Tong Liya (, born 8 August 1983) is a Chinese actress of Xibe ethnicity. She first gained recognition in The Queens (2008), followed by roles in the television series Palace (2011), Beijing Love Story (2012), Ordinary World (2015), Nirvana in Fire 2 (2017), Great Expectations (2018), as well as the film How Long Will I Love U (2018).
Background Tong was born in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang province. Her father Tong Jisheng () was of Xibe ethnicity from Xinjiang while her mother Mao Haiying () was of Han ethnicity from Gansu.
Tong majored in dance at the Xinjiang Arts Institute, and due to her excellent results, was able to gain a placement at the Xinjiang Singing & Dancing Troupe. She subsequently obtained a qualification to teach dance at Xinjiang Arts Institute in 2000. In 2004, she enrolled in Central Academy of Drama, majoring in performance.
Tong was named ambassador of Xibe in 2011.
Career Tong made her debut in the Hong Kong television series C'est La Vie, Mon Chéri in 2008, and gained attention for her beautiful looks. Following her role as Zhao Feiyan in the 2009 historical drama The Queens, Tong experienced a rise in popularity.
Tong successfully broke into the mainstream with her subsequent roles in Palace (2011) and Beijing Love Story (2012), which were both major hits. Throughout her career, Tong has portrayed various roles in hit dramas My Economical Man (2012), Weaning (2013), Sword Family Woman (2014) and Obstetrician (2014); and was named the "Ratings Queen" by the Chinese media. She also starred in films, most notably Tsui Hark's wuxia film The Taking of Tiger Mountain (2014) and Chen Sicheng's comedy film Detective Chinatown (2015).
In 2015, Tong starred in the period drama Ordinary World (2015), based on the Mao Dun Literature Prize novel of the same name by Lu Yao. She received acclaim for her performance, and won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress.
In 2017, Tong starred in the wuxia drama Nirvana in Fire 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed drama Nirvana in Fire by Hai Yan.
In 2018, Tong starred in two spy dramas. In Great Expectations, she played the role of a wealthy lady who disguises as a man to infiltrate the underworld to seek revenge for her dead father. In Patriot, she played the role of an underground spy. Tong won the Audience's Loved Character award at the China TV Drama Awards for her portrayal. The same year, Tong won acclaim and numerous accolades for her performance in the romance comedy film How Long Will I Love U.
In January 2020, she starred in the workplace drama Perfect Partner as a public relations officer.
Personal life Tong and actor Chen Sicheng got married on 16 January 2014. The couple met and fell in love while filming the television series Beijing Love Story, which Chen directed and co-scripted. They announced their relationship on Happy Camp in 2012. The couple got married in 2014 at Tahiti. On 30 January 2016, Tong announced that she had given birth to their first child, a son named Chen Duoduo. On 20 May 2021, Tong and Chen announced their divorce.
Filmography Film Year English title Chinese title Role Notes2009 Roses' Fragrance Guo Jiani television film 2011 Endless Love Bai Yu television film The Purple House Zhou Tong2013 So Young Shi Jie Silent Witness Li Xiaoni 2014 Beijing Love Story Shen Bing The Taking of Tiger Mountain Little Dove 2015 Wild City Tang Wen Doomed Disaster Hu Meirui Surprise Scorpion Spirit Special appearance Detective Chinatown Ah Xiang2016Run for Love Ye Yiyi Heartfall Arises Chen Xiangru 2018 How Long Will I Love U Gu Xiaojiao 2019 Coward Hero Du Qing My People, My Country Yidan 2020 My People, My Homeland Dong Wenhua Guest appearance 2021 Assassin in Red Special appearance2024 Black Dog Grape Octopus with Broken Arms Li Huiping
Television series Year English title Chinese title Role Notes2008 Mandarin Duck River Wong ManliC'est La Vie, Mon Chéri Lee Joi Oi (younger) Empty Lane Qi Qiao The Queens Zhao Feiyan 2009 I Am a Grass Yue XiaomeiLiving Pride Jia Xiaochen Mother and Wife Sun Yating2010 Unbeatable Sabrina Maid in the Big House Su Wenhui Happy Mother-in-Law, Pretty Daughter-in-Law Xilan Cameo The Vigilantes in Masks Jing Ruyi2011 Palace Nian Suyan (Tong Suyan) Horizon True Heart Gao Shuhua Wrong Hate Dong Zisu Misty Rain in the Setting Sun Gao Wanyi Love Can Come Again Lu Jialiang Beauty World Wu Qingcheng 2012 Beijing Love Story Shen Bing My Economical Man He Xiaojun Dream Back to Tang Dynasty Tao Zhu Beauties of the Emperor Wu Meiren 2013 After Shock Wan Xiaodeng Weaning An Qi Love is Not Blind Cameo Fall in Love Yu Huxin 2014 Sword Family Women Ge Dani Loving, Never Forgetting Wu Tong Obstetrician He Jing 80s Engagement Su jing2015 Ordinary World Tian Runye Huang Xiaoying 2017 Nirvana in Fire 2 Meng Qianxue Special appearance2018 Great Expectations Lin Yiyi Patriot Shu Jian 2019 Right Here Waiting For You adult Wei Xiao Cameo2020 Perfect Partner Jiang Linda The Fiery Years of Gao Da Xia Gao Daxia The Centimeter of Love Guan Yuqing2021 Too Good to be Married He Daye Refinement of Faith Qin Ziyin Segment "Sing for the Nation"2022 The Scale of Desire Chen Xin TBAThe Love Without a Trace Shen Lianxing Huan Xi Sha 浣溪沙 Xi Shi
Discography Singles Year English title Chinese title Album Notes2012 "Love Has No Reason" My Economical Man OST "Only Sing For You" 2013 "Us" with her university friends2018"Don't Forget Me" How Long Will I Love U OSTwith Lei Jiayin 2020 "Firmly Believe Love Will Win" COVID-19 pandemic support theme song
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2012 26th China TV Golden Eagle Award Best Actress Beijing Love Story 2014 13th Huading Awards Best Actress in a Television Series Aftershock 6th China Image Film Festival Best Young Actress Beijing Love Story 6th Macau International Movie Festival Best Actress 2015 21st Shanghai Television Festival Best Actress Ordinary World 2016 19th Huading Awards Best Actress (Modern Drama) 28th China TV Golden Eagle Award Audience's Choice for Actress 20174th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald) 201824th Huading AwardsBest Actress Patriot 8th China Movie Channel Media Awards Best ActressHow Long Will I Love U17th Huabiao AwardsOutstanding Actress 18th Chinese Film Media AwardsMost Anticipated Actress 2019 26th Beijing College Student Film Festival Favorite Actress 25th Huading Awards Best Actress Cosmo Glam NightPerson of the Year (Dream) Jinri Toutiao Awards Ceremony Quality Actress of the Year 2020 Weibo Awards CeremonyWeibo Goddess
Forbes China Celebrity 100 YearRank 2013 79th201443rd201566th201738th201979th202055th
References
External links Tong Liya