous Tang' | Douban Rating: 6.2

'Mysteries of Prosperous Tang' follows a historical mystery investigation format. He Hongshan plays Li Jinglan, the daughter of a prefect, who has a natural talent for forensic analysis. Li Fei portrays Jue Ming, a mysterious 'ghost detective,' and together with Su Yu’an, a skilled constable, they solve a series of crimes. The plot features twin sisters switching identities, a 17-year-old scholar’s wrongful conviction, and a series of murders at a literary gathering. Spanning 26 episodes, the drama focuses on solving cases and uncovering the personal stories behind them.

Despite lacking big-name stars, the show retained viewers through its compelling cases. Some viewers praised it as 'smooth and heartwarming, with lovable characters,' while others appreciated how each case ultimately tied back to emotional depth. Fans also commended the tight pacing and lack of filler. However, some criticized the quick resolution of certain cases, leaving little room for deductive reasoning. Amid a wave of high-budget historical dramas, 'Mysteries of Prosperous Tang' carved out its niche with its compact format and solid investigative pacing.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 7: Bai Lu and Cheng Lei in 'Mo Li' | Douban Rating: 6.3

'Mo Li' is adapted from Feng Qing’s novel 'The Rightful Wife in a Prosperous Age.' Bai Lu plays Ye Li, and Cheng Lei plays Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao. Ye Li was originally betrothed to the Prince of Li, but when the engagement falls through, she is instead married off to Mo Xiuyao, who has a leg disability. What begins as a political marriage gradually evolves into a partnership as the couple faces challenges from within the prince’s mansion and the imperial court. The story centers on a marriage of convenience turning into love, joint problem-solving, and Ye Li’s personal growth and revenge.

After airing, Bai Lu and Cheng Lei’s on-screen chemistry became a major draw. Fans appreciated the gradual shift from mutual suspicion to emotional intimacy. The visual quality and character designs also received praise. However, some viewers were dissatisfied with the political intrigue plot, adaptation choices, and certain character developments, feeling the romance was more engaging than the court scheming. This imbalance between the two main storylines has kept 'Mo Li' in a state of mixed reviews.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 6: Dilraba Dilmurat and Chen Feiyu in 'Lantern in Daylight' | Douban Rating: 6.7

'Lantern in Daylight' is adapted from Li Qingran’s novel of the same name. Dilraba plays He Simu, a demon queen who has lived for centuries but lacks all five senses. Chen Feiyu plays Duan Xu, a young general burdened by his past and war scars. Their fates become intertwined through a special contract, gradually entering each other’s isolated worlds. The unique premise—demon queen, young general, human-demon divide, and shared senses—gives the drama high distinctiveness among 2026’s fantasy historical romances.

Audience reactions were sharply divided from the start. Fans found He Simu’s '400 years without senses' concept fascinating and praised her as a 'true strong female lead' who holds power and agency from the beginning. Others criticized the early episodes for 'confusing pacing and loose logic,' feeling the grand fantasy setup failed to deliver a gripping narrative. While the art direction, world-building, and character concepts have supporters, storytelling and acting styles remain the core of controversy.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 5: Ren Jialun and Wang Herun in 'Destined Couple' | Douban Rating: 6.9

'Destined Couple' stars Ren Jialun as Lu Qiao, a member of the War Demon Clan, and Wang Herun as Xin Mei, a cultivator. To break a curse and ensure his clan’s survival, Lu Qiao must complete five trials: changing skin, flesh, bone, blood, and heart. He assumes a false identity to marry Xin Mei, planning to fake his death and leave. But Xin Mei unexpectedly travels to the capital to clear his name. Two people with separate goals begin a unique marriage that gradually evolves into a partnership willing to risk everything for each other.

The romance is where the drama shines. Viewers praised the relationship as 'free of forced tropes and industrial sugar,' appreciating how their bond grows organically through shared hardships. Some fans, after watching over ten episodes, called it 'refreshingly original' and binge-watched until dawn. However, others struggled with the early world-building, costumes, and acting styles, resulting in sharply divided opinions.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 4: Hou Minghao and Ai Mi in 'Sparrow Bone' | Douban Rating: 6.9

'Sparrow Bone' stars Hou Minghao as Xiao Wuyi, the heir of the Jing’an Mansion, and Ai Mi as Xie Jiayu, daughter of a grand tutor. Xie Jiayu is forced to marry into the mansion as a concubine. Starting as a contractual marriage, the couple uncovers each other’s secrets while investigating a vast conspiracy tied to the imperial court, evolving from mutual suspicion to a bond of life and death. The 28-episode drama moves quickly through identity secrets, political intrigue, and emotional tension, with the protagonists’ relationship as the main highlight.

Audience reception for the couple has been overwhelmingly positive. Some viewers called them 'the destined pairing,' and many praised the drama for 'a captivating start, exciting middle, and perfectly closed ending.' While the political plot was seen as lacking depth by some, strong character chemistry and a satisfying conclusion helped build lasting positive word-of-mouth.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 3: Yang Yang and Zhang Ruonan in 'Rain on the Bell' | Douban Rating: 7.0

'Rain on the Bell' reimagines characters from 'The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants' into a wuxia story. Yang Yang plays Zhan Zhao, a fourth-rank imperial bodyguard, and Zhang Ruonan plays Huo Linglong, the daughter of Linglong Manor. Zhan Zhao travels south to investigate clues about the Prince of Xiangyang’s rebellion left by a deceased friend, encountering Huo Linglong, Bai Yutang, and others in the martial arts world, eventually uncovering court conspiracies and multiple cases. Unlike many xianxia or historical romances, the drama dedicates significant screen time to swordplay, investigations, martial arts codes, and ensemble portrayals of heroes.

Long-form reviews praised Yang Yang’s 'five-star image and performance' and the abundance of action scenes. Many viewers were drawn to the setting of Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and the Northern Song-era martial world. However, the plot wasn’t universally praised—some found certain segments 'not thrilling enough' or 'unsatisfying.' Others criticized character screen time and pacing. While both praise and criticism are clear, the return of a traditional wuxia style helped it maintain a 7.0 rating.

Top 10 Highest-Rated Historical Chinese Dramas in the Past 6 Months – Rank 2: Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi in 'Flowers Bloom in Brocade'