Their names remain largely unknown in English-speaking countries, yet these talented women enjoy tremendous popularity among Chinese audiences. Back home, they are genuine stars recognized for their talent, their roles in film and television, as well as their presence in Chinese media.  

Many have starred in blockbuster films, others focus on television roles. They are beautiful, talented, wealthy and famous, and although some are at the center of heated controversies, they often remain role models for Chinese youth. Following our list of 15 famous film actors in Chine, we present to you today some of the greatest Chinese actresses of the moment.

1/ Zhang Ziyi

A renowned and talented Chinese actress, Zhang Ziyi has made numerous appearances in Chinese cinema. She notably starred in the acclaimed films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, The Banquet, and Memoirs of a Geisha. Despite her impressive filmography, Zhang Ziyi frequently finds herself at the center of controversy.

2/ Fan Bingbing

Dubbed the ambassador of allure in Chine, Fan Bingbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular Chinese actresses today. Captivating, provocative and talented, this young actress is revolutionizing Chinese cinema and appears only in successful films. She notably stars in films such as Cell Phone and Buddha Mountain, for which she won the Best Actress Award.

3/ Gong Li

Discovered by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, Gong Li has built a highly respected acting career. She has appeared in some American films such as Memoirs of a Geisha, Miami Vice and Hannibal, but has never pursued a Hollywood career. A true reference.

4/ Zhang Jingchu

Originally trained as a director but drawn to acting, Zhang Jingchu captivates audiences through the emotions she conveys in her performances. In 2008, she won the Best Actress Award for the film The Road. Since then, Zhang Jingchu is rightfully considered one of the most promising Chinese actresses.

5/ Shu Qi

A former glamour model, Shu Qi quickly established herself as a major actress. Her performances in the film Viva Erotica earned her the Best New Performer Award and the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. A successful career transition for Shu Qi, making her today one of the finest actresses in Asia.

6/ Zhou Xun

An internationally acclaimed actress and singer, Zhou Xun has emerged as one of the most talented Chinese actresses of our time. The general public discovered her through the film Suzhou River, for which she won the Best Actress Award at the Paris Film Festival. Her interpretive talents captivated Chine and led to high demand for feature films.

7/ Ariel Lin

A television star, Ariel Lin currently enjoys immense popularity. In 2008, she won the Best Television Series Actress Award at the 43rd Golden Bell Awards for her role in The Kiss Again.

8/ Zhao Tao

Before pursuing an acting career, Zhao Tao was a dancer. In 2011 and 2012, she won the Best Actress Award at the Asti Film Festival and the David di Donatello Prize for her role in the film Small Venice (Lo sono li). Zhao Tao is famous in Chine for her presence in numerous films by Jia Zhangke, her husband.

9/ Carina Lau

A Hong Kong actress, Carina Lau's career took off later than some of her peers. Though her talent is undeniable, she long played supporting roles before truly breaking through alongside Jackie Chan. Today, Carina Lau has established herself as a genuine star of Chinese cinema.

10/ Zhao Wei

Actress, singer, model... Zhao Wei wears many hats and is now ranked among the fourth most famous Chinese personalities. Her career began with the television series Princess Pearl. She subsequently appeared in multiple hit series, a few films, and has won numerous awards for her talents as an actress and singer. Today, Zhao Wei is undoubtedly an indispensable artist in Chine.

11/ Maggie Cheung

A beautiful and talented Hong Kong actress, Maggie Cheung made her debut alongside Jackie Chan in Police Story. The film's success propelled her into the spotlight and led her to work with major filmmakers. Today, she is counted among the greatest icons of Asian cinema.

12/ Bai Ling

A Chinese actress with American citizenship, Bai Ling has always shown passion for cinema. Television series, theater and numerous films have already marked her career. She is famous in Chine for her role in Arc Light and emerged in the West with the film The Crow.

13/ Charlene Choi

A Hong Kong actress and singer, Charlene Choi is today an indispensable artist in Chine. She broke through in cinema notably with the support of celebrated Chinese actors such as Andy Lau and Jay Chou. She won several awards for the thriller The Diary, including the Best Actress Award at the 11th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

14/ Barbie Hsu

An actress, singer, television host and model, Barbie Hsu or "Dà S" has accumulated numerous roles and become an icon of television in just a few years. She is best known for her role in Meteor Garden, an adaptation of a Japanese manga.

15/ Eva Huang

Also known as Eva Wang, Eva Huang made her mark in Chinese cinema in the film Kung Fu Hustle by Stephen Chow. In Chine, her popularity stems from numerous roles in television series.

This list is obviously not exhaustive and presents only a fraction of the talent that comprises Chinese cinema. While some of these actresses are beginning to break through internationally, it is certainly in Chine that they remain most popular.

Which Chinese actress has impressed you the most?