Top 19 Chinese Time Travel Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Time travel in Chinese webnovels usually means the protagonist goes backward rather than forward. They wake up in a younger body or ancient dynasty with knowledge of what's coming. The appeal is watching someone armed with hindsight navigate situations they originally failed.

Chinese time travel tends toward historical settings more often than Japanese isekai, with imperial courts and ancient cultivation worlds as common destinations. I find the historical variants interesting when authors actually use period-specific knowledge rather than just treating the past as a backdrop for power fantasy.

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TOP PICK
A Will Eternal
4.4
(2.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
One will to create oceans. One will to summon the mulberry fields.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "A Will Eternal." I've spent some time digging through what readers are saying, and I've got a pretty good feel for this one. It seems to be a novel that evokes strong reactions, both positive and negative. The initial chapters seem to be a real hit. Many readers, myself included, found themselves laughing out loud. The main character, Bai Xiaochun, is definitely not your typical righteous hero. He's cunning, a bit shameless, and driven by a very relatable fear of death. This makes for some hilarious situations right from the start, and the author, Er Gen, seems to kno...
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2
RUNNER UP
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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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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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4
EDITORS CHOICE
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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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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#6 PICK
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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#7 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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#8 PICK
Back to the Sixties: Farm, Get Wealthy & Raise the Cubs
4.4
(695 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, mature
Lin Qing He transmigrated into the novel and became one of its cannon fodder. The novel’s background is non-viable-1960s, time of want to eat but nothing to eat and want to wear, nothing to wear.
First Impressions
This novel, with its sprawling 700+ chapters, promised a heartwarming slice-of-life journey, and for the most part, it delivered. "Back to the Sixties: Farm, Get Wealthy & Raise the Cubs" follows our modern-day MC as she transmigrates into a novel, armed with a spatial ability and a mission to rewrite her family's villainous future. I found myself drawn into the Zhou family's world, from their humble beginnings in the countryside to their eventual success in the bustling capital. Initially, I was captivated by the premise of a transmigration story where the MC actually prepares for her new lif...
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#9 PICK
Epiphanies of Rebirth
4.6
(578 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, mature
Some people begin their lives with the odds in their favor but still end up failing miserably. Lin Jingzhe, having suffered many losses and setbacks, returned to his eighteen-year-old self just before failing his college entrance exam.
First Impressions
"Epiphanies of Rebirth" promised a blend of business acumen, slice-of-life charm, and a dash of romance, so I dove in with high hopes. Having completed the story, I can say it's a fun, if occasionally uneven, ride. The initial chapters hooked me with the premise of a reborn protagonist armed with future knowledge. Watching Lin Jingzhe navigate the burgeoning Chinese economy of the 90s was definitely intriguing. I was eager to see how he'd leverage his second chance at life....
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10
#10 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

Rankings here favor stories where temporal knowledge gets used strategically. The best entries create complications beyond what the protagonist predicted, keeping tension alive. If you enjoy competent protagonists exploiting information advantages, this list covers the well-regarded options.

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

A Will Eternal

First Impressions

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

Reborn with an Old Enemy on the Day of our Marriage

First Impressions

Back to the Sixties: Farm, Get Wealthy & Raise the Cubs

First Impressions

Epiphanies of Rebirth

First Impressions