Timeline- Dynasties of China
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Timeline |
Dynasty |
Notable Information |
|
ca. 2100-1600 BCE |
Xia (Hsia) |
It is considered the first dynasty in traditional Chinese history. The Xia Dynasty is said to have been founded by Yu the Great. |
|
ca. 1600-1050 BCE |
Shang |
Capitals: near present-day Zhengzhou and Anyang |
|
1046-256 BCE |
Zhou (Chou) |
Capitals: Hao (near present-day Xi’an) and Luoyang, Western Zhou (ca. 1046-771 BCE), Eastern Zhou (ca. 771-256 BCE), Spring and Autumn Period (770-ca 475 BCE), Confucius (ca. 551-479 BCE), Warring States Period (ca. 475-221 BCE) |
|
221-206 BCE |
Qin (Ch’in) |
Capital: Chang’an, present-day Xian, Qin Shihuangdi dies, 210 BCE |
|
206 BCE-220 CE |
Han |
Western/Former Han (206 BCE-9 CE) Capital: Chang’an (present-day Xian), Confucianism officially established as basis for Chinese state by Han Wudi (r. 141-86 BCE), Eastern/Later Han (25-220 CE) Capital: Luoyang |
|
220-589 CE |
Six Dynasties Period |
Period of disunity and instability following the fall of the Han; Buddhism introduced to China, Three Kingdoms (220-265 CE), Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE), Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589 CE), Cao Wei, Shu Han, Dong Wu |
|
581-618 CE |
Sui |
Capital: Chang’an (present-day Xian) |
|
618-906 CE |
Tang |
Capitals: Chang’an (present-day Xian) and Luoyang |
|
907-960 CE |
Five Dynasties Period |
The dynasties in power during this time were: Later Liang Dynasty (907-923 CE) Later Tang Dynasty (923-936 CE) Later Jin Dynasty (936-947 CE) Later Han Dynasty (947-950 CE) Later Zhou Dynasty (951-960 CE) |
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960-1279 |
Song (Sung) |
Northern Song (960-1127) Capital: Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng), Southern Song (1127-1279) Capital: (present-day Hangzhou) |
|
1279-1368 |
Yuan |
The reign of the Mongol empire; Capital: Dadu (present-day Beijing) |
|
1368-1644 |
Ming |
Re-establishment of rule by Han ruling house; Capitals: Nanjing and Beijing |
|
1644-1912 |
Qing (Ch’ing) |
Reign of the Manchus; Capital: Beijing |
|
1912-1949 |
Republic Period |
Capitals: Beijing, Wuhan, and Nanjing |
|
1949-present |
People’s Republic of China |
Capital: Beijing. |
Timeline of Chinese Dynasties
China has a rich and diverse history, much of which was shaped by dynasties—powerful families with political authority. These families have greatly influenced Chinese politics, society, and culture for over two millennia. To highlight the contributions made by the most significant dynasties, this article examines China’s history through its prisms.
These dynasties, which begin in 2070 BC and conclude with the abdication of the last emperor in 1912, are commonly utilised to tell the story of China. Thirteen powerful dynasties in succession ruled the country throughout this period.
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