[1] Mao Xiaotong started to get recognition after appearing as a supporting role in Empresses in the Palace (2013), a critically acclaimed historical drama starring Sun Li.

[2] In 2012, she starred in wuxia drama The Magic Blade and was nominated at the LeTV Awards for Best New Actress for her performance.

[3] Mao subsequently gained more recognition for her role as Zhong Ling in The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2013).

[4] Thereafter Mao also starred in Sword Family Women (2014), The Romance of the Condor Heroes (2014), and Love Yunge from the Desert (2015).

[8][9] In 2017, Mao played her first leading role in Hunan TV's romantic comedy drama Delicious Destiny.