Top Picks

Chinese historical drama (also known as costume or period drama) is gaining popularity in the global entertainment space.

They are a brilliant form of escapist entertainment, but due to their traditional, cultural, and historical references and nuances, they’re not easy to understand if you’re completely new to them.

Whether you are interested in diving into Chinese historical drama or are a Chinese second-language learner looking to consume more content, I have just the right recommendations for you.

I’ve put together a list of interesting Chinese historical dramas with straightforward plots and not much politics. I feel these types of shows are perfect for newcomers to the genre.

Chinese historical dramas (also known as costume/period dramas) can be particularly challenging for second-language learners. They are rich in historical and cultural references, and along with formal dialogue and archaic language, the comprehension difficulty is much higher than that of modern dramas.

With the rising popularity and sheer volume of available drama on international platforms, it’s overwhelming for newcomers to the genre and Chinese language learners to figure out where to begin.

To make your immersion journey easier, I have put together a selection of historical-theme Chinese dramas that not only provide an excellent introduction to the genre but are also well-suited for language learners to start picking up common vocabulary.

As a learner, watching dramas, shows, and movies is a brilliant way for you to expand your vocabulary, acquire grammar, familiarise yourself with the sound of the language and improve your listening comprehension.

Here are the best platforms to start your Chinese content immersion.

Have you been learning Mandarin Chinese for a while, are familiar with basic grammar, and know approximately 1500 words? If that’s you, then try out these 6 free danmei webnovels.

You don’t need an account; go straight to the website and start reading! I recommend setting up a browser popup Chinese -> English dictionary such as ZhongWen!

Don’t forget to regularly review vocabulary using SRS (spaced repetition system) with tools like Anki or the paid Pleco SRS flashcard add-on.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I did.