Diary of Eerie Tang Dynasty: Journey to the West

Synopsis

In the year 712 AD, Emperor Ruizong of Tang changed the reign title to Yanhe. The Tang Dynasty remained prosperous across the world, yet beneath the splendor, undercurrents were stirring. Lu Lingfeng, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Su Wuming, the closed-door disciple of Di Renjie, were demoted and exiled from Chang'an, embarking on a journey westward. Along the way, bizarre cases occurred frequently. The two joined forces to unravel eight mysterious cases, uncovering the shocking conspiracy hidden behind layers of mist. This drama blends Tang Dynasty supernatural legends with suspenseful reasoning, presenting eight eerie and distinct case stories in an episodic format.

Overview

"Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: Journey to the West" is a 2024 historical suspense detective drama produced by iQiyi and Changxin Media, serving as the second installment in the "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" series. The series is helmed by chief director Bai Shan, written by Wei Fenghua, and stars Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang in leading roles, with supporting performances by Gao Siwen, Chen Chuang, Sun Xuening, Yue Lina, and others. Comprising 40 episodes in total, it premiered exclusively on iQiyi on July 18, 2024. It received a high Douban rating of 8.6, surpassing the acclaim of the first season and establishing itself as a benchmark work for historical suspense dramas in 2024.

The story is set in the Yanhe era (712 AD) of Emperor Ruizong of Tang. Lu Lingfeng, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Su Wuming, an official of the Qianling Mausoleum, are demoted and exiled from Chang'an. As they journey westward, they encounter eight bizarre cases along the way. The series adopts an episodic narrative structure, with several episodes dedicated to each complete case. These cases are subtly interconnected by an overarching plotline, creating a layered and captivating progression.

Plot

During the Yanhe era of the Great Tang, beneath the prosperous surface lurked hidden crises. Lu Lingfeng (played by Yang Xuwen), originally a general of the Imperial Guards, is highly skilled in martial arts and possesses an upright, straightforward character. Su Wuming (played by Yang Zhigang) is the closed-door disciple of Di Renjie, excelling in deduction, solving cases, and understanding human nature. Due to court upheavals, both are demoted and leave Chang'an. They form a detective team with Fei Jishi (Chen Chuang), Pei Xijun (Gao Siwen), Yingtao (Sun Xuening), and others, embarking on a westward journey.

During their travels, the protagonists encounter eight bizarre cases, each with a distinct style and filled with suspense. Among them, the "Death of the Coroner" arc centers on ancient forensic medicine, portraying a deeply moving female coroner of the Tang Dynasty and showcasing the resilience and wisdom of women in feudal society. Intricate details like corpses hidden in clay figurines and the multifaceted seal of Dugu Xin are interwoven, leaving viewers in awe. The final arc, "The Patron," serves as the climax of the entire series. The case features multiple layers of twists and turns, and the fate of Duobao Xiaolangjun is heart-wrenching, hailed by audiences as the most tear-jerking moment across both seasons. Through meticulous investigation of various clues, Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng ultimately unmask the true culprit, revealing a profound theme about greed and human nature.

The series not only features ingenious推理情节 (deductive plots), but also incorporates a wealth of Tang Dynasty historical and cultural elements, such as tales of the strange, Tang official systems, and ancient forensic examination techniques, blending entertainment with knowledge. Characters from the first season, Qinghong and Dugu, make a return in this season, adding more emotional depth to the storyline.

Cast

Awards

Cultural Impact

Following its broadcast, "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: Journey to the West" sparked widespread social discussion. The "Death of the Coroner" arc ignited audience interest in Tang Dynasty history and ancient forensic systems, promoting the普及 (dissemination) of related historical and cultural knowledge. The theme of human greed explored in "The Patron" arc also prompted deep reflection.

At the 2025 Asian Academy Creative Awards, the series narrowly defeated the Korean Netflix drama "Meet Me After the Bitter End" by a margin of 0.06 points, winning both the Best Drama Series and Best Cinematography awards. This victory ended Netflix's three-year monopoly on these awards, marking a significant breakthrough for Chinese historical suspense dramas on the international stage.

Lead actors Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang attended the overseas premiere in Singapore, sharing interesting anecdotes from filming. After the series concluded, all main cast members expressed their intention to reunite for a third season, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating后续作品 (subsequent works).

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/36188849/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/唐朝诡事录之西行/62861105
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/唐朝诡事录之西行
4. Sina News (AACA Award Report): https://www.sina.cn/news/detail/5241142289368903.html