Chinese Folk Tales
Read our collection of 94 Chinese folk tales — stories from one of the world’s oldest and richest narrative traditions. Chinese folklore spans over four thousand years, drawing wisdom from Confucian ethics, Taoist philosophy, and Buddhist spirituality.
Our collection includes tales of the Jade Emperor, the Monkey King, the Dragon Kings, filial sons and daughters, clever judges, and magical transformations. Chinese folk tales are distinguished by their emphasis on filial piety, moral virtue, cosmic balance, and the belief that good deeds are always rewarded in the fullness of time.
Each story is retold with cultural authenticity and vivid illustration, making this the ideal collection for exploring Chinese culture, Asian folklore, and Eastern moral philosophy. Perfect for bedtime stories, classroom resources, and multicultural education.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl: A Love Across the Heavens
The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl: A Love Across the Heavens: In the empire’s most remote valley, where mountains touched the clouds and the river ran clear as
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Yang Oerlang
Yang Oerlang: The second daughter of the Ruler of Heaven once came down upon the earth and secretly became the wife of a mortal man named Yang. And when she
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Women’s Words Part Flesh And Blood
Women's Words Part Flesh And Blood: Once upon a time there were two brothers, who lived in the same house. And the big brother listened to his wife’s words
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Yang Gui Fe
Yang Gui Fe: The favorite wife of the emperor Ming Huang of the Tang dynasty was the celebrated Yang Gui Fe. She so enchanted him by her beauty that he did
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Why Dog And Cat Are Enemies
Why Dog and Cat Are Enemies: An Ancient Tale of Betrayal and Heartbreak In the time when animals could speak to one another just as humans do, there...
Chinese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Wonderful Man
The Wonderful Man: There is a certain Prefectural city in the south of China, which has earned a reputation distinguishing it from all such towns throughout
Chinese Folk Tales
All Ages
Which Lay A Carbuncle
Which Lay A Carbuncle: Then the king was alarmed and said: “What the fickle boy did was not to be endured, it is true. But still you were a little too rough
Chinese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Widow Ho
The Widow Ho: One day in the early dawn, a distinguished mandarin was leaving the temple of the City God. It was his duty to visit this temple on the first and
Chinese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Vengeance Of The Goddess
The Vengeance Of The Goddess: In a certain temple in the northern part of the Empire, there once lived a famous priest named Hien-Chung, whose reputation had
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Weaving Maiden Crosses The Silver River
Once a year, a star-maiden walks across a bridge of magpies to meet the boy who keeps the stars' cattle.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Two Scholars
The Two Scholars: Once upon a time there were two scholars. One was named Liu Tschen and the other Yuan Dschau. Both were young and handsome. One spring day
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Three Ruling Gods
The Three Ruling Gods: There are three lords: in heaven, and on the earth and in the waters, and they are known as the Three Ruling Gods. They are all