Ancient China Timeline

7000 BCE

Neolithic Communities Appear Along the Yellow River

Around 7000 BC, small farming settlements began to dot the banks of the Yellow River, creating a distinct civilization when they began developing and intermixing.
Period: 1600 BCE to 1027 BCE

Reign of the Shang Dynasty
1027 BCE

Shang Dynasty Falls, Zhou Period Begins

Due to the Shang Dynasty's loose use of political control over Northern China, they were easily overthrown by the Zhou, a warlike clan, who formed the following dynasty
Period: 1027 BCE to 256 BCE

Zhou Period

Established after the Shang Dynasty was overthrown, the Zhou leaders ruled for much of the Chinese bronze age until their power diminished and the warring lords of the feudal system took power.
771 BCE

Zhou Leader Killed by Nomads

In 771 BC, nomads invaded the Zhou capital and killed their leader, forcing his successors to flee eastward and marking the decline of the Zhou Dynasty's political power.
Period: 551 BCE to 479 BCE

Life of Kong Fuzi (Confucius)

During his life, Confucius was a teacher and politician, promoting his principles of filial piety, the “rectification of names”, courtesy, the value of education and family centeredness; which would become the basis of Ancient China's belief system.
230 BCE

The Rise of Legalism

Leading up to the first Empire, legalism, which believed that anything that strengthened the state was inherently good, led to the reunification of China and the rise of the Qin Dynasty.
220 BCE

Construction of the Great Wall of China Begins

Built by Emperor Qin to protect Chinese citizens from nomads in the North, the Great Wall of China is an architectural feat that has been protecting the Nation for thousands of years.
214 BCE

Measurements, Weights and Coinage are Standardized

In an attempt to further unify China, Emperor Qin and his Prime Minister, Li Si, standardized the weights, measurements and coinage across the nation and created a standard dictionary.
206 BCE

Han Dynasty is Founded

After Emperor Qin’s death, his incompetent heir took over, sparking rebellions; one of which was led by the Han, who began the Han Dynasty, a period that known for its land expansion and increased quality of life.
124 BCE

Confucianism is Declared the State Religion

Emperor Wudi, who sought to bring stability to China, achieved his goal by making Confucianism the state religion, greatly impacting how the government ran and how people lived.
1 CE

Buddhism is Introduced to China

Brought to China by Indian monks, Buddhism quickly spread across the nation, with nunneries, monasteries and temples popping up in every community, due to its idea of peace and enlightenment which was a contrast from the suffering endured in life.
589

The Sui Dynasty is Founded

After 272 years of disunion, General Sui Wendi reunited China, conquering the last of the dynasties and establishing the Sui Dynasty which is known for its excellent quality of life.
618

The Golden Age of China Begins

Emperor Taizong, who took over after the downfall of the Sui Dynasty, created policies that allowed China's culture to flourish and also took great interest in the needs of the common people.
690

First Female Emperor Rules China

After ruling behind the scenes for nearly 30 years, Empress Wu took the throne for fifteen years after the death of her husband, becoming the first female ruler in China's history.
Period: 752 to 762

Rebellion of An Lu-shan

The glory days of the Tang Dynasty ended when Emperor Ming-Huang fell in love with Yang Gueifei, neglecting his responsibilities as emperor and allowing his government to fall into corruption; in effect, causing one of China’s bloodiest and longest rebellions.
960

The Song Dynasty is Established

Several decades after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty was established, starting a period of artistic advancement that is often compared to the renaissance.
1271

Hangzhou is Invaded by the Mongols

Kubilai Khan and his army invaded the capital, Hangzhou, and established a new dynasty, the Yuan, which aided in the spread of Chinese technology throughout the western civilizations.
1368

The Ming Dynasty is Founded

A group of rebels defeated the Mongols, who had worn themselves thin from other wars, establishing a new Chinese dynasty, the Ming, that was marked by its stability in the economy and culture and development of literature and theatre.
Period: 1405 to 1433

Seven Great Maritime Expeditions

In a show of wealth and power, the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty sent Zheng He, an explorer, on several maritime expeditions; all of which caused renewed China's image of power and majesty.
1514

Southern Chinese are Raided by Europeans

Portuguese pirates and traders, who sailed to the southern coast of China, increased the xenophonia in China after they forcibly took Chinese goods, violently attacking the people who lived there.
1600

Jesuits Arrive in Beijing

Jesuits arrived in Beijing with the intention of converting Chinese citizens to Catholocism, however, their presence did more than that because they left a good impression on the Chinese, sparking contact between the West and China.