China
The world's oldest continuous civilization, unified under successive dynasties for over two millennia.
Overview
Chinese civilization coalesced along the Yellow River around 1600 BCE. The Qin unification of 221 BCE created an imperial framework that persisted, with dynastic changes, until 1912. China invented paper, printing, gunpowder and the compass, and its Confucian statecraft shaped all of East Asia.
Basic Information
History Timeline
- c. 1600 – 1046 BCEShang dynasty — earliest Chinese writing
- 1046 – 256 BCEZhou dynasty; Confucius (551 – 479 BCE)
- 221 – 206 BCEQin Shi Huang unifies China
- 206 BCE – 220 CEHan dynasty; Silk Road opens
- 618 – 907Tang dynasty — cosmopolitan golden age
- 960 – 1279Song dynasty — printing, paper money, gunpowder
- 1271 – 1368Yuan dynasty (Mongol)
- 1368 – 1644Ming dynasty
- 1644 – 1912Qing dynasty
- 1949People's Republic of China founded
Ancient Peoples
- Xia peoples
- Shang
- Zhou
- Xiongnu
Ancient Kingdoms
- Shang
- Zhou
- Warring States (Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin)
Empires
- Qin
- Han
- Tang
- Song
- Yuan
- Ming
- Qing
Religions
- Confucianism
- Taoism
- Buddhism
- Chinese folk religion
Culture
Calligraphy, ink painting, poetry, porcelain and opera are core traditions. Confucian ethics have shaped family, education and government for two millennia.
Language
Chinese belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family. Written Chinese uses logographic characters unchanged in structure since the Han standardization.
Important Battles
- Battle of Red Cliffs208 CE
Divided China into Three Kingdoms
- Battle of Talas751
Tang vs. Abbasid Caliphate
- Opium Wars1839 – 1860
Britain forces Qing concessions
Historical Figures
Philosopher whose ethics defined East Asia
First emperor of unified China
Expanded Han territory and opened Silk Road
Founder of the Yuan dynasty
Founder of the People's Republic
Archaeological Sites
- Terracotta Army
- Yinxu (Anyang)
- Sanxingdui
- Longmen Grottoes
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Great Wall
- Forbidden City
- Terracotta Army
- Mogao Caves
- Temple of Heaven
Dynasties
- Shang
- Zhou
- Qin
- Han
- Tang
- Song
- Yuan
- Ming
- Qing
Colonial Period
China was never fully colonized but suffered the 'unequal treaties' of the 19th century, ceding Hong Kong, Macau and treaty ports to European powers.
Modern History
After decades of revolution and reform, China has become the world's second-largest economy and a technological superpower.