Asian dramas like
Palace Of Desire

Empress Wu Ze Tian made history as the only woman to ascend to the throne in ancient China. She was not born into nobility, but rather as the daughter of a wood merchant named Wu Shi Huo. Merchants were viewed negatively in those times, considered greedy and ruthless. Wu Ze Tian's mother, Princess Yang, hailed from the noble Sui Dynasty, which was overthrown by the Tang Dynasty following conflicts between Yang Guang and Li Shi Min. Princess Yang lived a commoner's life until her marriage in her forties, giving birth to two daughters, with Mei Niang being the second. Mei Niang was chosen to enter the Imperial Palace at the age of fourteen during Li Shi Min's reign as emperor. Initially enamored by her beauty, Li Shi Min's attention later shifted to another young woman named Xu Hui, who shared Mei Niang's intelligence and wit. Rumors circulated in Chang'an City about an empress named Wu who would seize power and eliminate the Li family's descendants. Li Shi Min suspected Wu Ze Tian could be this prophesied empress, considering eliminating her as a precaution. However, he ultimately decided to spare her life and advised her to become a nun at Ganye Temple alongside some of his other consorts. In that era, the notion of a woman ruler was deemed preposterous.

Narrates the tale of the sole female ruler in Chinese history who held the position of Empress Regnant. Based on the life of Wu Ze Tian.

In the year 637 AD, a young maiden named Wu Ru Yi from Jingzhou County was chosen to join the imperial harem of the Tang Dynasty. Ru Yi displayed exceptional dancing skills that set her apart from the other girls. One day, during a practice session, she captured the attention and affection of Emperor Tai Zong Li Shi Min, who gave her the nickname Meiniang, meaning graceful lady. At that time, she was 14 years old while he was 39. On the same evening, a fellow girl was found dead, leading to accusations against Meiniang as the culprit. She was subjected to torture in order to extract a confession and was subsequently banished to the Cold Palace. There are four versions of this story available: 96 episodes lasting 30 minutes each on Hunan Satellite TV, 82 episodes lasting 45 minutes each on DVD, 75 episodes lasting 60 minutes each on TVB, and 86 episodes lasting 30 minutes each on Zhejiang Satellite.

The fourth part of the "Mi Shi" series offers a fictionalized portrayal of Kang Xi's journey to ruling independently, including romantic entanglements and intense moments. Following the death of Regent Suo Ni in the eighth year of Emperor Kang Xi's reign, Kang Xi sees a chance to establish his authority. During a visit to a minister's home, Kang Xi meets and falls for Qing Ge Er, the lovely daughter of Ao Bai. Unaware of Kang Xi's true status, Qing Ge Er tries to resist his advances. Nalan Xing De, the brave and skilled son of Minister Nalan Ming Zhu, intervenes to protect her, provoking the displeasure of the Emperor. This initial confrontation sets the stage for both competition and eventual mutual admiration.

The plot revolves around the connection between Wu Ze Tian, the sole woman to ever rule as an emperor in Chinese history, and Xie Yao Huan, an imagined female official who works in Wu's palace.

The story delves into the power dynamics within the royal family, focusing on the strategic moves made by the women of the inner court. This captivating tale uncovers a complex web of love, vengeance, and manipulation that lurks behind the royal throne. Taken from Mu Fei's online novel.

Li Bing He and Li Yu Fan are fraternal twins who have shared identical dreams since childhood. When Li Yu Fan falls into a coma following a car accident, Li Bing He attempts to utilize their shared dream world to bring her back. In this dream, Li Yu Fan becomes the esteemed Wu Mei Niang, her admirer Da Gang transforms into the court jester, and Li Bing He takes on the role of the Lord of Nan Chang. Together, they navigate a world filled with palace conspiracies where only the most cunning can survive. (DramaWiki)

The film depicts the real-life events during Emperor Wu's rule in the Han Dynasty, highlighting his triumphs, setbacks, life journey, and the brutal truths of existence. The screenplay drew inspiration from Ban Gu's "Book of Han" and Sima Qian's "History Records."

This series follows the story of Empress Dowager Feng, a formidable ruler of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

A baby boy is born one fateful night, bearing a jade pendant and a mark on his left shoulder that reveals his true identity as the emperor's son. Raised as an orphan named Xue Ping Gui to protect him from threats on his life, he later falls in love with Wang BaoChuan, the third daughter of the emperor's prime minister. Despite their love, they face opposition from her disapproving father and societal norms during the Tang Dynasty. The couple must overcome numerous obstacles and make sacrifices for their love to survive.

The narrative unfolds during the Tang Dynasty, beginning from the latter part of Wu Ze Tian's rule to Emperor Xuan Zong's rise to power.

During the seasons of Spring and Autumn, the nation was protected by King Wu's sons, Bo Jian and Zhong Hao. Bo Jian was born to Madam Zhao, while Zhong Hao was born to Concubine Wu Xian. King Wu was filled with happiness upon the birth of his two sons, and the entire country celebrated. Bo Jian was appointed as Wei Xuan Wang's successor by defender Wu Wangxuan, and Zhong Hao was given the title of Yong Jia Hou. Han Ying Zhu sought revenge against Hong Shun in the capital for his father's death, with Bo Jian's assistance in bringing Hong Shun to justice. Both Bo Jian and Zhong Hao developed feelings for Ying Zhu, who agreed to marry Bo Jian. Zhong Hao, yearning for power, found himself at a loss.

During the transition from the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, the Chu-Han Contention unfolded with both tragedy and heroism. General Li Cang, serving under Liu Bang, sustained severe injuries during the conflict and stumbled upon Fengzhen near Lake Yunmeng by chance. This unexpected visit by Li Cang had a profound impact on the lives of several young individuals in the village. Xin Zhui, a young girl, came to the rescue of the injured and unconscious Li Cang, who was then entrusted to her care by her dying father. This sudden turn of events led to Xin Zhui becoming the general's wife, while her neighbor Fu Shen took on the role of protecting her and transformed into a chivalrous knight. Additionally, a prostitute named Nan Shi was captivated by Liu Bang, leading him down a path of pursuing fame and wealth. Both a 34-episode TV version and a 40-episode DVD version of this story are available.

The sudden passing of Wu Mei Niang's infant daughter led to speculation that the childless Empress Wang Ni Jun may have been involved in a possible murder. To clear the Empress' name, her former lover Ming Chong Yan and close friend Helan Xin Er decided to investigate the tragic event. Their inquiry revealed that the infant's death was just one part of a larger conspiracy to take over the palace. The storyline is divided into three parts based on Chinese mythological figures representing man, ghost, and demon.

Di Renjie, a government official and investigator during the Tang dynasty, delves into enigmatic homicides.

In the Tang Dynasty, two women were scheduled to get married on the same day. On their way to their new homes, they had to take shelter in a temple due to a rain shower. Once the rain stopped, Du Bing Yan and Li Yu Hu continued their journey. Little did they know, the attendants who were carrying their carriages mistakenly delivered each bride to the wrong groom. Despite facing challenges, the couples eventually developed feelings for each other. This story highlights the idea that it's better to be on the wrong bridal carriage than to marry the wrong person. (DramaWiki)

Towards the end of the Sui dynasty, Emperor Li Guang grows suspicious of General Li Yuan's allegiance. To ensure his loyalty, Li Guang arranges for his daughter Ruo Xi to marry Li Yuan's eldest son, Li Jian Cheng. However, Ruo Xi is already in love with Li Yuan's second son, Li Shi Min. This causes a rift between the two brothers and their followers, ultimately resulting in the downfall of the Sui dynasty and the rise of the Tang dynasty.

For generations, the Gu and Fan families have been rivaling each other in the embroidery industry. In a bid to secure a male successor for their family business, the Gu family exchanged their baby daughter with the Shen family's son in secret. Unexpectedly, the daughter they gave away blossomed into a renowned embroidery expert, while the son they received in return brought misfortune to their business... (DramaWiki)

Xie Yao Huan is an imagined female investigator in the Tang dynasty, known for unraveling multiple enigmatic cases while serving under Empress Wu Ze Tian.

A sweeping story of war and a timeless romance set in the midst of conflict in ancient China's Tang Dynasty. (Viki)

In the third part of the series, the Grand Empress returns to confront the gang once again. Displeased with Yong Qi's failure to produce an heir, she forces him to marry another woman in hopes of having a son who could potentially become the emperor in the future. Xiao Jian, the brother of Xiao Yan Zi, is in love with Qing Er, but holds a grudge against the emperor for the past murder of their parents. Qing Er's fate lies in the hands of the Grand Empress, as she is favored by her. To allow Qing Er and Xiao Jian to be together, Yong Qi decides to marry the other woman. Yong Qi selflessly sacrifices himself to ensure the happiness of Qing Er and Xiao Jian. Meanwhile, the neighboring nation is on the brink of war, leading to Er Kang being drafted. During a significant battle, Er Kang loses his memory and falls in love with another woman. The question remains: will Er Kang reunite with Zi Wei, and will Yong Qi develop feelings for his second wife?

In a twist of events, Princess An Ding Si, the eldest daughter of Wu Ze Tian, was not killed as history suggests, but instead managed to escape the country. As she grew older, she returned under a new identity to seek revenge on her mother for using her to achieve her goal of becoming the first female ruler of China. By posing as her younger sister, she became known as Princess Tai Ping, the most adored child of Empress Wu Ze Tian. Exploiting her mother's fondness for Tai Ping, the princess manipulated the court to further her own ambitions of seizing power and ruling China.

Emperor Tai Zong of the Tang Dynasty appointed competent and honest individuals to key positions by carefully selecting and utilizing his ministers. Tai Zong was known for seeking candid feedback and constructive criticism from his advisors, demonstrating a deep respect for life and a willingness to listen. By surrounding himself with upright ministers like Wei Zheng, he displayed humility and openness to guidance. During his rule, Tai Zong prioritized agriculture, promoted frugality, and revitalized culture and religion, including enhancing the imperial examination system. These efforts contributed to a stable society. In the military, he quelled unrest caused by Tu Jue's influence, while also showing respect for the traditions of ethnic minorities in border regions, leading to peace and stability. Tai Zong's reign, known as Zhenguan (626-649), marked the first golden age of the Tang Dynasty and set the stage for the prosperous Kaiyuan era.

Princess Sheng Ping is a determined royal who has a strong affection for Jiju. She escapes the palace to watch her favorite Jiju player, Chen Shao Tang, and amusingly crosses paths with Guo Ai, the sixth son of the Prince of Fenyang. Despite a rocky start, they eventually become close friends by helping each other and making valuable connections. Their bond deepens after failed romances lead them to marriage, although challenges arise due to Sheng Ping's royal status. Trouble brews when Guo Ai's ex-lover, Luo Xia, returns to cause discord. A drunken Guo Ai lashes out at Sheng Ping after she misses a family celebration, leading to a strained relationship between them. (DramaWiki; adapted from the Chinese folk tale "Zui Da Jin Zhi")

Xu He Zi, a talented singer and dancer hailing from Yongxin, Jiangxi, finds herself enamored with her childhood companion, the scholar Yin Meng He. Despite her affections, she is forcefully taken from her home by local authorities and transported to the palace in Chang'an. Upon entering the imperial harem, she becomes entangled in a power struggle between Consort Mei and Imperial Consort Yang. Despite her desire to depart the palace, fate intervenes and she catches the attention of Emperor Xuan Zong with her melodic voice, leading him to bestow upon her the title of "Singing Consort".

Drawn from the tales of Wu Ze Tian and Di Ren Jie, the series centers on a mystical pearl concealing a little-known secret that triggers a series of perplexing incidents. (D-addicts)

The series depicts historical events in China from the late 1800s to early 1900s, which resulted in the downfall of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. It covers significant occurrences during the late Qing dynasty and Republican period, including the First Sino-Japanese War, the Hundred Days' Reform, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Xinhai Revolution. Various factions, including monarchists, reformers, and revolutionaries, offer different solutions to the Qing dynasty's worsening situation, all aiming towards a common objective of restoring China as a sovereign, international, and independent nation.

A Chinese historical TV show is centered on the Transition from the Sui dynasty to the Tang dynasty, focusing on the character Li Shi Min who later becomes Emperor Tai Zong of the Tang dynasty. Li is portrayed as a virtuous and fearless leader who is willing to sacrifice his life for the empire when necessary.

This tale takes place in the Tang dynasty, under the rule of Emperor Tai Zong. Princess Gao Yang, the beloved daughter of Lady Dai and the Emperor, enjoyed a life of luxury with numerous servants. Despite her engagement to a wealthy noble named Fang Yi Ai, she falls in love with a monk called Bian Ji. Their forbidden romance faces many obstacles, as Bian Ji is dedicated to a life without love, while Gao Yang is of high status as a princess. Meanwhile, Emperor Tai Zong navigates through political challenges and the intrigues of his harem, where the consorts compete for his favor. The entrance of a new maiden named Mei Niang adds further complexity to the situation.

Yang Gui Fei, known as one of ancient China's Four Great Beauties, is the central figure in this drama depicting the complexities of her romantic life. She was originally married to Prince Shou, a son of Emperor Xuan Zong, but caught the emperor's eye and was forced to divorce her husband. Becoming Xuan Zong's imperial consort, she was known as Yang Gui Fei. Xuan Zong's infatuation with her caused him to neglect his duties as emperor, leading to a power struggle involving An Lu Shan and Yang Guo Zhong, who had gained power through Yang Gui Fei's influence. The consequences were severe, with Yang Gui Fei being blamed for a rebellion that forced Xuan Zong to make a difficult decision.

The narrative focuses on the selection of Yang Yu Huan, a commoner, to join the Emperor's concubines. In contrast to typical historical dramas centered on warfare or fame, this series highlights the romantic relationship between Yang Gui Fei and Emperor Ming of Tang.

Set in the historical backdrop of Emperor Kangxi's reign, this period drama explores themes of romance, betrayal, loyalty, and intrigue within the palace walls. The focus is on the transformation of a Princess from a carefree, naive young lady to a mature woman, wife, and mother, delving deep into the complexities of love, commitment, and happiness. The intertwined love stories of other characters add depth to the narrative, prompting viewers to question the sacrifices demanded by love and loyalty. (Viki)

During the chaotic downfall of the Great Ning Dynasty, Pei Shen Zhi uses the late emperor's decree to install Ning Jin Yi as a figurehead ruler. Despite her compliant facade, Ning Jin Yi quietly consolidates her authority and advocates for change within the regime. Pei Shen Zhi is captivated by her cleverness and gets caught up in her ascent as she eliminates dissent in the royal court.

This story delves into the intense power struggle among imperial consorts during the Qing Dynasty. The Forbidden Palace is divided into two factions: Chuan Fei and Xiang Bin. Fearing the loss of the emperor's favor, Chuan seeks a replacement in the imperial concubine selection to rival Xiang for the position of Empress. Si Lin Chun escapes on her wedding day to participate in the selection and encounters a man named Ding An along the way. Jing Zhen and Lord Yi Hui, who have been close since childhood, are in love, but Jing decides to become a beloved concubine for the sake of improving relations with Mongolia. Desperate, Lord Yi Hui constantly seeks out Jing, while Si finds comfort in Lord Yi Hui. The complicated love triangle adds further chaos to the Forbidden Palace.

Dik Yan Kit was a renowned chancellor in ancient China, serving during both the Tang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty. He earned the trust of Mo Chak Tin, who was the ruler at the time. Unfortunately, Mo Sing Chi, the Empress's nephew, harbored jealousy towards Dik and falsely accused him of plotting with his son-in-law, Sung Ting Yuk, to take over the throne. As a result, Dik's family was captured, but he managed to escape amidst the chaos. In a bid to further harm Dik, Mo Sing Chi threatened to harm Dik's wife, Cho Yuet. The question remains - will Dik Yan Kit emerge victorious against his adversaries?

During the prosperous era of the Tang dynasty, a youthful individual by the name of Di Ren Jie traveled to the capital to participate in an imperial examination. While in the midst of the assessment, he thwarted an assassination plot aimed at Empress Wu. Impressed by his courage and cleverness, the empress tasked him with delving into the incident.

The plot of this series revolves around Empress Wu Zetian, Emperor Gaozong, and Di Renjie as they navigate through different adventures, including investigations at the Buddhist Monastery, the downfall of Empress Wang, and schemes to take over the throne.

A tale depicting the extraordinary journey of a common scholar who rises to become a prince of the Ming Dynasty despite not being of royal descent. In the era of the Hongzhi Emperor, a scholar named Yang Ling collapses on his wedding day and, upon recovering, feels ashamed of his family's poverty. He decides to sell his land and travel to the capital for the civil examinations. Along the way, he helps clear Ma Ang of a crime he didn't commit, impressing the county magistrate who appoints him to handle legal matters. Yang Ling also gains the affection of Ma Ang's sister, Ma Lianer. His intelligence catches the attention of Crown Prince Zhu Hou Zhao, leading to a close friendship and a position as the Crown Prince's advisor. Together, they navigate palace politics to secure their rise to power.

Upon awakening, Xi Dang Yang discovers that she has been transported into the role of the crown princess. The world she now inhabits is filled with complexities beyond her imagination. To her surprise, she is now the wife of five exceptionally talented and virtuous men, as well as a mother to a daughter. As she navigates the treacherous waters of palace politics and the intricacies of her own harem, she must determine who she can truly rely on and what perils await her on the horizon.

Centered on the rule of Emperor Wu Zhe Tian, Detective Di Ren Jie is tasked with multiple assignments from the Empress. Throughout his adventures, he comes across a variety of enigmas.

The special edition includes scenes and episodes that have never been shown before, enhancing the intrigue of the initial series. (DramaCool)

They are individuals with unique personalities who serendipitously met and developed a deep affection for each other. Princess Jiang Bao Ning of Jia Nan, the daughter of the Crown Prince, grew up in the palace where she lived a carefree life despite the lack of freedom. Refusing to be a mere puppet, she used her cleverness to avoid being manipulated in the palace politics. Meanwhile, Imperial Army guard Li Qian's diligence helped him advance in rank, granting him access to crucial information to unravel past mysteries. Together, they strive to change their fates by breaking through societal barriers and staying together with their loved ones forever.

The latest Gong drama unfolds a fresh romantic tale during the Yongzheng era. Lian Er pleads with her father to allow her entry into the palace to meet the seventeenth prince, Yun Li. The two develop feelings for each other and plan to wed. However, when Yun Li's mentor, Alinga, faces trouble, Yun Li is compelled to marry Alinga's daughter to rescue him. A devastated Lian Er strives to protect herself within the palace, yearning to lead a normal life outside its walls. Unforeseen to her, she becomes entangled in a power struggle orchestrated by influential figures and betrayed by someone she once considered a sister. Alliances are forged, debts are incurred, and just as Lian Er is on the brink of despair, she unintentionally attracts the attention of Yongzheng and is appointed as one of his consorts. Everything suddenly becomes more complex - if she stops now, she will suffer, but she fears losing herself if she persists. She opts to have faith in the light and trust that her determination will guide her through the turmoil.