History of China
AS ONE of four great ancient civilised nations, China is endowed with time-honoured history of more than 5000 years. The famous Yellow River and Yangtze River where the Chinese nation originated. It was legendarily told that it was the earliest ancestor named Pangu who created the universe and laer on, the Chinese nation. Actually, the recorded Chinese history is about 4000 years, which started from the Shang Dynasty. The long history of China could be generally divided into three periods - the ancient times, imperial times and modern times.
ANCIENT TIMES
Xia Dynasty (2070 BC-1600 BC)
Xia is the first dynasty in Chinese history. It has a history of 500 years, dating from 2,100 BC to 1,600 BC. It was during the Xia Dynasty that the first calendar system was created.
Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1029 BC)
It was during the Shang Dynasty that the first Chinese character, named oracle, was created, which was written on the bones of animals.
Zhou Dynasty (1,100 BC256 BC)
The history of the Zhou Dynasty could be dated back from 1,100 BC to o 256 BC, lasting about 850 years. In the Zhou period, bronzeware was produced, which was featured in shapes and sophisticated in technique.
IMPERIAL TIMES
Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC)
In the year of 221 BC, Qingshihuang, the first emperor in Chinese history, united China and created the first united country – the Qing Dynasty. It was during that period that the world-famous Great Wall was built.
Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)
Founded by Liu bei, the Han Dynasty enjoyed a history of 78 years, from 202 BC to 280 AD. During the Han Dynasty, the philosophy of Confucianism first became the solo thought in Chinese history.
Sui Dynasty (581 AD-618 AD)
During the Sui Dynasty, China was reunited and the economy was recovered.
Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD)
Tang Dynasty is the most prosperous period in Chinese history, which enjoyed the greatest advancement in technology. The history of this period has a significant influence on modern China. It was during the Tang Dynasty that Buddhism became the predominant religion, adopted by the imperial family and civilians and the Silk Road commercial route was created. The Silk Road was the most well-known trading route in ancient China. Places highlighted in the Silk Road are Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar.
Song Dynasty (960 AD-1279 AD)
The Song Dynasty could be divided into two periods Northern Song Dynasty (9601127) and Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The Song
Republic of China (1911 AD-1949 AD)
In 1911, Dr Sun Yat-sen led the Xinhai Revolution and overthrew the last feudal dynasty in China and established the Republic of China, which marks one of the greatest events in the modern history of China.
MODERN TIMES
People’s Republic of China
In 1949, Mao Zedong founded the People’s Republic of China, a nation thriving in its economy, politics and culture. China is now one of the most powerful countries in the world.
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