Top 15 Most Beautiful Historical Drama Actresses in Chinese Cinema

Tang Yan (born December 6, 1983) is a Chinese actress who graduated from the Performance Department of the Central Academy of Drama. Her beauty in period dramas has always been praised by audiences.

Tang Yan began her career in several films, but it was her breakout role in 2009's *Chinese Paladin 3* that earned her widespread fame. As a true 'beauty of historical dramas', Tang Yan never fails to leave the audience in awe with her flawless looks in traditional costumes.

Currently, she is starring in the film project *Yen Yun Tai*, alongside actors Dou Qiao and Xa Tian Man. With a strong cast and compelling storyline, the film is highly anticipated by viewers. *Yen Yun Tai* is based on the novel by author Tang Sheng Nam, telling the epic story of Empress Xiao Yan Yan (Tang Yan) who builds a dynasty from a nomadic tribe. The handsome male lead, Dou Qiao, plays Han De Xiu, Yan Yan's childhood friend. This marks Tang Yan's grand return to the screen after marriage and childbirth.

Ruby Lin, also known as Lam Tam Như, was born on January 27, 1976, in Taipei, Taiwan. She is a renowned actress, singer, model, and film producer, often referred to as the 'Queen of Taiwanese Television'.

Ruby Lin entered the entertainment industry in 1994 as a part-time model, and in 1995, she appeared in the popular drama *School's King* alongside Lan Chi Ting. However, it was her role as Ha Zi Wei in the highly successful drama *My Fair Princess* in 1997 and 1999 that made her a household name across Asia.

Among her historical drama roles, Ruby Lin is best known for her portrayals in *The Prince of Han Dynasty* (Khuynh thế hoàng phi), *Princess Huo Yuanjia*, and *Princess Zi Wei* in *My Fair Princess*. Her portrayal of characters in *Khuynh thế hoàng phi* has been especially praised by fans, who consider her the most beautiful actress in the genre of Chinese historical dramas.

Sun Li – a renowned actress and singer from China, born in 1982, entered the entertainment industry in 2004. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the TV series *The Goddess of Mercy*, winning major awards such as the 'Most Popular Actress' and 'Highest-Rated Actress' at the Golden Eagle Awards.

One of her standout roles in historical dramas is in the film *Painted Skin*. *Painted Skin* is a fantasy historical film where Sun Li starred alongside Zhou Xun, Donnie Yen, and Chen Kun, focusing on a love story involving the characters Wang Sheng, his wife, and the Fox Demon Xiao Y. *Painted Skin* became a classic of Chinese cinema at the time and won the Best Film Award at the 28th Golden Horse Film Festival.

In the current Chinese entertainment industry, Sun Li is considered a representative of the new generation of skilled actresses, known for guaranteeing high ratings for the TV dramas she stars in.

Liu Shishi (born March 10, 1987) is a Chinese actress and ballet dancer. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy with a major in ballet. In 2011, Liu Shishi gained fame for her role as Maertai Ruoxi in *Scarlet Heart*, a role that not only made her famous but also sparked a romance with co-star Nicky Wu. She was named the 'Golden Eagle Goddess' and became one of the most beloved actresses among Chinese students. Along with actresses like Yang Mi, Tang Yan, and Zhao Liying, Liu Shishi is often ranked among the 'Four Little Flower Sisters'.

Liu Shishi has made a lasting impression on audiences with her natural and sincere acting, particularly in her historical roles. This has earned her the title of 'The Goddess of Historical Dramas' in Chinese television. Her fans admire her for consistently delivering both heart-wrenching and joyous performances while maintaining her graceful, goddess-like beauty.

Over her 15-year career, Liu Shishi has starred in a variety of popular dramas, including *Chinese Paladin 3* (2009), *The Vigilantes in Masks* (2011), *Scarlet Heart* (2011), and *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* (2012).

Zhao Liying, born on October 16, 1987, is a renowned Chinese actress who rose to fame with her role as Lu Zhen in *The Legend of Lu Zhen*, a historical drama scripted by Wu Jing. This role helped introduce her to a wider audience.

Considered one of the leading actresses of her generation, Zhao Liying is particularly celebrated for her performances in historical dramas, where she often plays the leading role and leaves a lasting impact with her acting skills.

Some of her most popular historical dramas include *Princess Agents*, *The Journey of Flower*, *The Story of Yanxi Palace*, *The Legend of Lu Zhen*, *The Eternal Love*, *Legend of the Ancient Sword*, and *The Great Master*.

Angelababy, born on February 28, 1989, with the real name Yang Ying, is a Chinese actress and model. Her stage name is a combination of her English name 'Angela' and the nickname 'Baby.' She started her career in 2003 as a fashion model for magazines. With her stunning beauty, seductive figure, and unique fashion sense, Angelababy gradually became a household name.

Known for her beauty, Angelababy has ranked high in beauty contests not only in China but also in South Korea, Japan, and other countries. Her mixed heritage, with 1/4 German blood, is both an advantage and a challenge in her career.

Angelababy has appeared in films such as *The Investiture of the Gods*, *Romance of the Condor Heroes*, and *The Rise of the Dragon Sea*.

Trần Kiều Ân, born on April 4, 1979, is a Taiwanese actress, singer, and model. She was once the co-leader of the Taiwanese girl group 7 Flowers and the first female member of the Jungiery Entertainment agency.

In 2005, she gained widespread recognition through the drama *Prince Frog*, which became a record-breaking hit and catapulted her and her co-stars to fame across Mainland China. In 2008, at the 43rd Golden Bell Awards, Trần Kiều Ân was nominated for Best Lead Actress for her role in *Night of Destiny*.

In 2013, Trần Kiều Ân's popularity extended to Mainland China when she played the role of Dong Fang Bu Bai in the TV series *New Smiling Proud Wanderer*. She furthered her career in 2015 with the movie *Youth Never Returns*, portraying the character of Zhou Wei. She also starred in *The Era of My Teenage Girl* as Lin Chenxin.

Yang Zi, born November 6, 1992, is a Chinese actress. In early September 2016, she was named one of the 'Four Little Flowers' of the 90s generation by the entertainment weekly *Nandu*. Yang Zi, originally a child star, gained attention with her role as Xia Xue in the TV drama *Home with Kids*. She later gained more recognition for her roles as Hu Xiangxiang in *Battlefield Sa* and as Chen Moli in *Ashes of Love*, as well as her role in *Go Go Squid!* alongside Li Xian.

Yang Zi's acting career began in 2003, when she portrayed the young Dong Yao in *The Story of Zhi Zhi*, alongside Ning Ting and Ma Jingdao. Afterward, she appeared in *Girls’ Diary*, earning a nomination for the Golden Cow Awards. In December 2015, she took on the role of Lu Xueqi in *The Legend of Chusen*. In 2018, she starred in the highly successful series *Ashes of Love*, which earned massive attention, and continued her success in 2019 with *Go Go Squid!* alongside Li Xian.

Dilraba Dilmurat, born June 3, 1992, is a Chinese actress of Uyghur descent. She is one of the most prominent post-90s ‘little flower’ actresses in China. Growing up in an artistic family, she began training in dance, piano, and violin from a young age, and she is also fluent in several languages. Dilraba graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy’s Department of Performance in 2014.

In 2013, Dilraba made her debut in the TV series *Anar Hanh*, followed by a leading role in *The Brightest Star in the Sky* in 2014. In 2015, her acting skills were widely recognized through the drama *The Diamond Lover*, earning her the “Most Popular New Actress” award at the 2015 National Drama Awards. In 2016, she received further acclaim with the drama *Ma Lat’s Transformation Plan* and the film *The Charming Queen of the Rich*, where she won the Best Newcomer Award at the China-UK Film Festival.

In 2018, Dilraba played the lead role in the period drama *Legend of White Snake*, which was widely praised. That same year, she starred in the drama *One Thousand and One Nights* alongside actor Deng Lun, which also garnered significant attention.

Dong Liya, born in 1984 in Xinjiang, rose to fame in 2002 when she was crowned Miss Xinjiang. Despite her beauty, she didn't settle for just a pretty face and pursued her dreams further. She graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and quickly entered the acting world. With her striking looks, she was often cast as a beautiful heroine. In 2008, she portrayed the legendary figure of Zhao Feiyan in *Empresses in the Palace*. Her fame skyrocketed in 2011 with her role in *Palace: The Lock Heart Jade*.

The Xinhua News Agency has dubbed Dong Liya as the sweet beauty of Chinese television. The agency praised her saying, “It was only through her role as Tuoyuan in *Palace: The Lock Heart Jade* that Dong Liya entered the ranks of the ‘Four Great Beauties of Period Dramas,’ alongside Liu Shishi, Yang Mi, and Tang Yan. Later, she shone with her role as Xiao Deng in *Aftershock*, where she showcased a deep emotional range.”

Her beauty is undeniable, but it’s her talent that truly sets her apart. With every role, Dong Liya continues to capture the hearts of audiences. “Liya has a remarkable ability to bring her characters to life, leaving a lasting impression with each performance,” said critics.

Bai Xiao Nian, born on December 3, 1990, in Beijing, China, is a popular Chinese actress and television host. She gained widespread recognition for her role as the leading female character, Xiao Feng, in the TV drama adaptation *Eastern Palace*, which aired in February 2019.

*Eastern Palace* is a drama based on a novel by Fei Ge Tuo Cun. It tells the story of a complicated love and hate relationship between the Crown Prince of Zhongyuan, Li Chengyan, and Princess Xiao Feng of Western Liang. The two had a beautiful beginning, but Li Chengyan destroyed everything, tricking the innocent princess, leading her to lose her kingdom and family. After attempting suicide by drowning, Xiao Feng lost all memory of the events and was forced to marry Li Chengyan. After three years of being a submissive princess, the tragic events eventually restore her memories, and she decides to end her life, leaving Li Chengyan forever.

Fan Bingbing, born on September 16, 1981, is a Chinese actress, singer, model, and film producer. She is considered one of the top Chinese actresses and is often compared to the 'Four Great Actresses' of China, alongside actresses like Shu Qi and Tang Wei. Known for her stunning beauty and fashion-forward style, she has become a symbol of elegance in both China and across Asia.

Fan Bingbing is not just a household name in Chinese entertainment but has expanded her influence globally. Her involvement in film and television projects, especially historical dramas, has always attracted significant media attention from the moment they're announced. Her roles in period dramas are particularly admired for their grandeur and exquisite costuming.

Among the actresses famous for their period drama portrayals, Fan Bingbing stands out for her extravagant and opulent looks. In *The Empress of China*, her portrayal was nothing short of mesmerizing, with more than 3,000 costumes being prepared for the production team. Her captivating beauty in this drama helped achieve high viewership ratings. Following her success in *The Empress of China*, Fan Bingbing made her mark in cinema with the historical film *The Palace of Beauty*, where her portrayal of the legendary beauty Yang Guifei was as glamorous as her TV roles.

Liu Yifei made her debut in 2002 with a commercial directed by Chen Jinphi. She was soon cast by director Du Jinming as Bai Shuzhou in *The Jin Family*. Her next major role was as Wang Yuyan in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* alongside Lin Zhiling, which marked the beginning of her rise to fame as the 'crystal princess' or 'ancient beauty'.

When renowned author Jin Yong met Liu Yifei, he autographed her copy of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, writing, "Only after watching your portrayal of Wang Yuyan did readers realize that I wasn’t exaggerating." This performance earned her the title of 'Fairy Sister' in the public's eyes. Despite lacking experience, Liu Yifei received on-the-job training, with her adoptive father supporting her and the director arranging accelerated lessons on set. After the success of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, she became a household name in China.

In 2005 and 2006, Liu further cemented her place in entertainment with two major TV hits: *Chinese Paladin* (where she played Zhao Ling’er alongside Hu Ge) and *The Return of the Condor Heroes* (as Xiao Longnu alongside Huang Xiaoming). *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, based on Jin Yong's famous novel, was the highest-rated TV show in Asia in 2006, surpassing *Seven Swords* in viewership.

By 2019, Liu Yifei had turned 30 and her timeless beauty was celebrated worldwide. Fans marveled at her natural appearance, free from cosmetic surgery, and her graceful, pure, flawless beauty set her apart as one of the most revered actresses in the industry.

Yang Mi (born September 12, 1986) is a Chinese actress, model, singer, and film producer. She gained widespread fame for her roles as Guo Xiang in the 2006 television series *The Return of the Condor Heroes* and Bai Qian in *Eternal Love* (also known as *Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms*).

Her career truly shifted to the film industry after her standout performance as Guo Xiang in *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, directed by Wu Min. In 2009, she made a lasting impression with her portrayal of Xue Jian, starring opposite Hu Ge in the popular series *Chinese Paladin 3*. The 2011 drama *Palace: The Locked Heart* brought her even more success, earning her the title of 'Queen of TV Ratings' in 2012.

In 2017, she starred in *Eternal Love* as Bai Qian, opposite Zhao Youting. The series garnered over 5.2 billion online views, topping the viewership rankings (as of November 2019).

In historical dramas, Yang Mi is well-known for her beautiful yet simple and elegant costumes. Her portrayal of Bai Qian in *Eternal Love* is a prime example of this, where she captivated audiences with her graceful and refined look.