{ "id": "epbeqnax59", "slug": "strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii", "title": "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II (唐朝诡事录之西行)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia", "label": "East Asian drama series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "label": "East Asian web and streaming serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-sp-to-z", "label": "Titles Sp to Z", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-sp-to-z" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "label": "China · 2021 and later: East Asian web and streaming serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "path": [ { "id": "geo.chn", "label": "China", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021", "label": "China · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "label": "East Asian web and streaming serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II: To the West (唐朝诡事录之西行) is a 2024 iQiyi 40-episode costume mystery anthology, sequel to the 2022 hit, directed by Bai Shan, written by Wei Fenghua, starring Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang, with eight unit cases and a Douban score of 8.3.", "snippet": "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II: To the West (唐朝诡事录之西行) is a 2024 iQiyi 40-episode costume mystery anthology, sequel to the 2022 hit, directed by Bai Shan, written by Wei Fenghua, starring Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang, with eight unit cases and a Douban score of 8.3.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-sp-to-z", "markdown": "# Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II (唐朝诡事录之西行)\n\n**Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II: To the West** (唐朝诡事录之西行) is a 2024 Chinese costume mystery and fantasy anthology detective series, the second installment of the *Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty* franchise. Produced for the streaming platform iQiyi, it runs 40 episodes and follows the detective duo Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming as they travel west from Chang'an solving a sequence of strange criminal cases set in the year 712.[1](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Original title | 唐朝诡事录之西行 (Tang Chao Gui Shi Lu zhi Xixing)[1](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html) |\n| Broadcast | iQiyi, premiered July 18, 2024; 40 episodes[2](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1791830.shtml) • [1](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html) |\n| Director and writer | Chief director Bai Shan (柏杉); original story and screenplay Wei Fenghua (魏风华)[3](https://ghyculturemedia.com/strangetalesoftangdynasty2-begin/?lang=cn) |\n| Source material | Wei Fenghua's 2013 novel *Tang Chao Gui Shi Lu*, which draws on the Tang dynasty miscellany *Youyang Zazu* by Duan Chengshi[4](https://epaper.guilinlife.com/glwbpc/glwb/20250303/13.pdf) |\n| Main cast | Yang Xuwen (Lu Lingfeng), Yang Zhigang (Su Wuming), Gao Siwen (Pei Xijun), Chen Chuang (Fei Jishi), Sun Xuening (Yingtao)[1](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html) |\n| Structure | Eight unit cases: *Xiangmobian*, *Wuzuo zhi Si*, *Fengxue Mojia Dian*, *Qianzhong Du*, *Tongtianxi*, *Yunding Zui*, *Shangxianfang de Laixin*, *Gongyangren*[5](https://www.chinawriter.com.cn/n1/2024/0723/c419388-40283883.html) |\n| Reception | Douban opening score 8.1, later rising to 8.3; iQiyi in-platform heat value passed 10,000[6](https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28268140) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Premise and structure\n\nThe story is set in 712, when Emperor Ruizong changed the era name to Yanhe. The Tang empire remains outwardly prosperous, but hidden factions stir beneath the surface and strange cases multiply among the people. Lu Lingfeng, deputy minister of the Dali Temple (the supreme court), and Su Wuming, an official of the Qianling, again face a series of supernatural-seeming mysteries on their westward journey.[1](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html)\n\nThe five-member \"Tang mystery detective squad\" of Lu Lingfeng, Su Wuming, Pei Xijun, Fei Jishi, and Yingtao returns from the first season. The team departs Chang'an and travels west, encountering a chain of bizarre crimes while the story explores loyalty to the state and human nature.[7](https://news.bjd.com.cn/2024/07/28/10848255.shtml) The season uses what critics describe as a \"pearl-chain\" structure: a continuous main storyline linking eight largely independent unit cases, with Western Regions flavor adding atmosphere and visual impact.[4](https://epaper.guilinlife.com/glwbpc/glwb/20250303/13.pdf)\n\nThe eight cases run from the \"demon-slaying mural murder case\" in Chang'an to a final case centered on the donors of the [Mogao Caves](https://www.edgepedia.org/mogao-caves) at Dunhuang, tracing the team's demotion and westward journey.[8](https://www.jiemian.com/article/11520584.html) Screenwriter Wei Fenghua described the season's essence as \"a western legend, a suspense version of Journey to the West.\"[2](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1791830.shtml)\n\n### Place in the franchise\n\nThe first season, *Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty*, aired on iQiyi in 2022 and became a word-of-mouth hit, topping charts on several platforms for about a month despite little marketing.[3](https://ghyculturemedia.com/strangetalesoftangdynasty2-begin/?lang=cn) • [15](https://rb.gywb.cn/epaper/gyrb/res/2024-08/06/A08/gyrb5531699.pdf) The second season was widely discussed as a rare sequel that surpassed its predecessor in ratings and reach.[8](https://www.jiemian.com/article/11520584.html)\n\nThe franchise continued. A third season, *Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an* ([唐朝诡事录之长安](https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-iii)), aired on November 8, 2025, opening to high scores; it recalls the detective squad to Chang'an under the pretext of escorting golden peaches from the state of Kang.[16](https://wb.gywb.cn/epaper/gywb/res/2025-11/12/6/gywbgywb202511126.pdf)\n\n## Origins and production\n\nThe franchise began with Wei Fenghua's reading notes on [Tang dynasty](https://www.edgepedia.org/tang-dynasty) *zhiguai* (records of the strange) and *chuanqi* tales. In 2017, while working with his mentor, the director Guo Jingyu, on another drama, Wei had written the source book, which at the time had no continuous protagonists, only scattered stories. Guo suggested adapting it for television and asked Wei to create two leads who could \"reach the court above and touch the common people below,\" producing the civil-military pairing of Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng.[8](https://www.jiemian.com/article/11520584.html)\n\nThe series was officially announced on April 12, 2023, when production company GHY Culture & Media (长信传媒) revealed a \"wolf greed and tiger gaze\" concept poster and the start of filming.[3](https://ghyculturemedia.com/strangetalesoftangdynasty2-begin/?lang=cn) Shooting began at Hengdian shortly afterward, with Bai Shan as chief director and the returning leads Yang Xuwen, Yang Zhigang, Gao Siwen, and Chen Chuang.[9](https://www.xinhuanet.com/ent/20230413/ac8909d708524576a028f86b47e366ea/c.html) The core cast of the first season returned, joined by new cast members including [Yu Yi](https://www.edgepedia.org/yu-yi), Chapman To (车保罗), and Tang Jingmei.[3](https://ghyculturemedia.com/strangetalesoftangdynasty2-begin/?lang=cn)\n\nWei Fenghua researched Tang history for years and drew on sources including the *Youyang Zazu*, *Bowu Zhi*, *Duyi Zhi*, and *Wenqi Lu*, so that much of the series' strange material comes from fragments left by Tang writers.[8](https://www.jiemian.com/article/11520584.html) • [4](https://epaper.guilinlife.com/glwbpc/glwb/20250303/13.pdf) He said that in this season he paid more attention to the circumstances of ordinary people at the bottom of Tang society, and to female characters and the spirit of chivalry drawn from Tang tales.[10](https://news.sina.cn/2024-07-30/detail-incfxeue0024339.d.html)\n\n## Reception\n\nThe season premiered on July 18, 2024, and quickly became a summer hit. Its Douban opening score of 8.1, based on nearly 28,000 user ratings with 40.9 percent five-star reviews, was widely reported, and the score later climbed to 8.3.[2](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1791830.shtml) • [6](https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28268140) The iQiyi heat value, the platform's popularity metric, approached 10,000 within a week of launch and later passed it, and the show topped daily rankings on multiple platforms.[7](https://news.bjd.com.cn/2024/07/28/10848255.shtml) • [6](https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28268140) According to *China Film News*, the series ranked third among 2024 domestic dramas by rating and reached number one in 11 overseas countries and regions.[11](https://www.chinafilmnews.cn/UploadFiles/file/20240807/202408070708099959.pdf)\n\nCommentary highlighted several strengths. Reviewers praised the production design, cinematography, and fight choreography as improved over the first season, and noted the series' \"listening\" relationship with its audience: the production adopted many viewer suggestions, and fans promoted the show themselves.[2](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1791830.shtml) • [12](https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2024-07-26/doc-incfmyaf4241470.shtml) Director Bai Shan said that after viewers found the first season's chief villain too easy to guess, the second season was written to be harder to predict, and that the season aimed at three \"news\": new stories, new perspectives, and new faces.[6](https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28268140)\n\nCritics also identified weaknesses. The Paper's review argued that detection itself remains the franchise's shortcoming, with investigative logic sometimes rushed or muddled even as the atmosphere, ensemble acting, and action sequences carried the show.[12](https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2024-07-26/doc-incfmyaf4241470.shtml) • [13](https://k.sina.cn/article_5044281310_12ca99fde020026uo2.html) The *Xiangmobian* case, built around a [Buddhist temple](https://www.edgepedia.org/buddhist-temple) mural, reflects late-Tang popular devotion and the manipulation of believers by cults, while *Wuzuo zhi Si* examines the low status of the coroner (仵作) profession in Tang society.[7](https://news.bjd.com.cn/2024/07/28/10848255.shtml) • [14](https://feeds-drcn.cloud.huawei.com.cn/landingpage/latest?channel=HW_JINGXUAN_ZH&cpid=666&ctype=news&docid=105101985a9351601b64b8ab9ec181812db64c4&dy_scenario=relate&emuiVer=27&r=CN&tn=6c843cebd2a360f2a0b07a92a7a47f5a31aa14c3143161d3332bc672c8de332a&to_app=hwbrowser)\n\n## References\n\n1. [唐朝诡事录之西行 - 电视剧 - 爱奇艺](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_209ze3nm7dp.html)\n2. [爱奇艺悬疑剧《唐诡》豆瓣8.1：剧情进步 诡味十足 - 游民星空](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1791830.shtml)\n3. [唐朝诡事录之西行正式官宣 唐诡IP继续启程 - GHY Culture & Media](https://ghyculturemedia.com/strangetalesoftangdynasty2-begin/?lang=cn)\n4. [桂林晚报 2025-03-03, page 13](https://epaper.guilinlife.com/glwbpc/glwb/20250303/13.pdf)\n5. [\"悬疑探案版的西游记\"逻辑缜密 - 中国作家网](https://www.chinawriter.com.cn/n1/2024/0723/c419388-40283883.html)\n6. [《唐诡之西行》导演柏杉：不可能满分，但必做优等生 - 澎湃新闻](https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28268140)\n7. [《唐朝诡事录之西行》豆瓣开分达8.2，黑马剧搅热暑期剧集市场 - 京报网](https://news.bjd.com.cn/2024/07/28/10848255.shtml)\n8. [豆瓣8.4，平台热度破万，《唐诡之西行》如何打破系列剧魔咒？ - 界面新闻](https://www.jiemian.com/article/11520584.html)\n9. [《唐朝诡事录之西行》正式开机 - 新华网](https://www.xinhuanet.com/ent/20230413/ac8909d708524576a028f86b47e366ea/c.html)\n10. [《唐朝诡事录》第三季正在创作中，主题是长安丨主创谈 - 新浪](https://news.sina.cn/2024-07-30/detail-incfxeue0024339.d.html)\n11. [中国电影报 2024-08-07](https://www.chinafilmnews.cn/UploadFiles/file/20240807/202408070708099959.pdf)\n12. [《唐朝诡事录之西行》：志怪传奇，各显神通 - 澎湃新闻 via Sina Finance](https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2024-07-26/doc-incfmyaf4241470.shtml)\n13. [第一集｜暑期档探案，还得看唐诡 - 澎湃新闻 via Sina](https://k.sina.cn/article_5044281310_12ca99fde020026uo2.html)\n14. [《唐朝诡事录之西行》：一个盛大华丽也幽暗微小的大唐](https://feeds-drcn.cloud.huawei.com.cn/landingpage/latest?channel=HW_JINGXUAN_ZH&cpid=666&ctype=news&docid=105101985a9351601b64b8ab9ec181812db64c4&dy_scenario=relate&emuiVer=27&r=CN&tn=6c843cebd2a360f2a0b07a92a7a47f5a31aa14c3143161d3332bc672c8de332a&to_app=hwbrowser)\n15. [贵州日报 2024-08-06, page A08](https://rb.gywb.cn/epaper/gyrb/res/2024-08/06/A08/gyrb5531699.pdf)\n16. [贵阳晚报 2025-11-12, page 6](https://wb.gywb.cn/epaper/gywb/res/2025-11/12/6/gywbgywb202511126.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › East Asian drama series › East Asian web and streaming serials › Titles Sp to Z*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II (唐朝诡事录之西行)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II (唐朝诡事录之西行)](https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii](https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II (唐朝诡事录之西行)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/strange-tales-of-tang-dynasty-ii. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II: To the West is a 2024 iQiyi 40-episode costume mystery anthology, sequel to the 2022 hit, directed by Bai Shan, written by Wei Fenghua, starring Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang, with eight unit cases and a Douban score of 8.3." }