Top 11 Chinese Time Travel Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

11 Novels

Chinese time travel novels take protagonists back through history or cultivation timelines, usually with modern knowledge or future memories intact. The appeal lies in watching someone navigate familiar events with information no one else has. Historical settings are common, with protagonists using their knowledge of what's coming to avoid disasters, make fortunes, or change political outcomes.

The genre works best when the time travel creates genuine dilemmas rather than just advantages. Maybe the protagonist's interference causes unexpected consequences, or they discover their knowledge of events is incomplete. I find the more thoughtful entries explore questions about fate and whether the past can actually be changed, while simpler ones treat the timeline as a puzzle to optimize.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
Rebirth on the Doors to the Civil Affairs Bureau
4.7
(1.3K ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, josei
“Then why don’t I marry you! ” Yu Dong suddenly proposed.
First Impressions
This novel promised a fluffy and heartwarming story, and for the most part, it delivered. "Rebirth on the Doors to the Civil Affairs Bureau" offers a refreshing take on the rebirth trope, steering clear of the typical revenge plotlines and focusing instead on genuine connection and personal growth. I found myself charmed by the characters and invested in their journey. The premise is definitely unique: a woman reborn on the day of her failed wedding, impulsively deciding to marry a handsome stranger she recognizes as a future success. It's a bold move, and I was immediately curious to see how ...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Mist
4.7
(1.4K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, mature
Hyperthymesia. Those with this condition can remember every detail of their lives from something as significant as the world’s turning point to something as small and as insignificant as a minor fleeting thought.
First Impressions
"Mist" is a web novel that really took me on a ride. Blending action, adventure, sci-fi, and romance with a dash of mystery, it's a story that demands your attention. While it has its quirks, the overall experience was definitely memorable. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of time travel interwoven with complex sci-fi elements. The beginning felt a bit slow as the characters were being introduced, and I wondered if the romance would feel rushed. However, as the story progressed, the initial setup proved essential for understanding the intricate plot and the characters' motivations. I q...
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Cultivation Chat Group
4.5
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
One day, Song Shuhang was suddenly added to a chat group with many seniors that suffered from chuuni disease. The people inside the group would call each other ‘Fellow Daoist’ and had all different kinds of titles: Palace Master, Cave Lord, True Monarch, Immortal Master, etc.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "Cultivation Chat Group." When I first heard the premise – a regular college student accidentally gets added to a chat group full of cultivators – I was immediately intrigued. It sounded like a recipe for comedic gold, and honestly, it largely delivers. The initial chapters do a good job of easing you into the xianxia world, and Song Shuhang, the MC, is pretty relatable as he tries to wrap his head around the whole cultivation thing. The humor is definitely a standout. It's not just slapstick; it's clever, often poking fun at xianxia tropes themselves. The author has a...
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse
4.6
(768 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, drama
Xiao Xiang Zi, a cloud spirit in heaven, and Chu Kong mess up the red strings of fate by accident during their brawl. As a consequence, they are sentenced to be a fated couple in the mortal realm for 7 lifetimes as a punishment for not getting along with each other.
First Impressions
"Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse" promised a rollercoaster of emotions, and I'm happy to report that it delivered. This xianxia romance took me on a journey through love, loss, and reincarnation, leaving me with a satisfied, if slightly bittersweet, feeling. The premise alone hooked me: a fated couple entangled in seven lifetimes, each with its own unique challenges. I was immediately drawn to the idea of exploring how their relationship would evolve across different circumstances and identities. The initial chapters were definitely a grab for my attention...
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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Please Confess to Me
4.6
(845 ratings)
Genre: drama, romance, slice of life
Before getting married, Shen Xi knew that her fiance had a girl he was secretly in love with for years. After the divorce, she found out that the girl was her.
First Impressions
"Please Confess to Me" is a completed web novel that I dove into with high hopes, and while it wasn't a perfect experience, I found it to be a generally sweet and heartwarming read. It's a second-chance romance centered around a couple overcoming misunderstandings and learning to communicate. The premise immediately grabbed me: a female lead (FL) reborn into her past, determined to understand her stoic husband and rewrite their loveless marriage. The initial chapters were intriguing, setting up the central conflict of miscommunication and the male lead's (ML) hidden depths....
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
Reborn with an Old Enemy on the Day of our Marriage
4.5
(703 ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, school life
Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing, two people who have wanted to kill each other for many years, fell in love. After a lot of ups and downs, they finally married.
First Impressions
"Reborn with an Old Enemy on the Day of our Marriage" is a web novel that I found myself surprisingly charmed by. It's a blend of comedy, romance, and school life with a yaoi twist, and it mostly delivers on its promise of a heartwarming and hilarious read. While it has some quirks, the overall experience left me with a smile. The premise is immediately intriguing: two former enemies, now married, get a second chance at high school. Instead of the usual angst-ridden revenge plot, we get a mature couple navigating their past with a fresh perspective. This subversion of typical rebirth tropes gr...
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Completed
7
#7 PICK
Need to Propose to Seven Men What to Do!
4.5
(543 ratings)
Genre: adult, comedy, drama
Chu Mu Yun relied on his story of 《Demon Realm》 to become a one-hit-wonder in JJWXC, but he never expected that he, after writing out seven mental cases and abusing seven mental cases to death, would transmigrate into this shitty novel! What the hell was this system on the bracelet?
First Impressions
"Need to Propose to Seven Men What to Do!" is definitely a wild ride, and I can see why it's garnered such a dedicated fanbase. Jumping into this novel, I was immediately intrigued by the premise and the sheer audacity of the MC's task. It's a blend of genres that shouldn't work, but somehow, it really does. Honestly, the title almost scared me off. It screamed "harem," which isn't usually my cup of tea. But I'm glad I dug a little deeper. The initial chapters introduce a world brimming with potential and a protagonist who's far more than just a helpless damsel in distress. Instead, he's a cun...
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Conclusion

These 11 novels use time travel within Chinese settings, ranging from historical periods to cultivation worlds. The tag overlaps with regression but tends to emphasize travel to genuinely different eras rather than reliving the same life. Readers who enjoy strategic planning based on future knowledge will find plenty to work with here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

Rebirth on the Doors to the Civil Affairs Bureau

First Impressions

Mist

First Impressions

Cultivation Chat Group

First Impressions

Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse

First Impressions

Please Confess to Me

First Impressions