A lot of people on blog website including me have made posts about top wuxia dramas to watch but we always end up adding Xianxia dramas to the list. So in today's video, I am only gonna include wuxia dramas on this list.
Wuxia literary translates to Martial Heroes and it's set in Jiang Hu. Jiang Hu means lakes and rivers. In the west, Superman and Batman can be considered martial heroes but in Chinese drama land, wuxia dramas are set in ancient China.
Wuxia dramas contest of Jiang hu, martial arts, swordsman, and the characters must know some form of martial arts.
1. Nirvana In Fire 瑯琊榜
Starring Hu Ge, Tamia Liu & Wang Kai, Nirvana In Fire is a 54 episode drama that tells the story of a brilliant strategist who helps an uncovered prince battle for the throne.
The screenplay is well-written and the storyline is well-paced as plots get revealed. You know how most shows are pretty boring in the beginning and only get interesting around episode 15 or so, well Nirvana In Fire is amazing and it'll hook you in right from the 1st episode.
The drama has also got an amazing cast but it is a political drama as well as a wuxia drama and it might not be for everyone.
2. Word Of Honor 山河令
Starring Zhang Zhehan & Simon Gong, Word Of Honor 山河令 is a 36 episode drama that tells the story of Zhou Zishu, who gets embroiled in a conspiracy in the martial arts world after quitting his job as the leader of an organization that is responsible for protecting royalty.
Along his way through Jianghu, he meets Wen Kexing, a mysterious martial artist who leaves the ghost valley to avenge his parent's death. They become good friends and embark on an adventure to find a legendary treasure that gives its owner ultimate power over Jiangsu.
Word Of Honor is a bl, wuxia drama that took everyone by surprise when it premiered towards the end of February with 0 promotions and it skyrocketed to the top being one of the most top viewed and highly rated dramas at the moment.
The chemistry between Zhang Zhehan and Simon Gong is phenomenal and fans of the novel are quite happy because of how faithful it has stayed to the book in terms of its fantastic casting and screenwriting. Word Of Honor will hook you from the very beginning.
3. Ancient Detective 侠探简不知
Starring Tim Yu, Wang Yanyang & Rachel Wang, Ancient Detective is a 24 episode drama that follows the story of an amnesiac detective Jian Buzhi who sets out on a quest to find the truth about his father's death and unmask his father's killer. He finds love and a good friend along his journey through Jianghu who works with him to solve mysterious cases.
Ancient Detective is a wuxia mystery drama and the plot is not unpredictable but interestingly executed. It has its twists and turns and a certain amount of cliffhangers in every episode.
The chemistry between the male and female lead is on point as well as their acting including the second male lead. The second male lead is so funny and I can't wait for the second season.
Ancient Detective is a low-budget drama but the fighting scenes are beautifully done and the cinematography has the Jianghu vibe.
4. Love In Between 少年游之一寸相思
Starring Gala Zhang & Zhang Yaqin, Love In Between is a 43 episode drama that tells the story of Zuo Qing Ci, the son of a Marquis who hides his noble roots to travel in Jianghu as a physician in search of a missing scroll of the mountain river painting that belongs to the Imperial court. Along the way, he meets a bandit named Fek Kou Er and they fall in love.
The drama is intelligently written and viewers will get hooked right from the very beginning. The drama has an amazing storyline with dark and intriguing wuxia plots with a lot of close-up scenes but the fight scene is well made.
The drama is different from other wuxia dramas and the plot is well driven. The drama has the right amount of sadness as well as sweetness. The visuals were pretty good and the martial arts was well executed.
5. The Legend Of The Condor Heroes 射雕英雄傳
Starring William Yang, Li Yitong, Chen Xingxu & Zoey Meng, The Legend Of The Condor Heroes is a 52 episode drama that's set in the Song dynasty and it revolves around the friendship of two men, Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian, who became heroes in their own right as they fought the Jin invaders.
Their bond was so strong that they pledge to each other that their unborn children will become sworn siblings if they are the same gender or get married if they're not.
The drama focuses on the trials and tribulations of their sons after Guo Xiaotian's death and Yang Tiexin's disappearance. This is the 10th remake of The Legend Of The Condor Heroes classic.
For those who don't know, The Legend Of The Condor Heroes is the first Of The Condor trilogy with the second being The Return Of The Condor Heroes and the third being Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Sabre.
These stories keep getting remade because they're wuxia classics. If you're looking for a puer wuxia drama gam packed with lots of action, check out The Legend Of The Condor Heroes.
6. Love A Lifetime 暮白首
Starring Allen Ren & Zhang Huiwen, Love A Lifetime is a 45 episode drama that tells the story of Nalan Yue, a man with two identities who falls for Rong Hua, a young maiden with a good heart yet their ties are deeper and more complicated due to the generation before them.
The fight scenes are exciting and generally well done and it's one of the drama's highlights. The pace is neither fast nor slow, but rather just enough for the necessary events to occur.
The drama is filled with multi-dimensional characters that leave you thinking about what the characters' next action will be.
7. Handsome Siblings 绝代双骄
Starring Chen Zheyuan & Hu Yitian, Handsome Siblings is a 44 episode drama that tells the story of twin brothers who were separated at birth but grew up to be supreme martial artists.
They were raised to take revenge on each other but find themselves becoming good friends. Together they vow to take the martial arts world by storm and search for their true identities.
The relationship between the two main leads was one of the selling points for this drama and I also liked how Chen Zheyuan portrayed Xiaoyu'er. He was cute, funny, natural and I don't think they could have cast a better person other than Chen Zheyuan.
If you're here for romance, you'll probably be disappointed. The drama isn't focused much on relationships. If you hate love triangles as I do, don't worry because it ain't the main point of the drama.
It creates the right amount of conflict that leads to growth. The fight scenes were cool, and I love how they were choreographed.
8. Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Sabre 倚天屠龙记
Starring Joseph Zeng, Yukee Chen & Bambi Zhu, Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Sabre is a 50 episode drama that tells the story of Zhang Wuji, a young boy who became an orphan at a young age when his parents got involved in the Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Saber as it's said whoever obtains it will have the ultimate power to rule the world. Years later, Wuji finds himself embroiled in the power struggle and must fight to save himself and his loved ones.
Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Sabre is the last of The Condor trilogy classic. This is a puer wuxia drama and it contains all the elements of wuxia.
The fight scenes are well done but they used too many slow motions and CGI that's not believable but overall, it's a good drama to check out.
9. And The Winner Is Love 月上重火
Starring Luo Yunxi & Yukee Chen, And The Winner Is Love is a 48 episode drama that tells the story of Chong Xue Zhi, the young mistress of the Hall of Flame who sets out on a journey through Jianghu and she meets Shangguan Tou, the master of the Moon Valley who falls for her.
I don't know much about this drama because I dropped it around episode 8 or so. I personally think the plot of this drama could've been so much better if the scriptwriter actually focused on the plot and not so much on the conversations and its slow pace.
10. Legend Of Fei 有翡
Starring Zhao Liying & Wang Yibo, Legend Of Fei is a 51 episode drama that tells the story of Zhou Fei, a martial arts natural from a prominent family who runs away from home and travels across the land to cultivate her skills as she learns from different masters. She meets Xie Yun, the son of the Crown Prince of the Southern Dynasty who saves her from drowning, and together they fight evil forces in the pugilistic world.
The CGI was average, and it was limited to few scenes especially involving animals but the soundtrack was nice and I enjoyed the opening OST. I finished watching all the 51 episodes of Legend Of Fei and it's a good drama to check out if you're a fan of Zhao Liying and Wang Yibo.
11. Swordsman 笑傲江湖
Starring Wallace Huo, Joe Chen & Yuan Shanshan. Swordsman is a 42 episode drama that tells the story of Ling Hu Chong, an orphan who is a senior student of the Huashan Sect and his journey and development as a swordsman through Jianghu. Along his journey, he finds friendship and love.
The chemistry between Ling Hu Chong and Dongfang Bu Bai is sizzling. It's the best feature of this drama and I love the opening OST. It's a good drama to check out if you're into wuxia and a fair size of romance on the side.
12. The Moon Brightens For You 明月曾照江东寒
Starring Alan Yu & Xing Fei, The Moon Brightens For You is a 36 episode drama that follows the story of Lin Fang and Zhan Qing Hong as they experience struggle and growth to become the martial arts leader of jianghu. The first half of the drama focuses on the relationship between the second male lead and the main female lead.
Although some parts are relatively light-hearted, there are still serious and captivating moments. What makes the drama stand out is the plot as it starts relatively cliche and lighted and it moves to a more serious tone as it progresses.
13. The Romance Of The Condor Heroes 神雕侠侣
Starring Chen Xiao & Michelle Chen, The Romance Of The Condor Heroes is a 54 episode drama that tells the story of Yang Guo and his love interest Xiaolong Nu whose also his teacher as it's forbidden for the master and his apprentice to fall in love. The Romance Of The Condor Heroes is the second of The Condor trilogy classic.
Let me know in the comment section down below if you'll check out any of The Condor trilogies.
14. Listening Snow Tower 听雪楼
Starring Qin Junjie & Crystal Yuan, Listening Snow Tower is a 56 episode drama that follows the master of Listening Snow Tower and the woman he loves also known as the blood demon's daughter. The drama is set in the pugilistic world where swordsmen roam and different sects fight for power.
Listening Snow Tower has an interesting story but many scenes dragged on for too long in my opinion. The drama has beautiful cinematography and it kinda gave me Legend Of Fuyao vibes. The martial arts scenes are quite good as well.
15. The Long Ballad 长歌行
Starring Dilireba, Leo Wu & Zhao Lusi, The Long Ballad is a 49 episodes drama that follows the story of Li Chang Ge, who vows to avenge her parents when her family gets murdered by Li Shi Min, the emperor of Tang, during the Xuanwu gate incident.
She heads to Shuo Province under the disguise of a man with hopes of raising an army to kill Li Shi Min to avenge her family's death and she meets General Ashina Sun who takes her in to serve him as his personal military strategist.
The drama premiered a few weeks ago and it's thrilling and suspenseful. It is fast-paced and ripping and is set in different kingdoms like Nirvana In Fire, where different kingdoms fight for power so it might not be for everyone.
The drama is a political drama with lots of action so I thought of adding it to the list. If you plan on checking out The Long Ballad, do check out Princess Agents starring Zhao Liying and Kenny Lin as well. Both dramas contain a fair amount of action though they ain't considered wuxia dramas.
Let me in the comment section down below which of these dramas you're gonna check out. If you fail to find where to watch any drama on this list.
ancient Chinese drama you may like:
