From gentle and ethereal beauty to regal elegance and commanding presence, the following 10 actresses have helped create some of the most iconic characters in hit Chinese costume dramas.

In recent years, Chinese television has seen the rise of a new generation of costume drama beauties whose stunning screen appearances have captivated audiences. Recently, a Weibo poll ranking the “Top 10 Most Beautiful Chinese Costume Drama Actresses” drew significant attention but also sparked intense debate. While many were surprised to see Dilraba Dilmurat ranked below Yang Zi, the biggest controversy centered on Bai Lu’s first-place finish, which has received strong criticism from many netizens.

10. Liu Shishi – A Journey to Love

A Journey to Love is one of Liu Shishi’s most notable costume dramas in recent years and attracted considerable audience interest. She plays Ren Ruyi, a cold-blooded assassin who was once the most outstanding Left Envoy of the An Kingdom’s intelligence agency.

The character is both beautiful and powerful, carrying a captivating sense of loneliness. Liu Shishi’s costumes primarily feature shades of red. Her everyday outfits embody the practical style of a female martial artist, while in the early episodes she also appears as a seductive dancer. Regardless of the look, the actress exudes classic Eastern beauty.

9. Chen Duling – Veil of Shadows

Chen Duling is widely regarded as one of today’s most beautiful costume drama actresses thanks to her elegant and classical appearance. After attracting attention with her revenge-driven heroine role in Ashes to Crown, she continued to impress in Veil of Shadows.

In the drama, Chen Duling portrays Wu Wangyan, the older sister of Lu Wuyi and a member of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. Her character is cold, alluring, manipulative, and highly intelligent. Combined with Chen Duling’s ethereal beauty and director Guo Jingming’s signature visual style, her on-screen appearance became even more striking. Following the releases of Veil of Shadows and Ashes to Crown, many viewers fell in love with her visuals.

8. Song Zu’er – The Prisoner of Beauty

From the moment it premiered, The Prisoner of Beauty left audiences amazed by Song Zu’er’s beauty. The highly anticipated costume drama did not disappoint when it came to styling and costumes.

Inspired by the Three Kingdoms era, the drama tells the love story of a heroic ruler and a stunning beauty amid turbulent times. The costumes are designed around clothing from that period, creating a distinctive visual identity. Song Zu’er is already considered one of the leading post-95 costume drama actresses, and her elegant war-era outfits make her almost impossible to look away from. The drama’s styling is praised for being sophisticated, luxurious, and authentically classical rather than overly flashy.

7. Tian Xiwei – Pursuit of Jade

Tian Xiwei ranks seventh with Pursuit of Jade. She plays Fan Changyu, a highly skilled martial artist born into a butcher’s family. The character is strong-willed, resilient, and naturally powerful.

Because of the character’s background, the styling focuses more on simplicity than glamour. In the early stages, she mainly wears rough-spun clothing before later appearing in armor. Nevertheless, the production paid close attention to every detail. The costume fabrics were carefully designed to feel realistic and suitable for her social status, while her braided hairstyles added charm and softened the character’s rugged image.

6. Meng Ziyi – Blossom

The success of Blossom helped establish Meng Ziyi as one of the new-generation leading actresses while also allowing her to leave a lasting impression as Dou Zhao, a smart and determined noblewoman navigating power struggles.

In the drama, the actress captivates viewers with a “strong female lead” image that balances elegance and strength. Her high court-style hairstyles, adorned with pearl hairpins and intricate ornaments, enhance her noble appearance. Combined with her fair complexion, clear yet determined eyes, and deep red lips, she perfectly embodies a gentle yet resilient classical beauty.

5. Gülnezer Bextiyar – Glory

Although producer Yu Zheng was often criticized for his aesthetic choices in the past, his visual style has earned increasing praise in recent years, especially after Story of Yanxi Palace. Glory is a prime example.

The drama centers on family rivalries within the tea industry. Its costumes are inspired by Ming Dynasty attire and incorporate tea-related elements such as tea leaf embroidery and tea-inspired color palettes. The overall style feels graceful, refined, and visually appealing.

Surprisingly, despite her distinctly Western-influenced features, Gülnezer Bextiyar fits Ming Dynasty fashion exceptionally well. Every one of her looks in the drama exudes captivating classical charm.

4. Dilraba Dilmurat – Love beyond the Grave

Dilraba Dilmurat made a strong impression with her appearance in Love beyond the Grave. She portrays He Simu, a Ghost Queen who has lived for over 400 years but lacks the five senses possessed by ordinary humans.

To emphasize the character’s supernatural nature, the production team created a mystical Eastern-inspired visual style. Her costumes are both luxurious and mysterious, perfectly complementing Dilraba’s striking beauty. The drama also received praise for incorporating traditional cultural elements into its costume design, including lotus flowers, vines, honeysuckle motifs, and Dunhuang-inspired patterns.

3. Ju Jingyi – Veil of Shadows

Although the drama received mixed reactions regarding its storyline, Veil of Shadows earned widespread praise for its visuals. Ju Jingyi and Chen Duling play twin sisters from the Nine-Tailed Fox clan.

Thanks to the fantasy setting, Ju Jingyi’s styling feels both seductive and refreshingly different from her previous looks. Under Guo Jingming’s direction, the drama is filled with visually stunning costumes. From dark green robes adorned with scale-like details to desert-inspired outfits paired with silver ethnic jewelry, every look resembles a work of art.

2. Yang Zi – Flourished Peony

In recent years, Yang Zi has continuously impressed audiences with costume dramas such as Flourished Peony and The Heir. Among them, Flourished Peony received the most praise for its styling.

Set during the Tang Dynasty, the drama features exceptionally detailed costumes and makeup. Hairstyles were recreated based on historical sculptures and murals from the era, creating a sense of authenticity and artistic value. The elegant costumes enhance Yang Zi’s beauty while perfectly capturing the charm of classical Eastern aesthetics.

1. Bai Lu – The First Jasmine

Topping the ranking is Bai Lu with her appearance in The First Jasmine. The drama stands out for its minimalist costume design, featuring soft color palettes, understated accessories, and an emphasis on highlighting classical beauty.

However, Bai Lu’s first-place ranking has generated significant controversy. Many netizens argue that while her styling in The First Jasmine is beautiful, it is not necessarily superior to competitors such as Gülnezer Bextiyar in Glory, Dilraba Dilmurat in Love beyond the Grave, or Chen Duling in Veil of Shadows.

Some believe the ranking may reflect Bai Lu’s popularity rather than a clear visual advantage. Additionally, the actress has frequently been at the center of online discussions due to personal rumors, relationship speculation, and career-related controversies. As a result, her first-place finish has prompted criticism from viewers who feel the outcome is not entirely convincing.

Sources: K14