1. Fang Bingbing
China’s enigmatic star, Fang Bingbing, is one the most iconic actress of all time. Born on 16 September 1981, this 40-year-old star is a frequent sight in major award shows and is considered the country’s finest fashion icon. She had a cameo appearance as Blink in X-Men: Days of Future Past. With her stunning visuals and incredible acting, Fang had taken the industry with a storm becoming one of the richest Chinese actresses.
2. Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi is undoubtedly a prime star of her generation. Appraised as one of the Four Dan Actresses of China, Zhang has achieved so much more. Receiving international fame for her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Zhang paved her way to Hollywood with ‘Rush Hour 2’ and ‘Hero.’ Her most notable work in West is ‘Memoirs of Geisha’ released in 2005, which swept significant awards and was nominated for the Oscars.
3. Gong Li
It would be wrong not to include China’s charismatic veteran actor Gong Li in our list. Her debut film Red Sorghum (1987), was a massive hit sweeping many awards and giving her international fame and recognition. She made her Hollywood debut in 2005 in the critically acclaimed movie ‘Memoirs of Geisha.’ Over the years, Gong Li has played many versatile roles to become one of China’s top stars.
4. Yang Mi
Yang Mi is China’s well-known actress and influencer. She set foot in the film industry at a young age. In 2011, she received mainstream success from her role in the historical time-traveling drama Palace (2011). Yang Mi has become an influential icon endorsing many luxury brands. Some of her notable works are Palace (2011), Beijing Love Story (2012), The Interpreter (2016), and Eternal Love (2017).
5. Zhao Liying
One of China’s most famous actresses, Zhao Liying, also known as Zanilia Zhao, was born on 16 October 1987. From a humble start, Zhao’s career hiked up after starring in 2013, the historical drama ‘Legend of Lu Zen,’ which brought her fame, especially in Japan and South Korea. Her angelic face and versatile acting made her the undisputed queen of TV ratings of her generation.
6. Zhou Xun
Zhou Xun is China’s multi-award-winning star with a career spanning over a decade. This ageless beauty was born on 18 October 1974 and is one of the first Four Dan Actresses of China. In 2000, she received her breakthrough in ‘Suzhou River’ opposite Lou Ye. With her formidable talent, she made her English debut in 2012 with ‘Cloud Atlas.’ Her notable works are Balzac and the ‘Little Chinese Seamstress’ ‘Suzhou River’ and ‘Painted Skin.’
7. Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei is a Chinese actress, filmmaker, and singer. She is one of the Big Four Dan Actresses of China and rose to fame in the late 1990s with the drama ‘My Fair Princess,’ a soaring success across Asia. Some of her notable works are ‘Shaolin Soccer’ ‘Painted Skin’ and ‘Red Cliff.’
8. Dilraba Dilmurat
Dilraba Dilmurat is one of the leading actresses of China. The young and vibrant actress is one of the country’s highest-paid actresses. Known for her exotic beauty, she is a descendant of Uyghur, an ethnic minority. Reba’s popularity skyrocketed when she starred in the 2017 romantic-comedy drama Pretty Li Huizhen, a remake of the South Korean drama ‘She Was Pretty.’ She is now a favorite of many luxury brands and is currently the spokesperson of many brands, from skincare to food and beverages. She has established a steady career with back-to-back smashing hits.
9. Joan Chen
Joan Chen is a Chinese-American actress and filmmaker born on 26 April 1961. Her diligence and star persona lead her to become a top star of her era. She caught the attention of the western audience in her 1987 film ‘The Last Emperor.’ She made her debut in Hollywood with Tai-Pan. Chen’s notable works are ‘The Last Emperor’ ‘Red Rose White Rose.’
10. Liu Yifei
Liu Yifei is a mainland Chinese actress and singer, born on 25 August 1987. Liu attained international stardom through her role in the 2017 Disney live-action film, Mulan. She made her small screen debut in 2003 with the periodic drama ‘The Story of a Noble Family.’ Her popularity solidified with movies such as ‘Once Upon a Time,’ ‘The Third Way of Love, and ‘Mulan.’ Liu is considered a fashion icon in China and has been the face of many luxury brands like Chanel and Dior.
