26 most famous Chinese people: from ancient China to today

If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone!

Even after living and working in China, I’m constantly learning about the country’s most remarkable people.

In this article, I’ll cover off key historical and political figures, athletes, businesspeople, and even celebrities. They represent the most famous people in China, from past to present.

TLDR? Mao Zedong is arguably the most famous Chinese person in history, while Xi Jinping is the most famous Chinese person alive today.

If you’re a Facebook user, feel free to join my China Travel Planning Group and ask any questions you want about China. It’s a highly engaged group.

Summary of famous Chinese people

Before I jump into the detail, here’s an overview of who’s who in China. Click on the person to jump down to their profile.

Person	Famous for	Born / Lived
Xi Jinping	Leading China	June 15, 1953
Yao Ming	NBA basketball	September 12, 1980
Mao Zedong	Founding modern China	1893–1976
Jackie Chan	Action films	April 7, 1954
Fan Bingbing	International films	September 16, 1981
Confucius	Founding Confucianism	551–479 BC
Zhang Ziyi	Accaimed acting	February 9, 1979
Bruce Lee	Martial arts films	1940–1973
Jack Ma	Founding Alibaba	September 10, 1964
Dalai Lama	Tibetan Buddhism	July 6, 1935
Gong Li	Acclaimed acting	December 31, 1965
Zhang Yiming	Founding TikTok	April 1, 1983
Jet Li	Hollywood blockbusters	April 26, 1963
Qin Shi Huang	China’s first emperor	259–210 BC
Jay Chou	Pop music	January 18, 1979
Deng Xiaoping	Opening up China	1904–1997
Dilraba Dilmurat	Chinese television	June 3, 1992
Sun Yat-sen	Overthrowing a dynasty	1866–1925
Empress Dowager Cixi	Ruling China	1835–1908
Zhang Yimou	Directing films	November 14, 1951
Sun Tzu	Writing The Art of War	c. 544–496 BC
Zhong Shanshan	Business	December 1954
Lin Dan	Badminton champion	October 14, 1983
Angelababy	Acting and modeling	February 28, 1989
Li Jiaqi	Livestreaming	June 7, 1992
Karry Wang	Leading a boy band	September 21, 1999

 

1. Xi Jinping

• Chinese name: 习近平 (Xí Jìnpíng)
• Famous for: Leading China and becoming one of the world’s most powerful political leaders
• Born: June 15, 1953

I have to start with this man, the president of China.

Xi Jinping is not only the most well-known person in China right now, but he’s one of the most influential people in the world.

Although Xi has been involved in politics most of his life, as a teenager he worked as a manual laborer on an agricultural commune.

Love him or loathe him, Xi Jinping will be around for a while.

In 2018, the National People’s Congress passed an amendment to the constitution which would abolish term limits for presidents.

This means Xi Jinping can remain in office well into the future.

 

2. Yao Ming

• Chinese name: 姚明 (Yáo Míng)
• Famous for: NBA basketball and popularizing the sport in China
• Born: September 12, 1980

Everyone in China knows Yao Ming. He’s the most recognizable athlete in the country.

Yao Ming starred for the Houston Rockets in the NBA from 2002 to 2011. He really put NBA on the map in China, making it one of the country’s most popular sports.

A few Chinese have played in the NBA since then, but none have come close to making such a big impact as Yao Ming.

At 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m), Yao is an exceptionally tall individual.

He’s also smart, having completed an economics degree in China after he retired from basketball.

He now owns a winery in the United States selling high-end wine with his name on it.

You can follow Yao Ming on Instagram.

3. Mao Zedong

• Chinese name: 毛泽东 (Máo Zédōng)
• Famous for: Leading the Chinese Communist revolution and founding the People’s Republic of China
• Lived: 1893–1976

I’d say Mao Zedong is the most famous Chinese person, even though he passed away in 1976.

Born in Hunan, a province in southern China, he led his country’s communist revolution.

The sweeping reforms he’s best known for are the Great Leap Forward (1958–60) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–76).

These often had disastrous consequences for China’s people and economy. Sadly, millions of people starved to death during this time.

However, Mao is seen as the most revered leader of China, at least in recent times.

If you travel to Beijing, you can take a photo of his portrait at the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Tiananmen Square.

You can even get up close and personal with his preserved body at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Learn more about what makes Beijing famous or read one of my favorite books, Wild Swans, for a personal account of life under Mao.

4. Jackie Chan

• Chinese name: 成龙 (Chéng Lóng)
• Famous for: Martial arts and action films
• Born: April 7, 1954

Jackie Chan has been acting and performing since the 1960s. He’s one of the most famous action film stars of all time.

Chan has featured in countless Chinese movies. But you’re probably more familiar with his Hollywood franchises Rush Hour and Kung Fu Panda.

Jackie Chan is one of the highest paid actors in the world. And, he’s multi-talented having released Chinese music.

He even sang at the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony.

5. Fan Bingbing

• Chinese name: 范冰冰 (Fàn Bīngbīng)
• Famous for: Acting in Chinese and international films
• Born: September 16, 1981

Fan who-who?

This stunning lady is a famous Chinese film star, model, television producer and singer.

Fan Bingbing has starred in many Chinese language movies as well as foreign-language films.

While she’s certainly not a household name in the US, you may know her from Hollywood blockbusters such as Iron Man 3 and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

In July 2018, Fan was presumed missing following a tax evasion incident. But she surfaced online a few months later, apologizing to the public.

The Chinese authorities ordered her and her companies to pay about US$129 million in taxes and penalties to avoid criminal prosecution. Ouch!

Fan is still one of China’s most influential celebrities and the highest-paid female star.

You can read more about Fan’s disappearing act in Vanity Fair.

6. Confucius

• Chinese name: 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ)
• Famous for: Founding Confucianism
• Lived: 551–479 BC

Good old Confucius. He’s one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and the founder of Confucianism.

During the sixth century BC, Confucius lived during a period of political instability and social change. He believed that society could be improved by returning to values such as compassion, respect, education and tradition.

His teachings went on to shape Chinese society for more than 2,000 years. They remain an important part of Chinese culture and traditions today.

One of the ideas most associated with Confucius is treating others with the same consideration you would want for yourself — while also exercising self-discipline.

He has lots of famous quotes, although many of the quotes attributed to him online probably aren’t his. My personal favorite is the idea behind the Confucian Golden Rule: “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”

It’s advice that still rings true more than 2,000 years later.

7. Zhang Ziyi

• Chinese name: 章子怡 (Zhāng Zǐyí)
• Famous for: Starring in internationally acclaimed films
• Born: February 9, 1979

Have you watched the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?

If so, you’ve seen the famous Chinese actress, Zhang Ziyi. The movie was nominated for a whopping 10 Academy Awards.

She also starred alongside Jackie Chan in Rush Hour 2 but her most critically acclaimed movie is Memoirs of a Geisha. This earned her a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

In 2021, Zhang Ziyi appeared in her first Chinese TV drama, Monarch Industry. But the series was received so poorly that the cost to watch it was reduced to just a few cents per episode.

While her celebrity status has recently waned, she’s still regarded as one of China’s finest actresses.

You can learn more about the best movies about China here, ranked by yours truly!

8. Bruce Lee

• Chinese name: 李小龙 (Lǐ Xiǎolóng)
• Famous for: Revolutionizing martial arts cinema
• Lived: 1940–1973

Bruce Lee is a cultural icon.

He grew up in Hong Kong and learned martial arts from a young age.

In the 1970s, he elevated martial arts to a new level of popularity and acclaim, sparking a surge of interest in China and the Chinese martial arts in the West.

He passed away at the young age of 32 from cerebral edema, which is fluid build-up around the brain.

Enter the Dragon was released posthumously, grossing over $200 million at the box office. His legacy continues to this day.

9. Jack Ma

• Chinese name: 马云 (Mǎ Yún)
• Famous for: Founding Alibaba
• Born: September 10, 1964

Jack Ma is one of the most famous Chinese people on the planet.

He’s the founder of Alibaba, the biggest tech company in China.

If you’ve ever been to China, you would have seen people using their phones to pay for stuff with Alipay. This is part of the Alibaba group.

(If you haven’t been to China before, here are my tips for first-timers).

Jack Ma is well-known across China. In fact, practically everyone knows who he is.

But like Fan Bingbing mentioned above, Jack recently disappeared from the public eye. Following a speech in late 2020 where he criticized China’s regulators and banks, he wasn’t seen until January 2021.

Ma is one of the world’s richest people with a net worth of over $40 billion.

Learn more about some of the amazing apps they use in China such as Alipay.

10. Dalai Lama

• Chinese name: 丹增嘉措 (Dānzēng Jiācuò)
• Famous for: Leading Tibetan Buddhism and promoting peace
• Born: July 6, 1935

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet.

He’s known around the world for his messages and teachings about passion, peace and harmony.

Fearing for his life in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, from where he led a government in exile.

If you’re a Brad Pitt fan, you may have seen Seven Years in Tibet. The film gives you a glimpse of the Dalai Lama’s early life as well as what led him to escape from China.

You can also tap into the teachings of the Dalai Lama in his bestselling book, The Art of Happiness.

11. Gong Li

• Chinese name: 巩俐 (Gǒng Lì)
• Famous for: Starring in award-winning Chinese films
• Born: December 31, 1965

Gong Li is a brilliant Chinese actress.

She’s in some classics including Red Sorghum, Ju Dou and one of my all-time favorites, Raise the Red Lantern.

In 2020, Gong Li starred in the Disney remake of Mulan.

The international actress recently tried something different with biographical sports film, Leap. She said it was the hardest role she’s ever played.

It was China’s entry for best international feature film in the 2021 Oscars (it didn’t win).

The Chinese actress changed her nationality to Singaporean in 2008 after she got married to a local, though the pair later divorced.

In 2020, photos of Gong Li’s curvier figure went viral on Weibo (China’s version of Twitter), receiving over 850 million clicks. This sparked a backlash against body shaming.

12. Zhang Yiming

• Chinese name: 张一鸣 (Zhāng Yīmíng)
• Famous for: Creating TikTok and being the richest person in China
• Born: April 1, 1983

Zhang Yiming is the richest person in China.

He is the co-founder of ByteDance, which runs the insanely popular app, TikTok. The app is known as Douyin in China.

As TikTok has exploded around the world, so has Zhang’s personal wealth.

If you’re a bit of a nerd like me, you can track the wealthiest people in China on the Hurun China Rich List. The rankings can bounce around a little bit.

13. Jet Li

• Chinese name: 李连杰 (Lǐ Liánjié)
• Famous for: Martial arts films and Hollywood blockbusters
• Born: April 26, 1963

Here’s another famous Li in my list of famous Chinese people.

Li Lianjie, better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Singaporean actor, producer and martial artist, who was born in Beijing.

In the 1980s and 1990s, he starred in critically acclaimed Chinese martial arts movies such as Hero and the Once Upon a Time in China series.

Then he became big in Hollywood.

His famous fight scenes in early 2000s movies, including Lethal Weapon 4 and Romeo Must Die, made him a household name.

Jet Li’s legendary status even qualified him to join other action stars in The Expendables. He also starred in Mulan alongside Gong Li.

Li is a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.

14. Qin Shi Huang

• Chinese name: 秦始皇 (Qín Shǐ Huáng)
• Famous for: Becoming China’s first emperor
• Lived: 259–210 BC

OK, we’re back to the dead guys again!

Qin Shi Huang reigned from 221 BC to 210 BC. He was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China.

However, Emperor Qin was known as a cruel leader. He outlawed most forms of religion and even ordered the burning of books.

But he’s not really famous for that.

People know Qin Shi Huang for his elaborate tomb in Xi’an, western China, built to protect him in the afterlife – known as the Terracotta Army.

It is said that about 700,000 people helped construct his tomb of 8,000 soldiers, horses and chariots made of terracotta.

The famous archaeological site was only discovered in 1974. And, in 2020, another 200 sculptures were miraculously found nearby.

If you’re lucky enough to travel to China, make sure you check out the Terracotta Army. I personally think Xi’an is one of the best places to visit in China.

(Conversely, I’ve also written about the most overrated places in China – check it out!)

15. Jay Chou

• Chinese name: 周杰伦 (Zhōu Jiélún)
• Famous for: Mandopop
• Born: January 18, 1979

The multi-talented Jay Chou is Taiwan’s biggest superstar.

He’s a singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, actor, film director, businessman, and even magician.

Jay Chou is best known for his music though, and you’ll find all his songs on the Chinese music apps. So far, he’s sold more than 30 million records!

This is why many people call him the King of Mandopop.

In 2020, Jay Chou released his own Netflix travel show, J-Style Trip, as well as a new Latin-flavored pop hit.

Jay is a man who loves nice cars. He has a collection of 20 vehicles including a McLaren Senna, one of only 500 made, which cost a staggering US$2 million.

16. Deng Xiaoping

• Chinese name: 邓小平 (Dèng Xiǎopíng)
• Famous for: Transforming China’s economy through reform
• Lived: 1904–1997

If you were born before 1980, you may have heard of this guy.

Deng Xiaoping is an ex-president of China who helped open up the country in the 1980s. This was a mammoth task, having taken over the reins from Chairman Mao Zedong.

Involved in politics – and political struggles – for most of his life, Deng is best known for the market reforms that allowed to China to transition from a purely communist economy to a market economy with ‘Chinese characteristics’.

If you’re into modern history, then check out this modern Chinese history timeline.

17. Dilraba Dilmurat

• Chinese name: 迪丽热巴 (Dílìrèbā)
• Famous for: Chinese television and international celebrity
• Born: June 3, 1992

Dilraba is one of the most popular actresses from mainland China. And she’s unique because of her Uyghur ethnicity.

Born in Xinjiang province, Dilraba began her career as a model before transitioning to the small screen. People really started to take notice of her in the popular drama Diamond Lover in 2015.

Dilraba has won numerous awards for her acting, including the Best Actress award at the China TV Drama Awards in 2018.

She also has a large following on social media, with millions of followers on platforms like Weibo and Instagram.

18. Sun Yat-sen

• Chinese name: 孙中山 (Sūn Zhōngshān)
• Famous for: Helping overthrow China’s last imperial dynasty
• Lived: 1866–1925

Here’s another key figure in Chinese politics who’s well known in China but also around the world.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese revolutionary who played a key role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty.

Born in 1866 in China’s southern Guangdong province, Sun received his education in Hawaii and Hong Kong before becoming involved in revolutionary activities in his motherland.

Sun’s Three Principles of the People, which emphasized nationalism, democracy, and people’s livelihood, became the foundation of the Republic of China (now known as the People’s Republic of China).

Sun served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China from 1912 to 1913.

In Nanjing, I highly recommend a visit to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. There are lots of steps to climb up, but the view is worth it.

19. Empress Dowager Cixi

• Chinese name: 慈禧 (Cíxǐ)
• Famous for: Ruling China during the late Qing Dynasty
• Lived: 1835–1908

Empress Dowager Cixi is the longest ruling woman in China’s history.

She was one of Emperor Xianfeng’s low-ranking concubines. But in 1856, she bore his only son.

This catapulted her into power over the last five decades of the Qing Dynasty.

Empress Dowager Cixi is most famous for the Sino-Japanese War and the Boxer Rebellion.

Historians are conflicted about Cixi’s reputation. Some have blamed her for the end of Imperial China, while others claim she brought China into a modern age.

Like many other famous world leaders, most of her accomplishments weren’t recognized until after her death.

Learn more about Chinese history with these books.

20. Zhang Yimou

• Chinese name: 张艺谋 (Zhāng Yìmóu)
• Famous for: Directing acclaimed Chinese films
• Born: November 14, 1951

Zhang is China’s greatest ever filmmaker.

He’s directed some of the best movies to come out of China including Raise the Red Lantern, To Live and House of Flying Daggers.

Having said that, his fantasy action film The Great Wall, featuring Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe, is absolutely terrible in my opinion!

With a 50/50 split between English and Mandarin dialogue, it’s blatantly obvious that the movie was made to cash in on both Chinese and American audiences.

Zhang Yimou recently directed Cliff Walkers, a spy thriller set during the Japanese occupation of Manchuria, stoking feelings of Chinese nationalism.

The 71-year-old controversially said that he won’t work with actresses who have had plastic surgery.

If you ever visit the southern Chinese city of Yangshuo like I have, you’ll probably end up seeing Impression Sanjie Liu. It’s an outdoor theatrical and light show directed by Zhang.

21. Sun Tzu

• Chinese name: 孙武 (Sūn Wǔ), also known as 孙子 (Sūnzǐ)
• Famous for: Writing The Art of War
• Lived: c. 544–496 BC

Sun Tzu was a general, military strategist, and philosopher in ancient times.

He’s best known for his book, The Art of War, which is still widely read and studied today, which is why you may have heard of him.

Essentially, the book is about military tactics that emphasize the importance of understanding your enemy, adapting to changing circumstances, and using deception and surprise to gain an advantage.

But Sun Tzu’s teachings aren’t limited to the battlefield, and have been applied to a wide range of fields, including business, politics, and sport.

22. Zhong Shanshan

• Chinese name: 钟睒睒 (Zhōng Shǎnshǎn)
• Famous for: Building a vast business empire
• Born: December 1954

Zhong Shanshan is China’s second wealthiest citizen.

You would be forgiven thinking Zhang is a tech guru or mining magnate. But no, he’s actually become rich for selling bottled water!

(Want more fun facts about China? Visit this page.)

An elementary school drop-out turned business tycoon, Zhong Shanshan is the chairman and founder of Nongfu Spring.

It’s the go-to bottled water brand in China, a country where tap water is unsafe to drink.

Zhong also has a controlling interest in a bio-pharm company that makes diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.

23. Lin Dan

• Chinese name: 林丹 (Lín Dān)
• Famous for: Becoming one of badminton’s greatest players
• Born: October 14, 1983

After Yao Ming, Lin Dan is the next most well-known sportsperson in China.

He’s regarded as badminton’s greatest player of all time, the GOAT.

Over two decades, the champion player won two Olympic gold medals, five World titles and 666 career wins.

Lin Dan retired at the age of 37 in 2020, bowing out with pain and injuries.

24. Angelababy

• Chinese name: 杨颖 (Yáng Yǐng)
• Famous for: Acting, modelling and celebrity status
• Born: February 28, 1989

Yes, it’s all one word, and no, it’s not her real name.

Described by Vogue as the Kim Kardashian of China, Angelababy has more than 100 million fans on Weibo, China’s version of X (formerly Twitter).

So what’s she actually famous for?

Well, Angela Yeung Wing (that’s her real name) is an actress and a model. She’s been in loads of Chinese language movies and TV shows which you’ve probably never heard of.

The English film she’s in that may ring a bell for you is Independence Day: Resurgence, back in 2016.

As well as teaming up with luxury brands for endorsement deals, Angelababy is known in China for having one of the most expensive weddings.

Her special day cost a whopping 200 million yuan (around US$27 million).

25. Li Jiaqi

• Chinese name: 李佳琦 (Lǐ Jiāqí)
• Famous for: China’s “Lipstick King” and livestream shopping
• Born: June 7, 1992

Widely known in China as ‘Lipstick King’ or ‘Lipstick Brother’, Li Jiaqi is one of China’s most famous influencers.

The entrepreneurial Chinese shot to fame a few years ago for famously selling a record number of lipsticks to his adoring and cashed-up fans during a livestreaming event.

Since then, he’s continued to sell an insane amount of makeup, reportedly earning him millions each month.

But like a couple of other people on this list, Li Jiaqi is not without controversy. He mysteriously disappeared for a few months in mid-2022 after he presented a cake that resembled a tank on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.

In a fairly conservative China, Li Jiaqi pushes the boundaries with his flamboyancy and passion for products which have historically been a feminine mainstay.

26. Karry Wang

• Chinese name: 王俊凯 (Wáng Jùnkǎi)
• Famous for: Leading a Chinese boy band
• Born: September 21, 1999

How could I not end this list of famous people with a cheesy pop star?

Wang Junkai (王俊凯), better known as Karry Wang, was part of three-member boyband TFBoys.

This insanely popular Mandopop trio disbanded in August 2023, following a 10-year streak of hit records including their breakout song, Manual of Youth.

Still in his 20s, Chongqing-born Karry Wang has already starred in a number of Chinese TV shows and movies. Time will tell if his star continues to rise.

Why are there more famous Chinese men than women?

Although Mao Zedong famously said “Women hold up half the sky”, in reality Chinese women have a lower social status than Chinese men, even to this day.

Roles of power and leadership have been predominantly held by Chinese men for centuries in a classic patriarchal society.

Women’s movement was hampered with the ancient practice of foot binding, and in more recent times, women were subjected to forced sterilization under the One Child Policy.

While gender equality is an official state policy and attitudes are slowly changing, baby boys are still preferred over baby girls in some families.

I’ve only just scratched the surface on this issue, but you can see how the status of Chinese men has had an impact on the role of women and their place in China.

My best travel tip

Are you traveling to China soon? If so, don’t forget the internet is censored there.

To access your favorite websites and apps (like Facebook, Instagram, Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, etc), install an eSIM before you go. With an eSIM, you can also:

• Pay electronically using Alipay or WeChat Pay
• Navigate using online maps
• Keep in touch when you’re out and about

I also recommend a standalone VPN for extra security, which you can use in your hotel room (via wi-fi) for things like:

• Online banking
• Private messaging
• Accessing websites the eSIM doesn’t allow

Visit this page for China eSIM and this page for China VPN – my recommendations are tried and tested.

Now you know some famous Chinese people

Now that you know a bunch of famous Chinese people, you’re going to smash it at the next trivia night.

(Speaking of trivia, check out my fun China quiz questions!)

But seriously, learning about famous people in China is a good way to expand your horizons and appreciate other countries and cultures.

As China’s voice gets louder, you’re bound to hear more about noteworthy Chinese people from all walks of life.

If you feel I’ve missed anyone, please let me know in the comments.

I hope you liked my article on famous Chinese people. Next, read about the famous people banned from China. Some names might surprise you!

More famous Chinese stuff

Keep exploring The Helpful Panda:

• Famous Chinese foods
• Famous places in China
• Things that make China famous

Main image credit: Yuganov Konstantin on Shutterstock.

FAQ about famous Chinese people

Are there any famous people from China?

There are plenty, many of whom are unknown outside of China. The most famous include Mao Zedong, Xi Jinping, Confucius and Jackie Chan.

Who is the most famous Chinese person?

In present-day China it’s Xi Jinping, but the locals also know and admire figures like Mao Zedong and Yao Ming. The younger generation love idols like Angelababy and Karry Wang.

Who is the most famous Chinese man?

It’s Mao Zedong, but there are other famous Chinese men in history including Confucius and Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and more recently, Xi Jinping.

Who is the most famous Chinese woman?

It’s Fan Bingbing. She’s a movie star, model, television producer and singer. Although she fell out of favor over a tax evasion incident, everyone still knows her.

Who is the richest person in China?

It’s TikTok entrepreneur Zhang Yiming, but the rich list often changes and Zhong Shanshan, the bottled water billionaire, has also reigned supreme.

Who are the most famous Chinese philosophers?

Confucius and Laozi (Lao Tzu) are the most famous. Confucius is known for his moral teachings, known as Confucianism, while Laozi founded philosophical Taoism and wrote the famous text, Tao Te Ching.

Who are China’s most famous poets?

The most famous are Li Bai and Du Fu. They have long since passed away, but their legacy of famous poems from ancient China remains.