7 Chinese Series on iQIYI 2026 You Shouldn’t Miss

2026 is another exciting year for fans of Chinese series, especially on iQIYI, with everything from youth romance and workplace love stories to large-scale historical dramas. If you have been scrolling through the app but still cannot decide what to watch among Chinese dramas, we have picked 7 titles worth adding to your list. Whether you are looking for recommended iQIYI series or simply want something different from your usual picks, this list covers romance, drama, action, mystery, and palace politics. Choose your favorite genre and start watching.

1. Genius Girlfriend

• Genre: Romance / Youth / Coming of Age
• Episodes: 28
• Starring: Tian Xiwei, Hu Yitian
• Watch on: iQIYI

Genius Girlfriend follows Lin Zhixia, a brilliant student who excels academically but struggles with social situations. After entering a prestigious high school, she meets Jiang Yubai, another talented student whose personality is almost completely different from hers. What begins as academic rivalry gradually turns into friendship as the two become desk mates and help each other grow. The story is not only about romance, but also friendship, academic pressure, and self-discovery. If you enjoy fun Chinese dramas on iQIYI with a bright atmosphere and a slow-building relationship, this is an easy series to start without having to prepare for heavy drama.

📺 Watch Genius Girlfriend: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-28fzrln6il1

2. South Archives

• Genre: Adventure / Drama / Mystery / Investigation
• Episodes: 33
• Starring: Zhang Xincheng, Ding Yuxi, Jiang Peiyao, Fu Dalong
• Watch on: iQIYI with Thai subtitles / Thai dubbing

South Archives takes viewers back to the early Republican era, when a mysterious murder occurs in the South China Sea. Zhang Haiyan and Zhang Haixia, officers from the Southern Archives, are assigned to investigate the case, only to discover that it is far more complicated than expected and connected to a conspiracy targeting members of the Zhang family. During the investigation, the pair face dangerous situations, difficult puzzles, and people they cannot easily trust. As the story unfolds, hidden truths about the past and the fate of each character gradually come to light. If you want to watch Chinese dramas that move away from romance and into adventure and mystery, this series stands out for the chemistry between Zhang Xincheng and Ding Yuxi, as well as its continuous stream of mysteries to solve.

📺 Watch South Archives: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-18gfltni5fh

3. Love Has Fireworks

• Genre: Romance / Urban Life / Workplace
• Episodes: 36
• Starring: Tan Jianci, Wang Churan
• Watch on: iQIYI

If you want a break from high-school romance, Love Has Fireworks shifts the focus to the love lives of working adults. The story follows Li Yifei, a young finance professional, and Qian Fei, a working woman dealing with problems in both her career and love life. When the two end up sharing the same living space, their different personalities and lifestyles become both a source of conflict and the beginning of a closer relationship. Money, career pressure, and the realities of city life also play an important role in the story. For anyone searching for a recommended iQIYI series featuring more mature characters and relatable real-life struggles beyond romance, Love Has Fireworks is worth checking out.

📺 Watch Love Has Fireworks: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-23nr0phyq4x

4. OVERDO

• Genre: Romance / Drama / Republican Era
• Episodes: 33
• Starring: Zhang Linghe, Wang Churan
• Watch on: iQIYI

For viewers who prefer heavier drama, OVERDO is another title to keep an eye on. Set in Shanghai during the Republican era, the series follows Murong Qingyi and Ren Susu, two people who once shared a close bond but were separated because of events from their past. Years later, Ren Susu returns under circumstances that make their relationship even more complicated. The love they once shared becomes mixed with anger, misunderstanding, and unanswered questions. This series is a good choice for anyone who wants to watch Chinese dramas focused on emotional conflict and complicated relationships. Rather than simply falling back in love, the characters must slowly uncover the truth about what happened between them.

📺 Watch OVERDO: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-ekj37hbjxt

5. Pursuit of Jade

• Genre: Historical / Romance / Action
• Episodes: 40
• Starring: Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei
• Watch on: iQIYI

Pursuit of Jade follows Fan Changyu, a young woman trying to stand on her own after losing her family, and Xie Zheng, a former marquis living under a new identity while investigating secrets from his past. Their relationship does not begin with love at first sight. Instead, both have their own goals and interests, eventually leading them into a marriage of convenience. Over time, mutual trust gradually develops into something deeper. If you are looking for fun Chinese dramas on iQIYI that combine romance with action and feature a strong female lead, Pursuit of Jade is a solid choice. It is also ideal for viewers who enjoy historical Chinese dramas on iQIYI where romance is only one part of a much bigger story.

📺 Watch Pursuit of Jade: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-19vub7xxrwd

6. Key to the Phoenix Heart

• Genre: Historical / Romance / Palace Politics
• Episodes: 28
• Starring: Hou Minghao, Aimee
• Watch on: iQIYI

Key to the Phoenix Heart begins with a marriage arrangement. The male lead is a decisive military general, while the female lead initially appears to care mostly about money. Behind that image, however, she hides both unusual talents and important secrets. As the pair become involved in palace conspiracies, their relationship gradually changes from mutual distrust to something deeper. The story combines romance, mystery, and political power struggles. For viewers who want to watch Chinese dramas set in ancient times without committing to an extremely long series, this one has a manageable episode count. The developing relationship between the leads also helps balance the heavier palace-politics storyline.

📺 Watch Key to the Phoenix Heart: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-25lwyc1zim1

7. The Legend of Rosy Clouds

• Genre: Historical / Romance / Drama / Comedy
• Episodes: 36
• Starring: Li Yitong, Zeng Shunxi, Deng Wei
• Watch on: iQIYI

Closing the list is The Legend of Rosy Clouds, another historical Chinese drama on iQIYI that blends romance, drama, and comedy. The story follows Fan Yun, a young woman from a once-prominent family whose circumstances have declined. Determined to build a new future for herself, she meets Qi Zheng, a city lord who appears approachable on the surface but is actually highly strategic and always has a plan of his own. The two begin by distrusting each other, but circumstances force them to work together to solve problems affecting the city. Their relationship gradually develops along the way. If you enjoy historical dramas that are not relentlessly serious and include lighter moments between the heavier storylines, this is a good series to binge.

📺 Watch The Legend of Rosy Clouds: https://www.iq.com/album/2026-11xjieaye91

Watching Chinese Series on iQIYI Abroad: What Should You Know?

When traveling overseas, you may find that some Chinese series on iQIYI are not available in the same way as they are in Thailand because streaming rights vary by country.

Using a VPN such as BullVPN, which offers more than 300 server locations across 49 countries worldwide, lets you choose from supported server locations while also encrypting your connection and improving online privacy. This can be useful for anyone who still wants to watch Chinese dramas while traveling.

However, using a VPN does not guarantee access to every title. Always check iQIYI's availability, licensing restrictions, and terms of service in the country you are visiting.

All 7 series on this list offer something different, from youth romance and emotional drama to historical stories filled with action and political intrigue. If you are looking for fun Chinese dramas on iQIYI to watch in 2026, start with the genre or actors you already enjoy. Each title has its own strengths and suits a different viewing mood, so save this list and work your way through the ones that match your style.