The 21st century has been a pretty big year for entertainment platforms, and the Chinese contribution has been the strongest one. The article curates the best Chinese drama series that every C-drama enthusiast should at least watch once in their lifetime. To make the search convenient, the list includes everything about the rated series, including its ratings, release dates, synopsis, number of seasons, and availability.
Sometimes you need an intriguing drama to binge-watch, and thankfully, Chinese drama delivers. From what are now OTT classics (like Hidden Love) to historical gems (like Story of Kunning Palace), Chinese Dramas are a hub for some of the most interesting and beautifully crafted language series of all time. Check out our list that contains the best Chinese dramas of all time, and let us know which one is your favourite in the comments below.
About Chinese Drama
Also known as Chinese television drama or C-Dramas, they are Chinese-language television drama series that originate from the Chinese Mainland or Greater China.
With its first television program aired in 1958 (One Piece of Cake), Chinese dramas’ famous genres are fantasy romance, period costume, thriller, and contemporary dramas. While Chinese language drama or C-drama streams across the world, its primary consumers are Asian countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.
The Best Chinese Drama Shows Right Now
10. Hello, I’m At Your Service
- Release Year: 2023
- Cast: Xu Lu, Wei Zhe Ming, Liu Run Nan, Zhang Bai Jia
- Seasons: 1
- Available on: Rakuten Viki
The 2023 Chinese Drama series is a romantic drama that showcases an office love relationship between two individuals. Adapted from Bu Yi Ma Qi’s novel of the same name, the series has received a fair 7.8/10 rating by MyDrama List, 9.2/10 ratings by Rakuten Viki, and 9.6/10 by iQIYi.
Synopsis:
As a top-tier customer service representative, Dong Dong En has made quite a name for herself in the workplace. With an impressive combination of quick wits, charm, and courage, Dong Eun can solve any problem. But when fate brings Lou Yuan (Wei Zhe Ming) into her life, things at work get a little more complicated.
9. Sunshine By My Side
- Release Year: 2023
- Cast: Xiao Zhan, Bai Bai He, Tian Yu, Zhu Zhu
- Seasons: 1
- Available on: Rakuten Viki
The 2023 Chinese Drama series is a comedy-drama that showcases a love relationship between two working graphic designers. Adapted from a Chinese novel of the same name, the series has received a good 7.8/10 ratings by MyDrama List, 9.2/10 ratings by Rakuten Viki, and 9.6/10 by iQIYi.
Synopsis:
Sheng Yang (Xiao Zhan) is a hard-working rookie designer whose life is changed when he meets the renowned and experienced advertising director Jian Bing (Bai Bai He). Even though she is much older than him, they feel drawn to one another. She has just ended her marriage and feels down in the dumps. But Sheng Yang makes her feel alive, loved, and special again. But seemingly insurmountable obstacles lie in their path. At work, colleagues tell Jian Bing that Sheng Yang is likely just an opportunist looking for a shortcut to the top of the industry, while their families are also bitterly opposed to their union.
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8. When I Fly Towards You
- Release Year: 2023
- Cast: Zhou Yi Ran, Zhang Miao Yi
- Season: 1
- Available on: Netflix, Viki
When I Fly Towards You is a Chinese coming-of-age romantic web series that is adapted from Zhu Yi’s novel “She’s a Little Crazy.” Becoming a huge success in China, the series earned immense appreciation from the critics and its fans. A romantic series, When I Fly Towards You, follows the story of a student, Su Zaizai, and her relationship with Zhang Lurang. The series garnered an impressive rating of 9/10 on MyDramaList, 9.7/10 on Viki, and 8.5/10 on IMDb.
Synopsis:
Set off by a sweet chance encounter, 16-year-old Su Zaizai finds herself helplessly drawn to Zhang Lurang — her smart, charming yet distant schoolmate.
7. A Love So Beautiful
- Release Year: 2017
- Cast: Hu Yi Tian, Shen Yue, Gao Zhi Ting, Wang Zi Wei
- Season: 1
- Available On: Netflix, Viki
One of the highly rated Chinese television series, A Love So Beautiful, amassed more than 10.5 billion views on online streaming platforms. Based on the novel, To Our Pure Little Beauty, the series follows the love story of two high school students, Chen Xiaoxi and Jiang Chen. As of 2026, the series has garnered 8.3/10 ratings on MyDramaList, 8/10 on IMDb, and 9.4/10 on Viki
Synopsis:
Love is as tough as it is sweet for a lovestruck teenager, whose relationship with her next-door neighbour transforms as they grow into adulthood.
6. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
- Release Year: 2020
- Cast: Ding Yu Xi, Zhao Lu Si
- Season: 1
- Available On: Viki
A Chinese streaming television series, The Romance of Tiger and Rose, showcases the historical romance of Zhao Lusi and Ding Yuxi. Rated as one of the top Chinese drama series on social media, it has received more than 3 billion hits on Weibo and has received more than 897 million viewers. Besides, The Romance of Tiger and Rose received an 8.6/10 rating on MyDramaList, 9.5/10 on Viki, and 7.9/10 on IMDb.
Synopsis:
Chen Xiao Qian (Zhao Lu Si) has dedicated her entire life to making her dream of becoming a well-respected screenwriter come true. Standing on the production set of the sweeping drama she penned through endless blood, sweat, and tears, Xiao Qian can hardly believe what she’s seeing.
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5. Hidden Love
- Release Year: 2023
- Cast: Zhao Lu Si, Chen Zhe Yuan, Victor Ma
- Season: 1
- Available on: Netflix
Ranked among the top 5 Chinese drama series, Hidden Love is based on Zhu Yi’s Chinese novel, Secretly, Secretly; But Unable To Hide It. Following the love relationship between Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu, the Chinese drama earned global recognition, surpassing more than 10 million views. Meanwhile, the 2023 series received 9/10 on MyDramaList and 8.6/10 on IMDb.
Synopsis:
Since high school, Sang Zhi has had a crush on Duan Jiaxu. When fate brings them together again, they find a chance to embark on a sweet relationship.
4. Go Go Squid
- Release Year: 2019
- Cast: Li Xian, Yang Zi, Hu Yi Tian
- Season: 1
- Available On: Viki
An e-sport romance comedy-drama television series, Go Go Squid, is adapted from Honey Stewed Squid, a novel by Mo Bao Fei Bao. Following the story of Tong Nian and Hang Shangyan, the series earned the title of Best Chinese Drama Series in the Yien Broadcasting Index TV Series List. Go Squid earned 8.4/10 ratings on MyDramaList, 9.6/10 on Viki, and 7.7/10 on IMDb.
Synopsis:
Han Shang Yan, a former legend in the CTF cyber-security esports world, had long retired to set up his esports club, K&K, to train a group of young teenage boys as professional esports athletes.
3. Love O2O
- Release Date: 2016
- Cast: Yang Yang, Zheng Shuang, Bai Yu, Mao Xiao Tong
- Season: 1
- Available on: MX Player, Viki
One of the most prominent Chinese series, Love O2O, is a television series adapted from the novel of the same name. Follows the story of two gamers, Bei Wei Wei and Yixiao Naihe, in the romantic comedy series that attracted a huge viewership of 25.2 billion views, becoming one of the most commercially successful series in China
However, in August 2021, the show was officially banned by the People’s Government of China in Mainland China owing to the female lead actor being labelled “actors with poor conduct.”
Synopsis:
Bei Wei Wei (Zheng Shuang) has both beauty and brains. A computer goddess, she aspires to be an online game developer. In her spare time, she plays her favourite role-playing game “A Chinese Ghost Story.” After her online husband, Zhenshui Wuxiang (Zhang He), dumps her, she gets a message from the number one player Yixiao Naihe – to be her online husband!
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2. Nirvana In Fire
- Release Year: 2015
- Cast: Hu Ge, Wang Kai, Liu Tao
- Season: 1
- Available On: Viki
A Chinese Historical Drama, Nirvana in Fire, is based on a novel, Lang Ya Bang written by Hai Yan. Following the story of Lin Shu, the series went out to be one of the most commercially successful shows in China, surpassing 100 million views within two days of its premiere and over 3.2 billion posts on the Chinese microblogging site, Sina Weibo. The series, along with garnering 13.2 billion views, received a rating of 9.1/10 on MyDramaList, 8.9/10 on IMDb, and 9.6/10 on Viki.
Synopsis:
Ancient China is being torn apart by a bitter feudal that pits the Northern Wei dynasty against the Southern Liang. With help from the Liang general and his formidable 19-year-old son Lin Shu (Hu Ge), Liang secured a famous victory over the Wei. But treachery – rather than rewards – awaits the Lin family.
1. Shan Shan Lai Le
- Release Year: 2014
- Cast: Hans Zhang, Zhao Liying
- Season(s): 2
- Available On: Viki
Also known as Boss & Me and Shan Shan Comes To Eat, Shan Shan Lai Le is one of the successful series in China, which topped ranking charts across the world. Adapted from Gu Man’s novel, Shan Shan Comes To Eat, it follows the story of a rich heir (Feng Teng) and his sister, Feng Yue. Not just in China, but the series topped the charts in Russia and South Korea. The series received 8/10 on MyDramaList, 7.7/10 on IMDb, and 9.2/10 on Viki
Synopsis:
As the president of a massive conglomerate, Feng Teng (Zhang Han) has a lot of responsibilities to uphold. Born with a rare blood type, Feng Yue’s current need for a blood transfusion is all Feng Teng can think about. Determined to find a donor for his sister, Feng Teng’s desperate search eventually leads him to one of his employees, Xue Shan Shan (Zhao Li Ying).
Conclusion
The Chinese entertainment industry has given the world some of the best movies and series for a perfect binge-watch session. Among the several web series genres is drama, which has been significantly dominated by Chinese web series. The above-mentioned list compiles a list of the top 10 best Chinese dramas every C-drama enthusiast should look out for.
