Top 10 Chinese Drama in 2025 That You Must Watch

1. Legend of Female General

To protect her family's noble title, He Yan, the eldest daughter of the He family, is forced to don a mask and pose as the family's eldest son, "He Ru Fei." As a young girl, He Yan first meets the brilliant scholar Xiao Jue at Xianchang Academy. Determined to escape her family's fate, she leaves the academy and heads to the battlefield.

Years later, He Yan returns home as a celebrated hero, only to be betrayed by her family when her brother He Ru Fei reappears. Surviving the treachery, He Yan assumes a new identity as He Yan, the daughter of a city gate officer, and disguises herself as a man to join the military in Yezhou, vowing to reclaim everything that was taken from her.

In Yezhou, He Yan befriends the gentle and refined Chu Zhao and once again crosses paths with Xiao Jue. However, Xiao Jue suspects He Yan of being a spy and constantly tests her. Despite his suspicions, He Yan clings to Xiao Jue and proves her abilities by becoming the top soldier in Yezhou's defense force. Through various trials, including the Sun family incident, the Ji Yang Princess affair, and the battle to defend Rundu, the two face life and death together and gradually come to understand each other's true feelings.

(Source: Chinese = Baidu || Translation = MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the web novel "Rebirth of a Star General"(重生之女将星) by Qian Shan Cha Ke (千山茶客).

• Title: Legend of the Female General
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 36
• Aired: Aug 6, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025
• Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV, Tencent Video
• Duration: 40 min.

Main Cast:

• Zhou Ye: (He Yan / He Ru Fei / General Feihong)
• Cheng Lei: (Xiao Jue / Xiao Huai Jin / General Fengyun)

2. Youthful Glory

In the eleventh year of Chengkang, Prince Jiang Xu of Dingbei, who had guarded the border for eight years, returned to the Daxian Dynasty to investigate the case of embezzlement of military pay for the Dingbei army. Unexpectedly, there were many connections behind the corruption case. In order to find out the real culprit as soon as possible and clear the court, Jiang Xu volunteered to marry Ming Tan, who was also a general's daughter, so that the Ming family would not be exploited.

As the conspiracy was gradually revealed, Jiang Xu discovered that the murderer's corruption was related to the economic lifeline of the entire Daxian Dynasty, and he had to pull out all the stops and uproot all those related to him in the Dynasty. Unexpectedly, the Ming family was framed due to Jiang Xu's thorough investigation, and their family was ruined.

(Source: Chinese = Weibo || Translation = MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Xiao Dou Kou" (小豆蔻) by Bu Zhi Shi Ke Cai (不止是颗菜).

• Title: Youthful Glory
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 30
• Aired: May 19, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025
• Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Song Wei Long: (Jiang Xu)
• Bao Shang En: (Ming Tan)

3. Summit of Our Youth

In her past life, Gu Xue Jiao failed her college entrance exams due to her "love-obsessed" mindset. After years of struggling in the workplace, she remained a bottom-tier outsourcing employee. She even became the primary target of her "ruthless boss", Lin Zhi Hua, during a round of layoffs. When Gu Xue Jiao confronted Lin Zhi Hua, an unexpected twist sent her back in time to her third year of high school.

Given a second chance, Gu Xue Jiao learns from her previous mistakes. Determined to prioritize her studies over romance, she transforms from being "love-focused" to "career-focused". While rewriting her destiny, she also forges a sweet and mutually fulfilling romance with Lin Zhi Hua, where both individuals become significant influences on each other's lives.

(Source: Chinese = Youku || Translation = MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the web novel "Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua" (谈恋爱不如上清华) by Shi Wei Tu (十尾兔).

• Title: Summit of Our Youth
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 23
• Aired: Aug 7, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025
• Original Network: Youku
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Sun Zhen Ni: (Gu Xue Jiao)
• Chen Jing Ke: (Lin Zhi Hua)

4. Moonlit Reunion

Wu Zhen, known throughout Chang'an City as a notorious dandy, has a unique and extraordinary background. As the daughter of the Duke of Henan and sister to the queen, she has enjoyed a life of luxury and indulgence. With a bold, uninhibited nature, Wu Zhen is infamous for dressing in men's clothes, frequenting the Lefang brothel, and leading a band of aristocratic youths on wild escapades. Her carefree lifestyle, however, conceals a deeper, supernatural secret.

From a young age, Wu Zhen could see spirits, a gift that marked her path to an unusual destiny. After a fateful fall from a building, she was saved by the former Cat Master, who passed on his demonic powers to her. Now, Wu Zhen stands as the new Cat Master, quietly governing Chang'an's hidden Demon City and maintaining order among the supernatural beings that reside there.

Mei Zhu Yu is a Taoist prodigy. Nephew to a noble concubine, Mei Zhu Yu shares Wu Zhen’s ability to see spirits. Sent to a Taoist temple in his youth, he honed his spiritual powers and quickly rose to prominence within Taoism. Although he hides his abilities from the world, his skill in Daoist arts is unmatched, making him an invaluable ally to Wu Zhen.

Together, Wu Zhen and Mei Zhu Yu form an unlikely but harmonious pair. Their daily life unfolds in a world where human and spirit realms intersect, filled with love, laughter, and moments of tenderness, as they navigate their roles as protectors of the unseen world.

(Source: Chinese Novel, Weibo; edited by MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the web novel "Mei Fu Ren Chong Fu Ri Chang" (梅夫人宠夫日常) by Fu Hua (扶华).

• Title: Moonlit Reunion
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 38
• Aired: Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 2, 2025
• Original Network: Tencent Video
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Xu Kai: (Mei Zhu Yu)
• Tian Xi Wei: (Wu Zhen)

5. Long For Fish

Modern-day office drone Zou Yan accidentally stumbles into the world of cultivation and wakes up as Liao Ting Yan, a disciple of the Qinggutian Sect. She's soon selected to serve the reclusive Grandmaster Sima Jiao, a powerful cultivator who's been secretly sealed inside a mountain for 500 years. Twisted by isolation and rage, he's cold, hot-tempered, and bent on revenge. Liao Ting Yan doesn't know that "her" original identity is a demonic assassin. But to his surprise, she shows no ill will, no ambition, and no desire at all. Her nature fascinates him. Thus begins an unlikely romance between a villainous immortal and a healing-type "slacker," a connection that defies fate and spans lifetimes.

(Source: Youku)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Xiang Shi Zu Xian Shang Xian Yu" (向师祖献上咸鱼) by Fu Hua (扶华).

• Title: When Destiny Brings the Demon
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 33
• Aired: Aug 16, 2025 - Sep 1, 2025
• Original Network: Youku
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Arthur Chen/Chen Feiyu: (Sima Jiao)
• Wang Ying Lu: (Liao Ting Yan / Shi Yan / Zou Yan)

6. Coroner's Diary

The story follows Shen Wan, the daughter of Shen Yi, a high-ranking official of the Supreme Court, whose entire family is massacred after being implicated in the Prince of Jin case. Shen Wan escapes to Jingzhou by disguising herself as Qin Wan, the Ninth Lady of the Qin family; where she learns all about medicine and how to perform autopsies.

She not only excels at healing the sick and saving lives but is also skilled in being a professional coroner to investigate crimes. During her investigations, Qin Wan meets Yan Chi, the crown prince of King Rui. Yan Chi is determined to clear the Prince of Jin’s name, an ambition that aligns with Qin Wan’s own mission to vindicate her father. The two return to the capital together, solving a series of strange and mysterious cases along the way. After returning, the discovery of a skeleton leads to the reopening of the Prince of Jin case. As they delve deeper, Yan Chi and Qin Wan gradually uncover the truth and ultimately expose a shocking secret buried deep within the palace.

(Source: iQIY; edited by MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the web novel "The Powerful and Favored Coroner Imperial Concubine" (权宠之仵作医妃) by Bu Yue Qian Zhuang (步月浅妆).

• Title: Coroner's Diary
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 38
• Aired: Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
• Original Network: iQiyi
• Duration: 40 min.

Main Cast:

• Li Landi: (Shen Wan / Qin Wan)
• Ao Rui Peng: (Yan Chi)

7. The Seven Relics of Ill Omen

In ancient times, a mysterious substance descended upon Fengzi Ridge. Capable of parasitic invasion, it twisted the human heart and lured its host towards evil. Now, these relics of omen have reemerged, unleashing a series of bizarre and gruesome murders.

Five ordinary yet passionate young people — Luo Ren, Mu Dai, Yi Wan San, Yan Hong Sha, and Cao Yan Hua —are drawn into this crisis through their own fateful encounters. They form the "Phoenix Squad" and embark on a perilous quest to subdue these seven omens. Amid life-and-death trials, Luo Ren and Mu Dai heal each other's wounds and form a genuine bond that transcends friendship. Through a long and arduous journey fraught with danger, the five overcome relentless challenges, and their friendship is tested and deepened in the fires of adversity.

(Source: DramaWiki; edited by MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Qi Gen Xiong Jian" (七根凶简) by Wei Yu (尾鱼).

• Title: The Seven Relics of Ill Omen
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 32
• Aired: Jun 8, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025
• Original Network: Youku
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Song Wei Long: (Luo Ren / “Radish”)
• Liu Hao Cun: (Mu Dai / “Pocket”)
• Ao Rui Peng: (Jiang Zhao / Yi Wan San / "Thirteen)
• Wang Yi Ting: (Yan Hong Sha / “Fiery”)
• Zhang Yi Chi: (Cao Yan Hua / “Chubby”)

8. Shadow Love

Li Shuang, a female general of Taijin, takes in an amnesiac man she finds by chance, and names him Jin An. Jin An accompanies Li Shuang wholeheartedly, and the two secretly fall in love.

However, when Jin An remembers that he is actually the prince of an enemy state, the two devoted lovers have no choice but to take up arms against each other. Jin An also has another identity where he is a supernatural warrior named Xuan Yi Ke, who remembers Li Shuang, loves her unconditionally, and swears to protect her no matter what. Jaded by war, they decide to join forces to resolve the crisis and uphold justice.

(Source: iQiyi; edited by MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Yu Jin Chang An" (与晋长安) by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (九鹭非香).

• Title: Shadow Love
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 38
• Aired: Aug 24, 2025 - Sep 7, 2025
• Original Network: iQiyi
• Duration: 40 min.

Main Cast:

• Song Yi: (Li Shuang / General Zhenbei)
• Cheng Lei: (Duan Ao Deng / Prince Annan / Jin An / Xuan Yi Ke)

9. The Wanted Detective

Xiao Bei Ming, the best detective in Qi, flees after being accused of serial murder. Three years later, he returns to the capital and joins forces with his junior Zhong Xue Man and a group of witty and courageous partners, Feng Qing Zhuo, Huo Dai Rong, Tong Shuang, & Zhuge Kong Yun, to solve several strange cases, uncover the truth about the Night Evil, calm down the turmoil in Qi, and protect the people of the world.

(Source: iQiyi; edited by MyDramaList)

• Title: The Wanted Detective
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 36
• Aired: Aug 1, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
• Original Network: iQiyi
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Wang Xing Yue: (Xiao Bei Ming)
• Xiang Han Zhi: (Zhong Xue Man)

10. Twelve Letters

It follows the mysterious and emotional journey of Tang Yi Xun and his lover, Ye Hai Tang. When Hai Tang vanishes without warning, Yi Xun discovers a letter waiting in a mailbox. He writes back and realizes they are not only separated by distance but also by time. Across twelve letters spanning thirty-five years, their connection endures as they search for truth and hope, weaving together love, longing, and the challenges of fate.

(Source: Viki; edited by MyDramaList)

• Title: Twelve Letters
• Type: Drama
• Country: China
• Episodes: 12
• Aired: Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 1, 2025
• Original Network: Tencent Video
• Duration: 45 min.

Main Cast:

• Zhou Yi Ran: (Tang Yi Xun)
• Wang Ying Lu: (Ye Hai Tang)

Whether you enjoy heartwarming romances, thrilling mysteries, or historical epics, 2025 has something for every drama lover. Hopefully, this list helps you discover your next binge-worthy show. These are my picks for the Top 10 Chinese dramas of 2025 — but what about you? Do you have a favorite, or maybe a hidden gem I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to hear your recommendations! 🥰