Xia Dynasty
The first dynasty in traditional Chinese history. Established by the legendary Yu the Great, it marks the transition from the Neolithic Age to the Bronze Age.
Shang Dynasty
Known for its advancements in bronze casting, jade carving, and the earliest known Chinese writing on oracle bones.
Zhou Dynasty
The longest-lasting dynasty. It saw the rise of Confucianism and Taoism, shaping the philosophical foundation of China.
Qin Dynasty
The first imperial dynasty. Qin Shi Huang unified China, began the Great Wall, and commissioned the Terracotta Army.
Han Dynasty
A golden age of peace and prosperity. The Silk Road was established, connecting China to the West.
Tang Dynasty
Considered the high point of Chinese civilization. Poetry, painting, and culture flourished under cosmopolitan rule.
Song Dynasty
A period of technological invention (gunpowder, compass) and economic growth, despite military threats from the north.
Ming Dynasty
Known for the construction of the Forbidden City and the voyages of Zheng He. A restoration of ethnic Chinese rule.
Qing Dynasty
The final imperial dynasty. It saw the greatest territorial expansion but eventually fell to modernization and revolution.
MODERN
ERA
Collapse & Revolution
The narrative of modern China begins with the Opium Wars, marking the "Century of Humiliation." The Qing Dynasty crumbled under internal rebellion and external pressure, leading to the Republic and eventual Civil War.
Rebirth & Reform
The founding of the People's Republic of China reshaped society. Following decades of isolation, the Re-opening in 1978 sparked the greatest economic growth engine in human history.
The Velocity of Growth
Skyscrapers rose where farmland stood. High-speed rail unified the continent. China became the world's factory and then its innovation hub.
Cyberpunk & Tradition
Today, ancient tea culture coexists with AI and neon cityscapes. A new generation redefines what it means to be Chinese in a globalized, digital world.
