5 Chinese dramas that serve more scandal, gossip and chaos than reality TV: The Untamed to Rebel Princess

You don't need a passport to travel, sometimes. The right show can do that for you. So, how about travelling in rich worlds of ancient China without leaving your couch? From epic battles to fiery romances, Chinese historical dramas blend history, heart, and a dash of sass in an unforgettable way. It could be enchanting bonds of The Untamed or the fierce, fearless spirit of The Rebel Princess, these dramas transport you to dynasties filled with passion, power struggles, and unforgettable characters. Ready for a journey through time? Here are 5 Chinese dramas that will sweep you off your feet.

1) The Sword and the Brocade (2021)

This has every possible trope and we are still here for it.

General Xu Ling Yi thought he was signing up for a quiet, obedient wife. What did he get instead: Shi Ni Yang, an outspoken, fearless woman who’s got equal rights on her mind and zero time for outdated rules.

He might be the general, but she’s not taking orders, unless it’s in her own workshop, which (spoiler!) she opens with his full support after they unexpectedly fall in love.

While Shi Ni Yang fights for women’s independence, Ling Yi battles to protect their homeland, making them a power couple for the ages.

This historical drama is all about love, partnership, and the magic that happens when your soulmate has your back.

2) The Untamed (2019)

If you haven’t watched The Untamed yet, what are you doing? This isn’t just a Chinese historical drama; it’s the drama that lives rent-free in the hearts of C-drama fans everywhere. From episode one, you’re pulled into a plot so intricate it could tie a Lan clan ribbon in knots, and don’t even get us started on the slow-burn bromance that could melt ice in Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wu Xian is the charming rebel with a flute, while Lan Wang Ji is the silent, brooding rule-follower. They’re polar opposites, but when fate throws them together, sparks fly.

Cue: ancient secrets, deadly conspiracies, and a betrayal so brutal that Wei Wu Xian dies. (Yes, dies. Drama with a capital D.)

But plot twist, he comes back from the dead years later. And who’s the first to find him: Lan Wang Ji. Together, they team up (again) to solve murders, right wrongs, and take on a whole lot of unresolved tension.

It’s dark. It’s emotional. It's intense.

3) Song of Phoenix (2017)

He’s a legendary poet. She has limited means. And you know what love story that means. Song of Phoenix tells the tale of Qu Yuan, China’s most celebrated poet, who falls hard for a girl in a time when love like theirs isn’t just frowned upon... it’s practically forbidden.

As if crossing class lines isn’t hard enough, the entire Warring States period is in full meltdown mode. Qu Yuan isn’t just trying to keep his love alive—he’s also trying to keep his country alive.

But don’t count them out. This poetic power couple fights every barrier thrown their way, class, conflict, and court politics included.

4) The Rebel Princess (2021)

We all love a strong woman, now don't we. And, in The Rebel Princess, Zhang Zhi portrays the role of Wang Xuan, a fierce and principled noblewoman. But when duty calls, she agrees to a strategic marriage to General Xiao Qi, a brilliant commander who rose from nothing and dreams of lasting peace. Yes, the political marriage trope, are you in?

What starts as a political alliance quickly becomes something more. Amid backstabbing royals, looming war, and shifting loyalties, Wang Xuan and Xiao Qi form a lasting relationship. Ah, that chemistry. Worth it.

5) Sword Snow Stride

In a world where blades speak louder than kings, dynasties are carved by warriors—not words.
Enter Xu Feng Nian. He's someone far more interested in poetry than power. As the eldest son of the Prince of Northern Lian, he's mocked for being aimless, soft-spoken, and utterly unfit to rule. Yet, he is a. man shackled by legacy, scarred by bloodshed, and quietly burning with a purpose deeper than power. When his father unexpectedly abdicates, Feng Nian is thrown into a world of deadly politics, warring martial sects, and ancient grudges that refuse to die.

Luckily, he’s not alone. Along the way, he’s joined by a rogue’s gallery of unforgettable allies—a stoic monk, a cold-blooded assassin with a haunted past, and a fiercely loyal female bodyguard who wields a sword like it’s an extension of her soul. Together, they walk a path littered with betrayal, honour, and hard-won loyalty