Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: Chang'an

Synopsis

The third installment in the "Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty" series. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming are ordered to lead an investigation team back to Chang'an, solving eight bizarre cases amidst the unpredictable and treacherous political climate of the court.

Overview

The Strange Cases of the Tang Dynasty: Chang'an is a historical suspense unit crime-solving drama jointly produced by iQiyi and Changxin Media. It is the third installment in The Strange Cases of the Tang Dynasty series. Directed by Ju Xingmao, written by Wei Fenghua and Guo Jingyu, and produced by Guo Jingyu and Bai Shan, the series holds a Douban rating of 8.0.

The entire series consists of 40 episodes, narratively linking 8 cases. It continues the suspenseful crime-solving style of the first two installments, blending history, folklore, and eerie elements against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty to reveal the strange tales hidden beneath the splendor of the Great Tang.

Plot

During the transition from summer to autumn in the second year of the Xiantian era, although the Emperor had ascended the throne, the influence of the Grand Princess was even stronger, making the political situation in Chang'an unpredictable. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming were ordered to lead an investigation team, comprised of Pei Xijun, Fei Jishi, Yingtao, and Xue Huan, back to Chang'an.

Amidst the treacherous court politics, the team successively solved several bizarre cases, including the Golden Peach from Kang State, the Crying in Chengfo Temple, and the traces of the Bai Ze. From strange cases in Chang'an to adventures in the Western Regions, and then to the secrets of Chang'an itself, each case involved court intrigues and the hardships of the common people. Su Wuming, leveraging his identity as a disciple of Judge Dee and his extraordinary deductive skills, unraveled the layers of mysteries, while Lu Lingfeng provided protection with his martial prowess.

The series adopts a unit drama format, with each independent case spanning approximately five episodes. These cases are interconnected by an overarching main plot, with foreshadowing and callbacks, creating a progressively layered narrative.

Cast

Series Background

Since the premiere of its first installment in 2022, The Strange Cases of the Tang Dynasty series has garnered positive audience reception for its unique suspenseful crime-solving theme and high production quality. The first installment holds a Douban rating of 8.1. The third installment, The Strange Cases of the Tang Dynasty: Chang'an, released in 2025, returns to the series' starting point, setting the story stage back in Chang'an city.

The series began filming on October 23, 2024, and wrapped on May 29, 2025, with shooting locations at the Hengdian World Studios. As one of the representative works of historical crime-solving dramas, it has stood out amidst fierce competition in the wuxia genre, distinguishing itself with its eerie and mysterious investigative plots.

Production Features

The series is structured around unit cases, with each case forming an independent chapter while remaining closely tied to the overarching court situation. The production team dedicated significant effort to set restoration, costume and prop design, and martial arts choreography, striving to recreate the Tang Dynasty's ambiance.

The drama incorporates numerous historical allusions and folk legends from the Tang Dynasty, such as the Golden Peach tribute from Kang State and the mythical creature Bai Ze, allowing viewers to learn about Tang culture while following the story.

References

1. Douban: https://m.douban.com/movie/subject/36318037/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/唐朝诡事录之长安/64756092
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/唐朝诡事录之长安