In 1992, Swordsman II directed by Tsui Hark brought Lin one of the most memorable roles in the history of Chinese martial arts movies. In the film, she succeeded in portraying the male protagonist Dongfang Bubai. Swordsman II marked the peak of her career in terms of box office earnings. It was featured on Time magazine as one of the greatest films made since 1923. Subsequently, she starred in many other notable martial epics including New Dragon Gate Inn (1992) and The Bride with White Hair (1993). Lin's subsequent collaborations with Wong Kar-wai in Ashes of Time (1994) and Chungking Express (1994) were also some of her most notable films.