Curated timeline

Chinese History

5,000 years of civilization. From the early dynasties and the Great Wall to the Silk Road, the Imperial majesty, and the modern superpower.

• Founding of Xia Dynasty (c. 2070 BCE)

  Yu the Great establishes the first Chinese dynasty, marking the beginning of dynastic rule and hydraulic civilization.

• Shang Dynasty Oracle Bones (c. 1600-1046 BCE)

  Shang dynasty develops earliest known Chinese writing system on oracle bones, establishing foundation of Chinese script.

• Zhou Conquers Shang (1046 BCE)

  Zhou dynasty defeats Shang at Battle of Muye, introducing Mandate of Heaven concept to justify dynastic change.

• Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE)

  Zhou authority weakens, leading to period of competing states and flourishing of Chinese philosophy.

• Confucius Born (551 BCE)

  Birth of Confucius, whose teachings on ethics, morality, and governance profoundly shape Chinese civilization.

• Warring States Period (475-221 BCE)

  Era of intense warfare and innovation, producing major philosophical schools and military advances.

• Qin Unifies China (221 BCE)

  Qin Shi Huang conquers all rival states, becoming first Emperor of unified China and ending feudalism.

• Great Wall Construction (220-206 BCE)

  Qin Shi Huang orders construction of Great Wall, connecting and extending existing walls to defend against northern invasions.

• Burning of Books (213 BCE)

  Qin Shi Huang orders burning of books and burial of scholars alive to suppress dissent and unify thought.

• Han Dynasty Founded (206 BCE)

  Liu Bang establishes Han dynasty after overthrowing Qin, creating template for Chinese imperial government.

• Silk Road Opens (130 BCE)

  Zhang Qian's missions establish Silk Road trade routes, connecting China to Central Asia and beyond.

• Invention of Paper (105 CE)

  Cai Lun invents paper-making process, revolutionizing writing and record-keeping throughout the world.

• Yellow Turban Rebellion (184 CE)

  Massive peasant uprising led by Zhang Jue weakens Han dynasty and contributes to its eventual collapse.

• Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 CE)

  China splits into three competing kingdoms after Han collapse, becoming legendary period in Chinese culture.

• Buddhism Enters China (1st-2nd century CE)

  Buddhism spreads to China via Silk Road, profoundly influencing Chinese philosophy, art, and culture.

• Tang Dynasty Founded (618 CE)

  Li Yuan establishes Tang dynasty, beginning China's golden age of poetry, art, and international influence.

• Wu Zetian's Reign (690-705 CE)

  Wu Zetian becomes China's only female emperor, ruling during Tang dynasty's peak prosperity.

• An Lushan Rebellion (755-763 CE)

  Devastating rebellion nearly destroys Tang dynasty, marking beginning of medieval China's decline.

• Invention of Gunpowder (9th century CE)

  Chinese alchemists accidentally discover gunpowder while seeking elixir of immortality, revolutionizing warfare.

• Song Dynasty Founded (960 CE)

  Zhao Kuangyin establishes Song dynasty, ushering in period of technological innovation and economic growth.

• Printing Press Invented (1040 CE)

  Bi Sheng invents movable type printing, democratizing knowledge and accelerating cultural development.

• Mongol Conquest of China (1271 CE)

  Kublai Khan establishes Yuan dynasty, making China part of the vast Mongol Empire.

• Marco Polo Visits China (1275-1292 CE)

  Venetian explorer Marco Polo serves at Kublai Khan's court, later introducing China to medieval Europe.

• Ming Dynasty Founded (1368 CE)

  Zhu Yuanzhang overthrows Mongols and establishes Ming dynasty, restoring native Chinese rule.

• Zheng He's Voyages (1405-1433 CE)

  Admiral Zheng He leads massive naval expeditions to Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, demonstrating Chinese maritime power.

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