HSK Graded Novel Reading List

A printable checklist of 13 Chinese graded novels for HSK 3-5 learners. Choose a level, tick off each novel as you finish it, and keep your reading streak visible.

HSK 35 novels

Start here if you can read short everyday sentences. These books use the ~1,500-word HSK 3 band with strong support.

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Chinese Wisdom Stories I: Staying Clear in a Changing World 中国智慧故事集一:在变化中保持清醒

HSK3, HSK4-, HSK4+, HSK5- · 文化, 中国智慧故事集一 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Journey to the West 西游记

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 名著, 奇幻 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Elm Spirit's Tears 榆神泪

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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TreasureBowl 聚宝盆

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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The Art of War 孙子兵法

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 经典 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

HSK 411 novels

The sweet spot for starting long-form reading. These novels use the 2,000-2,800 word bands and carry a full plot.

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Qingmeizhuma 青梅竹马

HSK4-, HSK5- · 小说, 成长 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Before the Coffee Gets Cold 在咖啡冷掉之前

HSK4-, HSK5- · 小说, 爱情 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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My Part-Time Job Diary in China 我的中国兼职工作日记

HSK4+ · 小说, 校园, 成长 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Chinese Mythology: Creation 中国神话系列一:创世篇

HSK4+ · 神话, 文化 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Chinese Wisdom Stories I: Staying Clear in a Changing World 中国智慧故事集一:在变化中保持清醒

HSK3, HSK4-, HSK4+, HSK5- · 文化, 中国智慧故事集一 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Chinese Wisdom Stories II: Choice, Then Consequence 中国智慧故事集二:选择,然后承担

HSK4-, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 文化, 中国智慧故事集二 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Journey to the West 西游记

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 名著, 奇幻 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Elm Spirit's Tears 榆神泪

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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TreasureBowl 聚宝盆

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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The Art of War 孙子兵法

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 经典 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

HSK 510 novels

Upper-intermediate reading: longer sentences, literary vocabulary, and implied meaning. The largest reading pool on the site.

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Qingmeizhuma 青梅竹马

HSK4-, HSK5- · 小说, 成长 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder 青石镇疑案

HSK5- · 小说, 悬疑 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Before the Coffee Gets Cold 在咖啡冷掉之前

HSK4-, HSK5- · 小说, 爱情 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Roommates in Apartment 302 合租公寓302

HSK5- · 小说, 都市, 喜剧 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Chinese Wisdom Stories I: Staying Clear in a Changing World 中国智慧故事集一:在变化中保持清醒

HSK3, HSK4-, HSK4+, HSK5- · 文化, 中国智慧故事集一 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Chinese Wisdom Stories II: Choice, Then Consequence 中国智慧故事集二:选择,然后承担

HSK4-, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 文化, 中国智慧故事集二 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Journey to the West 西游记

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 名著, 奇幻 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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Elm Spirit's Tears 榆神泪

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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TreasureBowl 聚宝盆

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 小说, 仙侠 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio

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The Art of War 孙子兵法

HSK3, HSK4+, HSK5+ · 经典 · Pinyin + Translate + Audio