The best Chinese books of the last century

Time Out's guide to the top China fiction and non-fiction books you need to read

Time Out Shanghai present the ultimate guide to the best Chinese books from the last century. Discover the top 20 Chinese fiction books and 20 non-fiction China books since 1900, as voted for by 25 of China’s top literary experts including Jo Lusby, Director of Penguin Asia, Newsweek's Duncan Hewitt and translator Shelly Bryant.
Read through all the judges' shortlists to see the full lists of what each expert voted for and why each book means so much to them.

Find out more about the rich history of China’s authors in Shanghai in our guide to the city’s literary landmarks and where to find them including Eileen Chang's Jingan home and Lu Xun's former residence in Hongkou. Also discover Shanghai’s best bookshops to curl up with a good book.

China's best books

China's best fiction books
Books

China's best fiction books

The best novels from China as voted by a panel of 25 literary experts

China's best books: The Quiz
Books

China's best books: The Quiz

How many of China's top fiction and non-fiction works have you read?

China's best non-fiction books
Books

China's best non-fiction books

China's best non-fiction books as voted by a panel of 25 literary experts

More on China's best fiction authors

Eileen Chang's Shanghai legacy
Film

Eileen Chang's Shanghai legacy

China's best non-fiction authors

Lynn Pan
Film

Lynn Pan

Paul French
Film

Paul French

Shanghai's literary landmarks

Eileen Chang's Jingan
Things to do

Eileen Chang's Jingan

JG Ballard's Longhua
Things to do

JG Ballard's Longhua

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