Nothing activates my tear ducts faster than a nostalgic bolt from the past, and if you savor this feeling, the amazing Chinese high school dramas on this list will have you watching for hours.
Whether you’re in the mood for a school romance Chinese drama with an awesome love story, or you simply want to watch a coming-of-age Chinese drama that will remind you of the old times, I’ve got some great recommendations to give.
From the angst-ridden romances to the heartwarming bonds of friendship, there’s a resonant theme of growth and self-discovery that you’re absolutely going to relish.
Here are 26 of the best high school Chinese dramas to watch ASAP:
1. When We Were Young
When Yang Xi’s pursuit of a bike thief goes awry due to a lab explosion, she discovers the culprit has joined her class and even become the class president.
Hua Biao, a gifted and impulsive science prodigy, faces the challenge of winning over his skeptical peers.
In this nostalgic high-school drama set in 1996, the leads experience the ups and downs of life, their friendships are tested, and unexpected adventures await them.
2. A Love So Beautiful
Xiao Xi is a bubbly girl who isn’t big on studying, but she’s head over heels for the handsome and brainy Jiang Chen.
Joining them are the funny Lu Yang, the loyal Jing Xiao with his athletic skills, and the cool Wu Bo Song from the swimming team.
From high school antics to university adventures and beyond, their lives intertwine in this delightful story adapted from the web novel “A Love So Beautiful” by Zhao Qian Qian.
Tang Yi Bai, a former champion swimmer is on a triumphant comeback after a scandal, and together with best friend Qi Rui Feng, he competes against rival Heng Ou Yang.
Along the way, Yi Bai forms a special bond with Yun Duo, a sports reporter who fears water.
As their bond grows, Yun Duo becomes his biggest cheerleader, urging him to clear his name and make a splash in the pool once again.
5. A River Runs Through It
Transferring to a new school before exams wasn’t part of Xia Xiao Ju’s plan, but with a group of new friends by her side – including the caring Cheng Lang and honest Lu Shi Yi – she’s ready to take on anything.
However, love complicates things when she realizes her crush is drawn to her best friend.
6. The Best Of You In Mind
Lin Xi Chi, a bright and cheerful veterinary student, has a childhood friend, Xu Fang, who secretly likes her. When Lin Xi Chi loses a bet, their friendship takes an unexpected turn.
One night, with a little liquid courage, suppressed emotions come rushing out.
When top student Zuo An offers to tutor Gu Xiao Man, a kickboxing champion with struggling grades, sparks fly.
With distractions and secret crushes, their goal is to graduate and attend the same university, and as they enter university life, their feelings for each other come to light.
8. The Big Boss
Ye Mu Xi’s thrilled to leave behind her annoying childhood friend, Liao Dan Yi, as she starts her first year of high school, but fate has other plans. They end up in the same class, shattering her dreams.
Determined to outshine him, she sets her sights on becoming class president, and soon she’s navigating school life with a diverse group of classmates – all the while still nurturing her cat-and-dog relationship with Liao Dan Yi that might just be more.
This high school Cdrama is effortlessly funny, and if you’re in the mood for a soothing blend of mischief, love, and hilarity, you’re going to want to check this out.
9. First Love Again
In this time travel Cdrama, Physicist Ye You Ning travels back to his school days in 2006 after a thunderstorm, thanks to the mobile phone of his classmate Xia Wen Xi.
Desperate to return to his original timeline, Ye You Ning manipulates events and communicates with Xia Wen Xi.
Through this journey, he relives his life, learns the value of his choices, and realizes the worth of the people he once took for granted.
With the help of straight-A student Fang Yu Ke’s study plan, Zhou Lin Lin overcomes her academic struggles and gets into a top university.
Along the way, she gets caught up in a mess with tennis star Wen Tao and forms a sisterly bond with her dorm mates Zhu Li and Wang Jie.
This school Cdrama really explored the delicate balance between academics and personal relationships, and it highlighted the difficulties of maintaining a love life while excelling in studies.
11. Shining For One Thing
When Lin Be Xing’s fiancé, Zhan Yu, leaves her for her best friend, she decides to revisit their high school memories, but a twist of fate sends her back in time to her 18-year-old self.
Determined to focus on her future, she retakes the college entrance exam and tries to forget Zhan Yu. However, an unexpected encounter with Zhang Wan Sen changes everything.
12. Summer Again
In this high school drama adapted from “Bo He Zhi Xia,” a manhwa by the talented Huo He, Tong Xi, a talented ballet dancer, is whisked back to her hometown when her mom’s job transfers.
Determined to shake off her tough girl image, she switches schools, but her childhood friend, Lin Nan Yi, sees right through her act.
Amidst hilarious mix-ups and surprising teamwork, they form a special bond with a group of small-town students. Little does Tong Xi know; Lin Nan Yi is the hilarious comic idol she’s always idolized.
13. Don’t Disturb My Study
Nan Xiang Wan is a 28-year-old HR director who may seem powerful and confident on the surface, but deep down, she’s battling academic discrimination and anxiety.
Thanks to high-tech psychotherapy, she’s transported back 10 years to her high school days.
Now, she’s determined to conquer her past and re-enter Guanghua University, but it won’t be easy.
Nan Xiang Wan has to face annoying classmates, unforgettable high school memories, and more.
Along the way, she befriends Lin Xiao Ran, a sports enthusiast, and together they navigate challenges, growing stronger through clever battles and bravery.
14. Always Have, Always Will
Fang Li, a small-town girl, and Luo Yan, a stone-faced, straight-A student, reunite in college and dive back into their high school days. That’s to say, endless bickering and sparks flying everywhere.
Fang Li and Luo Yan were once classmates during freshman year, and let’s just say, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But now, three years later, they cross paths again.
Though Luo Yan doesn’t remember Fang Li, the battle between the sunny girl and the proud devil reignites.
Together, they’ll experience the best of youth, rediscovering lost beauty and chasing their dreams in this Cdrama set in a high school.
Wu Jing Hao is a dashing surgeon who gets a shot at rewriting his past by going back to high school.
His mission? To be there for Han Fei, his classmate, and prevent a heartbreaking tragedy.
Along the way, Wu Jing Hao discovers Han Fei’s hidden guilt from a friend’s accident. With unwavering support and encouragement, he helps her find the strength to step out of the shadows.
In this refreshing take on a high school romance Chinese drama, light is shed on several important (but often neglected)social issues, and you’ll love it if you fancy a drama that retains its sweetness while still managing to be deep.
16. Lovely Us
It’s 2007, and five kids from Shu De Faculty and Staff Family Hospital start high school together. They’re not just friends, they’re family.
They’re the awesome crew of No. 1992, and this tight-knit clique is in for an unforgettable journey that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, as they work for their dreams, experience growth, and many heartwarming moments and there’s even a sprinkle of romance.
He Luo, a sports student often criticized for her low grades, decides to prove herself by aiming for Hua Qing, the country’s top university.
With the help of her classmate Zhang Yuan, He Luo studies hard and surprises everyone in their high school. As He Luo’s friends find love, she and Zhang Yuan confront their true feelings.
They plan to attend the same university but end up in different cities and countries, each experiencing their own adventures. What will the future hold for them?
18. Lookism
Wen Shuai, an ‘ugly’ boy, transfers schools after being bullied, only to discover he has two completely different bodies: one ugly and one handsome, and he can switch between them while awake and asleep.
This life-altering secret opens up new experiences for Wen Shuai, but the handsome body holds a huge mystery tied to its original owner, Kris.
This exciting webtoon adaptation of “Lookism” by Park Tae Jun will leave you thinking.
While it’s relatively light, I’ll recommend this if you want a high-school Chinese drama that explores heavy themes while still keeping it simple.
19. One And Another Him
Lin Yuan is a young and vibrant girl who once had her heart broken by a math genius with a low EQ, but there’s more to him than meets the eye.
As she navigates the ups and downs of adulthood, Lin Yuan learns to let go of impossible love and say farewell to old friends. However, her heart still carries the weight of past heartbreak.
That is until she meets Xiao En, another handsome and talented math teacher.
For Lin Yuan, this new-found romance feels more than familiar, and what follows after is a sweet, fresh take on modern relationships.
20. My Deskmate
Xiang Xia, a devoted fan, gets the ultimate stroke of luck when she becomes deskmates with her idol, the cool and handsome Jin Han.
But when Xiang Xia’s fangirl antics start causing chaos, it sparks a hilarious story filled with laughter.
Amidst this pure and beautiful youth, Jin Han begins to see Xiang Xia’s true qualities, and together, they embark on a journey of mutual admiration, becoming idols to each other.
21. Promise In The Summer
Han Qi Lu, a young master with a peculiar “allergy” to touching girls, finds his world turned upside down when he encounters An Chu Xia, a spirited “Cinderella” who unintentionally enters his house.
Against his mother’s request, they embark on a quest to “cure the allergy,” leading to an unexpected and heartwarming romance.
And, as An Chu Xia treats him, she gradually unravels the enigma behind Han Qi Lu’s peculiar condition.
22. 90s Beijing Fantasy
Set in the rad 1990s, this coming-of-age tale follows a group of awesome young men and women from Xisi High School.
It all kicks off with the entrance exams, where these underachievers and misfits forge an epic bond.
From strangers to best buds, they embark on an extraordinary adventure through their youth, creating memories that’ll make you smile.
With a blend of past and present, this story celebrates the power of friendship and the excitement that awaits in the future.
23. Super Star Academy
In this extraordinary realm, the Super Star Academy assigns rankings based on horoscope signs, and Cheng Zhi Er is a resilient soul who’s faced her fair share of challenges.
But her life takes a cosmic twist when she’s recruited to join this prestigious academy.
As Cheng Zhi Er settles into her new surroundings, her own supernatural powers begin to awaken, unveiling a thrilling chapter in her life.
This is one of the best Chinese high school drama that blends fantasy, romance, and academia, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on discovering how Zhi Er embraces her unique destiny with excitement and wonder.
24. Just An Encore
Yan Ze is an everyday student who is secretly smitten with her deskmate, the charming Ji Xiao.
And with her insecurities about her looks and grades, Yan Ze can’t help but feel overshadowed by her stunning best friend, Gu Xi Ye.
When a potential love connection between Ji Xiao and Xi Ye arises, Yan Ze’s emotions reach a boiling point.
Enter He Xin Liang, the transfer student who magically appears whenever she’s feeling low, bringing a ray of sunshine to her life, and what follows after is a journey of friendships, surprising confessions, and unexpected twists that will keep you hooked until the very end.
25. My Huckleberry Friends
Yu Zhou Zhou and Lin Yang have been inseparable since elementary school, but when rumors strain their bond, Zhou Zhou hopes for a fresh start in high school.
Surprisingly, Lin Yang is there too, and their friendship rekindles. Through ups and downs, Lin Yang’s positive spirit becomes Zhou Zhou’s guiding light.
Soon, Zhou Zhou discovers the true meaning of unwavering friendship and realizes that Lin Yang will always be by her side.
Zhang Yang and Zhou Jing Mang are polar opposites. That’s to say, Zhang Yang loves pranks, while Zhou Jing Mang is innocent and trusting.
As they bond and respect each other, these embark classmates on a journey of self-discovery, laughter, and maybe even love.
And, this breezy list has come to an end 🙂
There’s something for everyone on this list, so if you want a Chinese drama with a cute and sweet high school love story or one that delves into different trials teens face, you’re going to find a recommendation somewhere on this list.
If you’re still on the hunt for even more recommendations, check out the related posts below – I just know you’ll find something.
