This List is based on my personal opinion. I usually judge an actor / actress based on their acting ability I personally think popularity should have nothing to do with my judgment. I usually put the most versatile actors / actresses on the top because they usually have the most impressive performances.
Majority of these actresses grew up poor or came from humble beginnings - I didn't know about this till I started doing research.
1. Zanillia Zhao
Born: 16 October 1987
Birthplace: Langfang , Heibei , China
Education: Langfang School of Electronic Information Engineering
Spouse: Feng Shaofeng / William Feng (married 2018, actor from China / They use to both be under the same agency - Huayi Brothers, Zanillia Zhao left the agency in 2010)
Years Active 2006 - present
Zanillia Zhao in my opinion is one of the best Chinese actresses to date she is very versatile , skilled , smart, as well as very dedicated and hardworking. Zanillia Zhao grew up poor on a farm. She uses the money she earns to help fund raisers and charities pay for damages, school education and amenities of her home town. Zhao opened her own studio Zhao Liying Studio in 2014.
2. Yang Mi
Born: 12 September 1986
Birthplace: Xuanwu District , Beijing, China
Education: Beijing Film Academy's Performance Institute
Spouse: Hawick Lau (married 2014 , actor from Hong Kong)
Children: Noemi Lau - born 2014 , daughter
Years Active: 1990 (age 4) - present
Yang Mi is a very versatile actress and a smart woman. She had humble beginnings as her father was a Police Officer. Yang Mi is the co-founder of Jay Walk Studio / Jiaxing Media opened in 2013. Her studio has produced many international hits including Eternal Love which she stars in. Yang Mi gives young talents a chance to shine in her productions and scouts young actors and actresses from different universities to be in her agency. Yang Mi's agency has many new big names and upcoming big names.
3. Crystal Liu
Born: 25 August 1987
Birthplace: Wuhan, Hubei, China
Education: Beijing Film Academy
Years Active: 2002 - present
Crystal Liu has a very interesting acting style. She is very good at getting into deep emotions. She mainly focuses on the big screen but in late 2018 she is to star in a drama for the first time in over a decade. In the end of 2017 Crystal Liu has been cast as Mulan in Disney upcoming live adaption. Liu parents separated when she was 10. Her mum was a actress and performer and trained her from a young age. After her parents divorced she moved to the US and later got US Citizenship before she returned to China to pursue an acting career.
4. Cecillia Liu
Born: 10 March 1987
Birthplace: Beijing , China
Education: Beijing Dance Academy , major in ballet
Spouse: Nicky Wu (married 2015 , actor from Taiwan, Scarlet Heart Co-star)
Years Active: 2004 - present
Cecillia Liu is a versatile actress , I personally love her mature roles. She is know as one of the New Four Dan Actresses 2010s generation. Cecillia Liu opened her own studion called Liu Shishi studio in 2017.
5. Li Yi Tong
Born: 6 September 1990
Birthplace: Jinan , Shandong , China
Education: Shenzhen Art School (from age 12) , Beijing Dance Academy - majored in folk dance, Bachelors Degree
Years Active: 2015 - present
Li Yi Tong is very skilled and talented in the acting field even though she has very little experience. Li Yi Tong's acting ability stands out and and is similar to Yang Mi's acting ability and I believe that Li Yi Tong will become very successful. Li Yi Tong was formerly a professional dancer she originally wanted to start a business but after helping out a friend who is a film student she became intrigued and wanted to pursue an acting career. Li Yi Tong stars in many underrated dramas which I believe deserves a lot more attention. (Bloody Romance , Demon Girl 1/2).
6. Sun Yi
Born: 4 June 1993
Birthplace: Jilin Province, China
Education: Unknown
Spouse: Dong Zijian (married 2017 , actor from China)
Children: Dong Dafu - born 2017 , daughter
Sun Yi is a skilled actress who is known for her 'natural acting ability'. Sun Yi's acting in my opinion stands out and is quite unique. I believe she will also become very successful. I personally love her role in Because of You and Seige in the Fog and I'm interested in watching All out of Love.