Dynasties in Chinese history facts for kids

Territories of different Chinese dynasties

Many powerful Chinese dynasties have ruled the country throughout its long history. These dynasties were like royal families that held power for many years. They shaped China into the country it is today. Each dynasty brought new ideas, changes, and challenges.

Meet the Chinese Dynasties

China's history is often told through its many dynasties. A dynasty is when a family rules a country for a long time, passing power from one family member to the next. This table shows the main dynasties that ruled China, who their leaders were, and how long they lasted.

Dynasty Name				Rulers	Ruling Family	Years They Ruled
Name	Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors	三皇五帝	Sān Huáng Wǔ Dì	As English	(list)	various	2852-2070 BC	782
Xia Dynasty	夏	Xià	Summer	(list)	Sì (姒)	2070–1600 BC	470
Shang Dynasty	商	Shāng	Toponym	(list)	Zǐ (子)	1600–1029 BC	571
Western Zhou Dynasty	西周	Xī Zhōu	Toponym	(list)	Jī (姬)	1029–771 BC	275
Eastern Zhou Dynasty Traditionally divided into Spring and Autumn Period Warring States Period	東周 / 东周 春秋 戰國 / 战国	Dōng Zhōu Chūnqiū Zhànguó	Toponym "Histories" (literally "Spring and Autumns") "Warring States"	(list) (list) (list)	Jī (姬) various	770–256 BC 722–476 BC 475–221 BC	514 246 254
Qin Dynasty	秦	Qín	Unknown, Possibly Toponym	(list)	Yíng (嬴)	221–206 BC	15
Western Han Dynasty	西漢 / 西汉	Xī Hàn	Toponym	(list)	Liú (劉 / 刘)	206 or 202 BC–9 AD, 23-25 AD	215
Xin Dynasty	新	Xīn	"New"	(list)	Wáng (王)	9–23 AD	14
Eastern Han Dynasty	東漢 / 东汉	Dōng Hàn	Toponym	(list)	Liú (劉 / 刘)	25–220	195
Three Kingdoms	三國 / 三国	Sān Guó	As English	(list)	Cáo (曹) Liú (劉 / 刘) Sūn (孫 / 孙)	220–265 or 280	45
Western Jin Dynasty	西晉 / 西晋	Xī Jìn	Ducal title	(list)	Sīmǎ (司馬 / 司马)	265–317	52
Eastern Jin Dynasty	東晉 / 东晋	Dōng Jìn	Ducal title	(list)	Sīmǎ (司馬 / 司马)	317–420	103
Southern and Northern Dynasties	南北朝	Nán Běi Cháo	As English	(list)	various	386 or 420–589	169
Sui Dynasty	隋	Suí	Ducal title (随 homophone)	(list)	Yáng (楊 / 杨)	581–618	37
Tang Dynasty	唐	Táng	Ducal title	(list)	Lǐ (李)	618–907	289
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms	五代十國 / 五代十国	Wǔ Dài Shí Guó	As English	(list)	various	907–960	53
Kingdom of Dali	大理国	Dàlǐ Guó	Toponym	(list)	Duan (段)	937–1253	316
Northern Song Dynasty	北宋	Běi Sòng	Toponym	(list)	Zhào (趙 / 赵)	960–1127	167
Southern Song Dynasty	南宋	Nán Sòng	Toponym	(list)	Zhào (趙 / 赵)	1127–1279	152
Liao Dynasty	遼 / 辽	Liáo	"Vast" or "Iron" (Khitan homophone)	(list)	Yelü (; 耶律)	907 or 916–1125	209
Jin Dynasty	金	Jīn	"Gold"	(list)	Wanggiyan (; 完顏 / 完颜)	1115–1234	119
Western Xia	西夏	Xī Xià	Toponym	(list)	Li (; 李)	1038–1227	189
Yuan Dynasty	元	Yuán	"Great" or "Primacy"	(list)	Borjigin (ᠪᠣᠷᠵᠢᠭᠢᠨ; 孛兒只斤 / 孛儿只斤)	1271–1368	97
Ming Dynasty	明	Míng	"Bright"	(list)	Zhū (朱)	1368–1644 or 1662	276
Qing Dynasty	清	Qīng	"Pure" or "Gold" (Manchu homophone)	(list)	Aisin Gioro ( ᠠᡳᠰᡳᠨ ᡤᡳᠣᡵᠣ}; 愛新覺羅 / 爱新觉罗)	1636 or 1644–1911	268

Timeline graph

The Xia Dynasty: China's First Rulers

The Xia dynasty is thought to be the first ruling family in Chinese history. It lasted from 2070 BC to 1600 BC. The great emperor Yu the Great likely started this dynasty.

Historians are not completely sure if the Xia dynasty truly existed. Some people believe it might be a legend. This is because there is not much clear evidence from before 1600 BC. However, archaeologists have found ancient sites from around 1500 BC. These findings suggest that the basic ideas of Chinese society might have begun during the Xia period. For example, they found what might be the oldest Chinese calendar, a lunar calendar. The Xia dynasty ended when the Shang dynasty took over.

The Shang Dynasty: Bronze and Writing

The Shang dynasty ruled China from 1600 BC to 1046 BC. It began when a leader named Tang defeated the last Xia emperor, Jie. The Shang dynasty ended with the death of Di Xin.

The Shang dynasty was very important for Chinese culture. This was when the first Chinese characters were created. These early writings were often used by seers and shamans for special ceremonies. People during this time were skilled at making things from bronze. They created beautiful ritual vessels, tools for farming, and even weapons.

In farming, the main crops were millets, wheats, and rice. Farmers also grew mulberries. These were used to feed mulberry silkworms, which produced silk.

The Zhou Dynasty: Longest Reigning Family

The Zhou dynasty ruled for the longest time of all Chinese dynasties. It lasted from 1045 BC to 256 BC. The Shang dynasty became weak because they were often fighting with nearby tribes. This gave the Zhou people a chance to rise. They defeated the Shang in the area of An-yang. After their victory, the Zhou dynasty took control of the government.

The Zhou people were originally nomadic shepherds from the Shanxi province. The Zhou rulers divided the country into smaller areas. They gave control of these areas to their relatives and other important people. These Princes controlled fortified towns. They also helped the main rulers during times of war. This way of governing allowed the Zhou rulers to control a very large area.

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Images for kids

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  A depiction of Yu, the initiator of dynastic rule in China, by the Southern Song court painter Ma Lin.

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  An illustration of the Battle of Shanhai Pass, a decisive battle fought during the Ming–Qing transition. The victorious Qing dynasty extended its rule into China proper thereafter.

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  A photograph of the Xuantong Emperor, widely considered to be the last legitimate monarch of China, taken in AD 1922.

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  A German map of the Chinese Empire during the height of the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty is considered to be a "Central Plain dynasty", a "unified dynasty", and a "conquest dynasty".

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  Approximate territories controlled by the various dynasties and states throughout Chinese history, juxtaposed with the modern Chinese borders.