History of China: Timeline Summary, Dynasties of China, Maps




China is one of the world’s four antiquated human advancements, and the recorded history of China traces all the way back to the Shang Tradition (c. 1600-1046 BC), a long time back.

Timeline of Chinese History

Year Era Dynasty Capital Remarks
2100–1600 BC  Ancient China Xia Luoyang
Dengfeng
Zhengzhou
The first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography
1600–1046 BC Shang Anyang First dynasty to have historical records remaining
1046–221 BC Zhou Xi’an
Luoyang
Confucianism emerged
221–206 BC Imperial China Qin Xi’an First to unite China as a country under an emperor
206 BC – 220 AD Han Xi’an
Luoyang
The same period as the Roman Empire
220–581 Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties Luoyang
Chengdu
Nanjing
Frequent regime changes
581–618 Sui Xi’an
Luoyang
A system was established to select talents by examination
618–907 Tang Xi’an
Luoyang
It had the only female emperor.
960–1279 Song Kaifeng
Hangzhou
Printing, the compass, and gunpowder were invented.
1271–1368 Yuan Beijing The first foreign regime to unite China
1368–1644 Ming Nanjing
Beijing
Most of the Great Wall today was built or repaired during the Ming Dynasty.
1644–1912 Qing Beijing The last dynasty of China
1912–1949 Republic of China Republic of China Beijing
Wuhan
Nanjing
1949–present Modern China People’s Republic of China Beijing

A more detailed table please see China’s historical timeline and some key events. There’s also a simple comparison with the world’s historical development.

Chinese History Timeline

Dynasties of China in Order

Before the rise of the traditions, China was a crude society.

The absolute earliest human remaining parts were tracked down in China: Yuanmou Man, tracked down in Yunnan, Lantian Man in Shaanxi Territory, and Peking Man

Peking Man could utilize fire and made stone carries out. They lived in bunches as tracker finders. This was the principal phase of crude society.

a long time back, proof recommends Upper Cave dweller framed a somewhat fixed gathering of blood relations. Such families additionally showed up in Banpo Town in Xi’an and other archeological destinations along the Yangtze Stream. Then, at that point, individuals cultivated and raised creatures. This is the second phase of crude.

The Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC)

  • The Xia Tradition was considered as the primary administration of antiquated China.
    It’s by and large accepted that the Xia Line comprised of a few groups living close by the Yellow Stream.
  • The Xia Line is generally viewed as the start of China’s inherited tradition.
  • Considered legendary by numerous history specialists, Xia period relics found in a site called Erlitou in the focal Yellow Stream Bowl are yet to be definitively connected with the Xia Tradition as depicted in Zhou Line works.

The Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC)

  • The Shang Line was the main administration with verifiable records remaining.
  • The earliest type of Chinese composition — prophet bones — were found to count with later records of the Shang Line.
  • Chinese progress really started along the Yellow Waterway in the Shang period.
  • The Simuwu Rectangular Ding in the Public Exhibition hall of China was made in the Shang Administration is the biggest bronze vessel at any point viewed as on the planet.

The Zhou Dynasty (1045-221 BC)

Map of Western Zhou
Map of Western Zhou
  • The Zhou Dynasty was divided into the Western Zhou (1045–771 BC), the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), and the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). The latter periods are also known as the Eastern Zhou.
  • Compared with the peace and prosperity of the Western Zhou, the Eastern Zhou was a period of great division. The Zhou king lost his authority and seven prominent states emerged.
  • Of these seven states, Qin was the final winner and established the later Qin Dynasty.
  • Major philosophies and religions emerged that were the basis of Chinese beliefs in later eras, such as Confucianism and Daoism.

Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC)

Map of Qin Dynasty
Map of Qin Dynasty
  • The Qin Line was quick to join China as a country under a sovereign rather than a decision family, which implied the start of China’s primitive period.
  • The Qin Line was the most brief tradition in China, enduring just 15 years.
  • The Principal Sovereign — Qin Shi Huang was first to involve the title of ruler in China.
  • Qing Shi Huang normalized units of weight and estimations, as well as the composing framework.
  • Extraordinary structure projects, for example, the Incomparable Wall and the Earthenware Armed force were inherent this time.

The Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

Map of Western Han
Map of Western Han
  • The Han Dynasty was one of the most powerful, prosperous, and important dynasties in China’s history.
  • The Han Dynasty existed at the same time as the Roman Empire.
  • The Han Dynasty was known for starting Silk Road trade and connecting China with Central Asia and Europe.
  • Confucianism was officially elevated to orthodox status and was to shape the subsequent Chinese civilization.
  • Buddhism, originating in ancient India was introduced to China, and Taoism, China’s local religion, arose.
  • Hua Tuo invented the first anesthetic — mafeisan and was the first doctor in the world to operate under general anesthesia.
  • Cai Lun improved the technique of paper making, and Zhang Heng invented a seismograph that could measure earthquakes.

Wei, Jin, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties (220–581)

  • This period saw the most continuous shifts in power Chinese history.
  • At the point when the Han Line fell into decline, it cracked into the Three Realms Time frame (220-265). The Jin Tradition came after the Three Realms Period with halfway unification. In any case, China again broke, this time into the Southern and Northern Traditions (420-589).
  • During this period, different identities in the north settled political power and moved to the focal fields, progressively tolerating the Han culture. Public joining arrived at its peak.
  • During this chaotic time, Buddhism was well known and was upheld by lead representatives. The rulers utilized Buddhist plans to urge individuals to willing get through anguish and depended maybe too much on life following death, to surrender the protection from the decision class.

The Sui Dynasty (581–618)

  • The Sui Line was a short, extreme tradition, with extraordinary victories and accomplishments, like the Fantastic Waterway and the reconstructing of the Incomparable Wall.
  • One of Head Wen’s most unmistakable accomplishments was to make the royal assessment framework to choose gifted people for administrative positions.
  • Japan sent messengers to the Sui Administration to concentrate on the way of life, economy, and political framework, which affected the way of life of Japan.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Map of Tang Dynasty
Map of Tang Dynasty
  • The Tang Dynasty ruled one of the most powerful countries in the world. Its capital Chang’an (now Xi’an) was then the largest city in the world.
  • The second emperor of Tang, Li Shimin, was one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. His openness and valor laid the foundation for the prosperity of the dynasty for 100 years.
  • The Tang Dynasty produced the only female emperor in Chinese history — Wu Zetian.
  • The Tang Dynasty was also the golden age for poetry, painting, tricolored glazed pottery, and woodblock printing. Great Tang poets included Li Bai and Du Fu.
  • During the period, Korea, Japan, and other vassal countries sent many students to study in Chang’an and Luoyang.
  • China’s papermaking, textiles, and other technologies spread to West Asia and Europe through the Arab region. Islam was introduced to China.
  • Women’s status improved significantly, and people were free to marry and divorce.

The Song Dynasty (960–1279)

Map of Northern Song
Map of Northern Song
  • The Song Dynasty saw high levels of growth in the commodities economy, culture, education, and scientific innovation in Chinese history.
  • According to some estimates, China’s GDP in the year 1000 was US $26.55 billion, accounting for 22.7% of the world’s total, and its per capita GDP was US $450, higher than the US $400 of Western Europe at that time.
  • The shipbuilding industry was very developed. Overseas trade was prosperous, communicating with the South Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and other areas of more than 50 countries.
  • The “four great inventions” of the Chinese people in ancient times (paper, printing, the compass, and gunpowder) were further developed in the Song Dynasty.
  • The earliest paper money in the world was found in Sichuan Province and dated as Song Dynasty.
  • Foot binding began to appear. This abnormal aesthetic conception seriously harmed women’s health.

The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)

Map of Yuan Dynasty
Map of Yuan Dynasty
  • The Yuan Dynasty was China’s first foreign-led dynasty ruled by Mongol tribes.
  • Trade, technological development, and China’s interaction with foreign countries continued under Mongol rule.
  • The Yuan attempted to conquer Japan, Vietnam, and Burma, but failed, and the Mongol Empire’s eastern and southern edge was Yuan-Dynasty China.
  • Marco Polo from Venice traveled extensively in China, and later described China’s culture and marvels in his book The Travels of Marco Polo.

The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Map of Ming Dynasty
Map of Yuan Dynasty
  • The founder, Zhu Yuanzhang, ousted the waning Mongol Empire in China and began the Ming Dynasty. It was the last dynasty ruled by Han people.
  • The Forbidden City was built and became the residence of emperor for the remainder of the imperial era.
  • The northern border was constantly disturbed, leading to the (re-)construction of the Great Wall. Most of the Great Wall today was built or repaired during the Ming Dynasty.
  • Maritime trade was developed. Emperor Yongle built a big fleet and sent ambassadors on expeditions to gather tributes and to go to the West to trade. The fleet sailed as far as Arabia.

The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)

Map of Qing Dynasty
Map of Qing Dynasty
  • The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China’s history and ruled by the Manchu people of the northeast.
  • The two most famous emperors of the Qing Dynasty were Emperor Kangxi (r. 1661–1772) and Emperor Qianlong (r. 1735–96). Their reigns were “a golden age of prosperity”.
  • China was reduced to being a semi-colonial, semi-imperial country after the First Opium War, which began in 1839.
  • Modern China’s territory was established during this era.

The Republic of China Era (1912–1949)

The Republican Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen, ended the rule of the Qing Dynasty. However, the Republic of China could not be firmly established across China, with civil war ensuing for decades.

Modern China (1949–now)

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China has entered a Communist era of stability, with the Reform and Opening Up policy of 1978 bringing in China’s phenomenal economic growth.

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