Chinese Dynasty Timeline
| Dynasty | Period | Capital | Founder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xia | c. 2070-1600 BC | Yangcheng | Yu |
| Shang | c. 1600-1046 BC | Yin | Tang |
| Western Zhou | 1046-771 BC | Haojing | King Wu of Zhou |
| Eastern Zhou | 770-256 BC | Luoyi | King Ping of Zhou |
| Qin | 221-207 BC | Xianyang | Qin Shi Huang |
| Western Han | 202 BC-8 AD | Chang'an | Emperor Gaozu of Han |
| Eastern Han | 25-220 | Luoyang | Emperor Guangwu of Han |
| Three Kingdoms | 220-280 | - | - |
| Western Jin | 265-316 | Luoyang | Sima Yan |
| Eastern Jin | 317-420 | Jiankang | Sima Rui |
| Northern and Southern Dynasties | 420-589 | - | - |
| Sui | 581-618 | Daxing | Emperor Wen of Sui |
| Tang | 618-907 | Chang'an | Emperor Gaozu of Tang |
| Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms | 907-979 | - | - |
| Northern Song | 960-1127 | Kaifeng | Emperor Taizu of Song |
| Southern Song | 1127-1279 | Lin'an | Emperor Gaozong of Song |
| Yuan | 1271-1368 | Dadu | Kublai Khan |
| Ming | 1368-1644 | Nanjing/Beijing | Hongwu Emperor |
| Qing | 1644-1912 | Beijing | Hong Taiji |
Description
Chinese Dynasty Timeline presents an interactive chronological overview of all Chinese dynasties with key historical events and rulers.
Use Cases
Education: Learn Chinese history chronology
Research: Quick reference for historical periods
Teaching: Visual aid for history classes
Writing: Reference for historical context
Culture: Understand Chinese historical progression
Instructions
Browse the timeline by scrolling
Click a dynasty for detailed information
View key events and notable rulers
Compare contemporaneous world events
Search for specific dynasties or periods
Notes
- Timeline covers from Xia Dynasty to present
- Some dates are approximate due to historical records
- Overlapping periods are shown with multiple entries
- Key cultural achievements are highlighted
FAQ
How accurate are the dates?
Dates follow mainstream historical scholarship. Some early dynasties have debated dates.
Are all dynasties included?
All major recognized dynasties are included, along with significant smaller kingdoms and periods.