The Greatest Literature of China
This Greatest Literature of China list is based on the same extensive research and surveys carried out over the past two decades for our Greatest Literature of All Time list, augmented by recent research specifically concerning Asian literature.
It encompasses works by writers who have, for the most part, resided and written in China. Expatriates whose works were created or published after they left China are generally not included here but may be featured in listings for other countries or regions.
This list focuses on major creative works—such as novels, plays, epic poetry and story collections—although some shorter or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be included.
One further note: this is an early crack at creating a guide to great Chinese literature. This list is expected to grow as our research into older works continues and new works appear. Check back for updates.
Latest update: February 26, 2024
The 88 greatest works of Chinese literature
In chronological order
c.1000–0600 BCE
Classic of Poetry
Various authors,,
China,
poetry collection
c.500 BCE
The Art of War
Sun Tzu,
China,
nonfiction
c.400 BCE
Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu,
China,
nonfiction
c.300 BCE
The Mencius
Mencius,
China,
nonfiction
Zhuangzi
Zhuang Zhou,
China,
story collection
c.200 BCE
The Analects
Confucius,
China,
nonfiction
c.290
Records of Diverse Matters
Zhang Hua,
China,
story collection
c.750
Selected Poems
Li Bai,
China,
poetry collection
c.800
The Collected Songs of Cold Mountaine
Hanshan,
China,
poetry collection
c.900
The Butterfly Lovers
Anonymous,
China,
story
c.1300
The Chalk Circle
Li Qianfu,
China,
play
Romance of the Western Chamber
Wang Shifu,
China,
play
c.1360–1400
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Luo Guanzhong ,
China,
novel
c.1360–1589
Water Margin
Shi Nai'an, Luo Guanzhong,
China,
novel
c.1590
The Golden Lotus
Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng,
China,
novel
1592
Journey to the West
Wu Cheng'en,
China,
novel
1598
The Peony Pavilion
Tang Xianzu ,
China,
play
1605
Investiture of the Gods
Xu Zhonglin,
China,
novel
1620
Stories to Enlighten the World
Feng Menglong,
China,
story collection
c.1640
A Supplement to the Journey to the West
Dong Yue,
China,
novel
c.1680
The Palace of Eternal Life
Hong Sheng,
China,
play
1699
The Peach Blossom Fan
Kong Shangren,
China,
play
1750
The Scholars
Wu Jingzi,
China,
novel
c.1750
Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee
Anonymous,
China,
story collection
c.1763
Three Hundred Tang Poems
ed. Sun Zhu,
China,
poetry collection
1766
Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
Pu Songling,
China,
story collection
1791–1792
Dream of the Red Chamber
Cao Xueqin,
China,
novel
1809
Six Records of a Floating Life
Shen Fu,
China,
memoir
1827
Flowers in a Mirror
Li Ruzhen,
China,
novel
1878
An Heroic Legend of the Sons and Daughters
Wen Kang,
China,
novel
1879
The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants
Shi Yukun
China,
novel
1890
The Five Younger Gallants
Shi Yukun
China,
novel
1903–1905
Officialdom Unmasked
Li Baojia,
China,
novel
1905–1928
A Flower in a Sinful Sea
Jin Tianhe, Zeng Pu,
China,
novel
1907
The Travels of Lao Can
Liu E,
China,
novel
1909
Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed Over Two Decades
Wu Jianren,
China,
novel
1933
Family
Pa Chin,
China,
novel
1937
Rickshaw Boy
Lao She,
China,
novel
1943
Love in a Fallen City
Eileen Chang,
China,
novella
1947
Fortress Besieged
Qian Zhongshu,
China,
novel
1947
Cold Nights
Pa Chin,
China,
novel
1950
Half a Lifelong Romance
Eileen Chang,
China,
novel
1952
A Many-Splendoured Thing
Han Suyin,
China,
novel
1957
Teahouse
Lao She,
China,
novel
1961
Red Crag
Luo Guangbin, Yang Yiyan,
China,
novel
1963–1966
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
Jin Yong,
China,
novel
1967
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
Jin Yong,
China,
novel
1972
The Deer and the Cauldron
Jin Yong,
China,
novel
1978
The Orient
Wei Wei,
China,
novel
1979
Lust, Caution
Eileen Chang,
China,
novella
My City: A Hong Kong Story
Xi Xi,
China,
novel
1981
Leaden Wings
Zhang Jie,
China,
novel
1985
White deer Plain
Chen Zhongshi,
China,
novel
1985
Half of Man is Woman
Zhang Xianliang,
China,
novel
1986–1987
Red Sorghum
Mo Yan,
China,
novel
1986–1988
Ordinary World
Lu Yao,
China,
novel
1987
The Ancient Ship
Zhang Wei,
China,
novel
Life and Death in Shanghai
Zheng Nian,
China,
memoir
1990
Soul Mountain
Gao Xingjian,
China,
novel
1990–1993
Raise the Red Lantern
Su Tong,
China,
novella series
Includes Raise the Red Lantern, Nineteen Thirty-Four Escapes, Opium Family
1991
Wild Swans
Jung Chang,
China,
nonfiction novel
1993
To Live
Yu Hua,
China,
novel
1995
Chronicle of a Blood Merchant
Yu Hua,
China,
novel
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow
Wang Anyin,
China,
novel
1997
The Rape of Nanking
Iris Chang,
China,
nonfiction
Red Scarf Girl
Ji-li Jiang,
China,
memoir
Falling Leaves
Adeline Yen Mah,
China,
memoir
1999
Chinese Cinderella
Adeline Yen Mah,
China,
memoir
2004
Wolf Totem
Jiang Rong,
China,
novel
2004–2011
The Jiangnan Trilogy
Ge Fei,
China,
novel series
incl. Peach Blossom Paradise, My Dream of the Mountain and River, Spring Ends in Jiangnan
2005
The Shaanxi Opera
Jia Pingwa,
China,
novel
2005–2006
Brothers
Yu Hua,
China,
novel
2006
Dream of Ding Village
Yan Lianke,
China,
novel
Life and Death are Wearing Me Out
Mo Yan,
China,
novel
2008
Massage
Bi Feiyu,
China,
novel
The Dark Forest
Liu Cixin,
China,
novel
The Three-Body Problem
Liu Cixin,
China,
novel
2009
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Grace Lin,
China,
novel
The Vagrants
Li Yiyun,
China,
novel
One Sentence Is Ten Thousand Sentences
Liu Zhenyun,
China,
novel
Frog
Mo Yan,
China,
novel
2010
Death's End
Liu Cixin,
China,
novel
China in Ten Words
Yu Hua,
China,
essay collection
2015–2016
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu,
China,
novel
