In the vast expanse of the digital world, parents and educators often seek engaging, educational content that is tailored for the early years, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students. Recognizing this, we have handpicked an exciting collection of the eight best Chinese stories for kids to read online. These stories, a blend of the famous and lesser-known, promise a fun-filled, learning journey, ideal for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and beyond.

China, with its profound historical legacy and rich cultural tapestry, offers a treasure trove of stories. From classic fairy tales to modern narratives, these stories beautifully bridge the gap between the East and the West, providing children an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and traditions in an enjoyable way.

Our curated list includes free, downloadable, and printable PDFs that cater to both boys and girls. The short tales are perfect to tell at story time or as a read aloud before bed, helping your little ones wind down for the night. Each story comes with vibrant pictures that stimulate imagination and bring the text to life, making it easy and exciting for toddlers to follow along. For those who prefer a more immersive experience, we’ve included tales with audio versions for a captivating bedtime read.

Of course, we also acknowledge that some children love delving into longer narratives. Therefore, our collection features a few lengthier tales, perfect for older kids who crave more complex plots and characters.

Regardless of length, each story is a good, solid read, with an underlying moral to help shape young minds. These stories not only entertain but also educate, instilling values and teaching life lessons in a gentle and indirect manner.

To sum up, this compilation of Chinese stories for kids is a treasure box of fun, learning, and cultural exploration. It brings the enchantment of China to your children’s fingertips, opening up a world of imagination before their eyes. Whether you are looking to infuse some diversity into your child’s reading, preparing for a China-themed story time, or simply wanting an educational yet entertaining read for bedtime, these stories will prove to be a perfect choice.

So, cozy up with your little ones, select a story, and let the magic of China’s tales light up their dreams as they fall asleep. We assure you, it’s an adventure you wouldn’t want to miss! Happy reading and pleasant dreams!

Top 8 Chinese Stories

1. The Yellow Dragon: In a peaceful farm, a contemplative boy named Woe encounters a mysterious yellow horseman and his servants. Impressed by Woe’s hospitality, the yellow horseman promises to return. As the boy and his father, Yin, ponder the strange encounter, they seek wisdom from their wise grandmother. She reveals that the yellow horseman is the spirit of storms and his appearance signifies a great tempest. True to her words, a violent storm ravages the land, but Yin’s farm remains untouched. With courage, Woe interprets the signs and assures his family’s safety. When the storm subsides, the yellow horseman reappears and bestows Woe with a magical scale, foretelling a remarkable destiny. The scale brings luck and catches the attention of the emperor, who invites Woe to work as a magician in his court. Woe’s miraculous abilities bring healing and fortune, leading to the emperor’s gratitude and a grand life for Woe, Yin, and their grandmother. The tale serves as a reminder of the power of kindness and hospitality to strangers, as well as the unexpected rewards that can result from such acts.
2. Soccer On A Lake: Chai and his father were renowned soccer players, but tragedy struck when his father drowned in a lake. Eight years later, Chai found himself on the same lake and witnessed a strange spectacle: five men emerged from the water and set up a feast on a floating mat. After the meal, they began playing soccer with a massive, sparkling ball. In an unexpected turn of events, the ball fell into Chai’s boat, and he unintentionally kicked it, causing it to burst with a burst of multicolored light. Enraged by the interruption, the players threatened Chai and his father, but Chai’s quick thinking and swordplay saved them. As they sailed away, Chai’s father revealed the truth: he had been spared from drowning because of his soccer skills, and the players were fish goblins serving the Dragon King. They needed to escape before the Dragon King discovered them.
3. The Cave Of The Beasts: In a family with seven daughters, the father discovers seven wild duck eggs while gathering wood. He plans to keep them for himself, but each daughter wakes up and receives one egg, under the condition of keeping it a secret. The eggs are quickly consumed, leaving none for the parents. Angry, the father announces a trip to the grandmother’s house, intending to abandon the children in the mountains. The older daughters refuse to go, but the younger ones agree. As they wait for their father, he never returns, leaving them alone. Seeking shelter, they find a stone, which turns out to be the entrance to a cave filled with precious jewels belonging to a wolf and a fox. Unaware of the animals, the girls rest in golden beds until the wolf and fox return. Fearing the girls, the animals curl up in kettles by the fire, where the girls trap and kill them. The girls live happily in the cave until their father comes searching for them. Discovering the treasure, they return home as a wealthy family, living happily ever after.
4. How The Moon Got Her Face: Long ago, the moon was dark and gloomy, making him sad and unnoticed. He expressed his desire to be a star or a flower, yearning for admiration and worship. The stars couldn’t help, but the flowers promised to speak of him to Tseh-N’io, the most beautiful girl in the world. The moon fell in love with her and visited her every night. Tseh-N’io decided to go with him to the moon, and she disappeared from Earth, becoming the bride of the moon. As a result, the moon’s face transformed into a beautiful, radiant one, resembling Tseh-N’io, and it now illuminates the world with a gentle light, forever linked to the memory of the kind and lovely Earth girl.
5. The Bird With Nine Heads: In a kingdom, a princess is kidnapped by a bird with nine heads and taken to its cave. A young man, witnessing the abduction, assembles a group of friends to rescue her. Lowered into the cave, he discovers the princess caring for the wounded bird. When the bird falls asleep, he beheads its nine heads and frees the princess. The two plan to be hauled up together, but the other man betrays the young man, leaving him in the cave. Inside, the young man encounters a fish that transforms into a man, and they become brothers. The young man finds magic pearls and a sea-dragon, who turns out to be the fish’s father. They welcome him warmly and offer him a little flask as a reward. He then embarks on a journey using his newfound powers, obtaining a table of food, a donkey, a wagon, and eventually a carriage. When he arrives in the city where the princess resides, she recognizes the half of her silken handkerchief he possesses, and they are wedded, while the false groom is punished. They live happily ever after.
6. The Morning And The Evening Star: In ancient times, two stars named Tschen and Shen, who were sons of the Golden King of the Heavens, had a fierce quarrel resulting in Tschen striking Shen with a powerful blow. In response, they made a solemn vow to never set eyes upon each other again. As a consequence, Tschen can only be seen in the evening, while Shen only appears in the morning. Only after Tschen has vanished from the sky can Shen be witnessed once more. This tale serves as a reminder that when siblings or close ones do not live harmoniously, they resemble Tschen and Shen, forever separated by their conflict.
7. Why Dog And Cat Are Enemies: In this tale, a man and his wife possess a lucky gold ring that ensures their prosperity. Unaware of its power, they sell the ring and subsequently fall into poverty. Realizing their mistake, their dog and cat devise a plan to retrieve the ring. The cat convinces a mouse to gnaw a hole in the chest where the ring is kept, and they successfully retrieve it. On their way home, the cat outpaces the dog, and upon delivering the ring to the owners, the cat receives praise and care while the dog is scolded. Enraged, the dog blames the cat and they become enemies from that day forward. The story serves as a reminder of the consequences that can arise from jealousy and the loss of trust between former friends.
8. Bao The Panda Bear: In the mountains of China, a solitary panda named Bao lives a content and happy life. With his black and white fur resembling a fancy suit, Bao begins his day by stretching and embarking on a search for his favorite food, bamboo. Despite having to digest it frequently and producing up to 40 droppings per day, Bao enjoys exploring his surroundings, napping under shady trees, and feasting on bamboo throughout the afternoon. As the sun sets, Bao finds solace high up in the bamboo trees, feeling safe and at peace in his mountain home. Bao’s simple yet fulfilling life is a testament to finding joy and contentment in the natural world.

As we conclude this journey through China’s storytelling heritage, we hope that these eight remarkable tales inspire a love for reading and a deep appreciation for Chinese culture in your children. Providing educational entertainment, moral teachings, and the fun of audio and visual elements, these stories are perfect for boys and girls of all ages – from toddlers to elementary students. So whether it’s for an enriching story time session, a longer weekend read, or a short bedtime story, this online collection is your go-to resource. Easy to download, read, and share, these free PDFs can be printed out for a classic book reading experience or read aloud for a captivating story night. Remember, every good story is a timeless gift and every night time reading, a precious memory in the making. Happy storytelling and sweet dreams!