Buzz
Douban is the most renowned film review website in China, known for its high credibility and reliability. The ratings on Douban represent the opinions of the majority of audiences, accompanied by many objective comments, demonstrating the attractiveness of the films and the public's interest. Below is a list of the best Chinese movies, highly rated on Douban and featuring fresh and captivating content that you shouldn't miss out on!
1. The Legend of Minglan
Image: The Story of Minglan
Set in the Northern Song Dynasty, The Story of Minglan follows the life of the sixth daughter of the Sheng family, Minglan. Despite being intelligent and beautiful, Minglan faces adversity from a young age, having lost her mother early in life. Following her mother's advice, Minglan grows up enduring hardship, concealing her talents and intelligence for a peaceful life.
One day, Minglan reunites with Nanny's son, Sir Gu Tingye, who had helped her in the past. Over time, Gu Tingye recognizes the cleverness hidden behind Minglan's modest appearance. Witnessing the challenges Minglan faces daily, Gu Tingye is moved and desires to marry her. However, their journey together proves to be far from smooth.
Image: The Story of Minglan
Starting as a meticulous and traditional girl, Minh Lan Truyện depicts the journey of a young woman striving to overcome adversity and eventually becoming the epitome of a noble family.
The profound words on human conduct and the portrayal of social discrimination have garnered admiration from audiences, making Minh Lan Truyện one of the most significant and meaningful Chinese dramas in history.
2. Fragrant Honey Like Mist
Image: Fragrance of Honey Resembles Mist
Fragrance of Honey Resembles Mist is one of the best Chinese dramas in the second half of 2018, bringing tears to many Chinese drama enthusiasts with its compelling storyline. Throughout the journey towards a fulfilling conclusion, the scriptwriter takes the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions from pain to happiness, from despair to heartbreak, through the heartbreaking love story between the main characters.
Image: Fragrance of Honey Resembles Mist
Fragrance of Honey Resembles Mist tells the love story of Cam Mich and Huc Phuong. Huc Phuong is the son of the Sky Emperor and Sky Empress, while Cam Mich is the daughter of the Flower God Tu Phan and the Water God Lac Lam. Due to the unresolved issues from their parents' lives, Cam Mich was born with a curse that made her experience tragic love. She grew up in the Flower Realm and was kept in the dark about her true identity by her aunts.
In one incident of being ambushed while meditating, Huc Phuong accidentally falls into the Flower Realm and is rescued by Cam Mich. Later, she is taken back to the celestial realm by Huc Phuong and kept as a companion by his side. With her beauty resembling that of a flower and her innocent, pure nature, Cam Mich gradually becomes entangled in a love triangle between two sons of the Sky Emperor, Huc Phuong and Nghuan Ngoc. Although she harbors feelings for Huc Phuong deep down, Cam Mich fails to recognize them due to the lingering effects of the curse still present in her body. From then on, their days are filled with misunderstandings and sabotage from malicious forces.
3. Cam Y Chi Ha
Image: Cam Y Chi Ha
Cam Y Chi Ha is one of the best Chinese historical dramas with a detective theme, revolving around the story of the adventurous girl Vien Kim Ha and the formidable bodyguard Luc Dich. Kim Ha and Luc Dich become 'odd couples' after just one encounter while investigating a case. Despite their initial clashes, they later cooperate harmoniously in solving mysteries together. Eventually, the stern and temperamental Luc Dich starts to admire the intelligence and beauty of the spirited Kim Ha.
Image: Cam Y Chi Ha
However, as love begins to blossom, Luc Dich learns the true identity of Kim Ha and the cruel truths about a past case gradually come to light, placing them both at the crossroads of love and vengeance.
If you're seeking a Chinese drama with captivating martial arts scenes, devoid of excessive melodrama, then Cam Y Chi Ha is one of the best Chinese dramas you should definitely check out!
4. The Legend of Dugu
Image: Legend of Fei
Legend of Fei is considered one of the best Chinese historical dramas in the palace intrigue genre of the Chinese film industry. The scriptwriters crafted the character of Zhou Fei based on the real historical figure, Emperor Xiaozhuangwen's concubine, Xiaozhuang Empress. She is a young and talented woman with strategic acumen, striving to enter the Forbidden City to seek justice for her sister, who was humiliated and killed without evidence. Knowing her lonely background, Zhou Fei seeks refuge from Empress Dowager and gradually becomes the Empress's favorite.
Image: Legend of Fei
During this time, Zhou Fei begins to be entangled in the web of treacherous plots and fierce competition in the palace. The climax comes when she faces off against Consort Nan, a concubine who appears gentle and virtuous but harbors malicious intentions, orchestrating all the conflicts in the palace. Through her intelligence and quick wit, Zhou Fei undergoes a challenging journey marked by blood and tears, ultimately achieving a fulfilling ending by becoming the respected Empress, commanding the palace.
Legend of Fei truly stands out as one of the best Chinese dramas in the middle of 2018, considered a 'palace intrigue phenomenon.' It also became the most searched keyword in the TV Show category on Google at that time.
5. Legend of Fei
Image: Legend of Nyữ
Airing concurrently with The Story of Yanxi Palace, Legend of Nyữ proved the popularity of palace intrigue dramas at that time by entering the top-rated Chinese dramas list on Douban with soaring ratings.
Nyữ is a noble lady from the Olafna clan, with her mother being the Empress of the Ung Chinh Emperor. She is childhood friends with the fourth prince, Hwang Lých, and vowed her heart to him. However, amidst misunderstandings and challenges, her love turns into resentment.
Image: Legend of Nyữ
After the passing of Emperor Ung Chinh, Hwang Lých ascended the throne as Emperor Qianlong. Wanting to elevate Nyữ to the position of Empress, Qianlong could only appoint her as Concubine Trắc Phúc due to circumstances, forcing her to live humbly in the palace.
Amidst the peak of misunderstandings and false accusations, Nyữ found herself unjustly framed with no means of defense, coupled with Qianlong's cold indifference – the person she trusted the most. She accepted imprisonment in the cold palace, enduring unjust punishment. Eventually, Nyữ redeemed her honor, rising courageously to become the Empress.
7. The Palace of Flowers
Image: Eastern Palace
Eastern Palace is a Chinese historical drama adapted from the famous novel of the same name, depicting a love-hate relationship between Princess Xi Lian of West Liang and Prince Li Shu of Central Yuan.
They meet and fall in love, but due to duty to their respective countries, Li Shu kills Xi Lian's beloved grandfather. With their nations in turmoil and the pain of betrayal from the one they love, Xi Lian jumps into the Vong Xuyên River to forget everything, while Li Shu follows her. From there, their days of love and hate begin as they meet again, embarking on a marriage of name only while losing all memory.
Image: Eastern Palace
With an outstanding script, beautiful setting, and talented cast, the drama successfully portrays the pain of the characters from the original work and has brought tears to thousands of viewers. It can be said that Eastern Palace is the best Chinese drama of the first half of 2019 with many heart-wrenching plot twists.
7. Three Lives Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms
Image: Eternal Love of Dream
Considered one of the best Chinese dramas on Douban, Eternal Love of Dream is adapted from the renowned romantic novel by Tang Qi Gong Zi. It narrates the three-lifetime love story of Princess Thanh Khau - Bai Feng and Crown Prince Nine Heavens - Night Dream. The two main characters go through many ups and downs, separations and reunions, before reaching a satisfying conclusion.
Image: Eternal Love of Dream
In the first lifetime, Kinh Thuong breaks the seal after many years of sleeping under Mount Kunlun. Due to resealing Kinh Thuong once again, Bai Feng loses her magical power, memory, and appearance, falling to the mortal world in the form of a mortal girl named Su Su. By chance, Su Su saves Night Dream when he descends to the mortal realm to exterminate demons. Out of love for Bai Feng, Night Dream once again forges a bond with Su Su. Thus, the turbulent love story in the second and third lifetimes of Bai Feng and Night Dream begins.
8. Flower in the Ashes
Image: Flower in the Ashes
Flower in the Ashes is one of the best Chinese dramas on Douban that you shouldn't miss. The series is adapted from the novel of the same name by author Fresh Guo Guo and truly made waves in the first half of 2015.
Hoa Thiên Cốt carries a divine mission from birth, emanating a unique fragrance that attracts malevolent spirits. Recognizing this, the Thục Sơn sect creates a protective boundary around her for 16 years, instructing that she must ascend the mountain to study under the master once she reaches maturity.
Image: Flower in the Ashes
After 16 years, Hoa Thiên Cốt grows up amidst the coldness of society. Upon her father's passing, she embarks alone to Thục Sơn to study under the master. There, she faces numerous challenges and adversities, eventually meeting Bạch Tử Hoạ and becoming his disciple. Their beautiful love story begins but is fraught with sorrow and pain. Little does she know, she is also the harbinger of misfortune in Bạch Tử Hoạ's destiny.
9. Story of Yanxi Palace
Image: Legend of Soko
Legend of Soko is hailed by critics as the most compelling Chinese period drama of the year. The story revolves around the life of Soko - the daughter of a martial arts master who, due to adversity, is forced to become a slave girl and loses all her memories.
Image: Legend of Soko
After being sold into slavery, So Kieu, along with others, is taken to an open field to be used as prey for noble gentlemen's hunting pleasure. Here, So Kieu is fortunately saved by Prince Bac Yen - Yen Tuan and Mr. Vu Van - Vu Van Nguyet. She enters the Vu Van family as a slave girl, catches the attention of Vu Van Nguyet, and is trained to become a spy. Despite their feelings for each other, past grudges and misunderstandings have gradually driven So Kieu and Vu Van Nguyet apart.
11. 12 Hours of Truong An
Image: 12 Hours of Truong An
Truong An 12 Hours is a historical drama set in ancient China, adapted from the novel of the same name by Ba Dung. The series follows the journey of solving crimes by Truong Tieu Kinh - a former military criminal turned palace guard, and Ly Tat - a prince of the Tang dynasty known for his cunning and determination to eradicate evil and protect Truong An.
Before the Lantern Festival, Truong An City was plunged into chaos, facing imminent danger. Death row convict Truong Tieu Kinh is pardoned and, together with the young Ly Tat, is tasked with eliminating a plot by an underground force. From there, they uncover numerous sinister conspiracies aimed at overthrowing the empire.
Image: Truong An 12 Hours
With a talented cast and innovative script, the series received positive feedback from viewers immediately upon airing. If you're a fan of Di Yang Tian Zi, don't miss out on this one!
Hopefully, within the top 10 compiled by Mytour Xperience above, you can find some of the best Chinese films to watch with friends and family!
Explore more:
