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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Story of Yanxi Palace

Story of Yanxi Palace is a 2018 Chinese historical television drama set in the Qing dynasty during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Story of Yanxi Palace is a 2018 Chinese historical television drama set in the Qing dynasty during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. The series follows Wei Yingluo, a young woman who enters the Forbidden City to investigate her sister’s death and becomes entangled in palace intrigue, romance, and power struggles.

Premise

The drama follows Wei Yingluo as she works her way into the Forbidden City, initially to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Her investigation draws her into conflicts among palace servants, consorts, and officials.

Setting and historical basis

The series is set during the Qing dynasty under the Qianlong Emperor. It uses real historical figures and palace life as the basis for a fictionalized palace drama.

Production and release

Story of Yanxi Palace is a Chinese television series that premiered in 2018. Sources describe it as a Mandarin-language historical drama with romantic and comedic elements.

Reception and cultural impact

The series became widely popular in China and internationally, and it is often noted for its fast-paced palace intrigue and strong central character. It is also discussed as a major example of the modern Chinese palace-drama genre.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Wei Yingluo, who enters the imperial palace to investigate her sister’s death.
  • It is set in 18th-century Beijing during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign.
  • The story combines court politics, revenge, romance, and rivalry within the Forbidden City.
  • The series was originally broadcast in 2018 in China.
  • It features historical figures including the Qianlong Emperor and Empress Fucha Rongyin.
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Canadian context

The series has been available to international audiences through streaming and subtitle platforms, making it part of the broader global circulation of Chinese television dramas watched by Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Story of Yanxi Palace about?
It follows Wei Yingluo, who enters the imperial palace to investigate her sister’s death and becomes involved in court intrigue and romance.
When was Story of Yanxi Palace released?
It premiered in 2018 and first aired in China on July 19, 2018.
What historical period is the series set in?
It is set in the Qing dynasty during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.
How many episodes does it have?
The series has 70 episodes.
What language is the series in?
The original language is Mandarin.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8865016/
    Supports: Series title, release year, country of origin, language, genre, runtime, and premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8865016/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary involving Wei Yingluo entering the Forbidden City to investigate her sister’s death.
  3. Viki — https://www.viki.com/tv/36279c-story-of-yanxi-palace
    Supports: Series description, 2018 release, and plot premise.
  4. MyDramaList — https://mydramalist.com/28565-the-tale-of-yanxi-palace
    Supports: Setting, episode context, and plot synopsis.