Another invasion by a Foreign Tribe, the Ching were a Tungusic people native to Manchuria.
The First Capital of the then Northern Ching Dynasty was Shenyang, in current day LiaoNing Province.
Capital City: Beijing (1644 AD), after capture of City and suicide of (last) Emperor Chun Cheng (Chong Zhen) of the Ming Dynasty at Jingshan, DongCheng, Beijing.
Achievements: The Rule of the Ching Dynasty renewed the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural system of the Liao- and Yuan-Dynasties dividing its citizens by Law into Five Ethnic Groups (Jus Sanguis). Each ethnic group was equally included in the power-sharing structure finally allowing for political stability and unification of all groups. The result was an another economic, military and cultural boom in Chinese Society. The middle of the Ching Dynasty saw the development of new Trade Routes with Northern Territories and Russia resulting in what is know as the Tea Road. Already established as China's Tradesmen and Transporters, Shanxi Merchant Families monopolized the Tea Trade resulting through many other factors in the invention of the first Chinese Draft Bank in 1828 in Pingyao, Shanxi transforming the Chinese Financial System and the social position of merchants.
Below is a strict timeline of All Dynasties, naming the Capital Cities and their (former) Locations in China (where possible). Dates of Reign Periods as well as main events of the Rule are given.
A Time Line of All Chinese Dynasties
Early Hsia 2205 BC - Late Qing 1911 AD
Xia (Hsia) Dynasty 2205 to 1766 BC
Founder: Yu the Great. No additional information
Achievements: The first cities of China appeared during the Xia Dynasty. The Xia were not by far a Dynasty in any feudal sense of modernity. Life was primitive, the number of citizens modest. City size was small and agriculture still relatively primitive. Still however, during the Hsia Dynasty Period there was a culture of systematic agriculture, a settled life in which villages existed at least from around the years 3000 BC and where the people constructed a vast system of drainage canals in order to protect their lands and villages from the recurring flooding's that China is still prone to today.
Imperial Ming-styled Dragon Logo, symbolising the Emperor, his might, longevity of Reign and prosperity. During the early Ming Dynasty China was the most influential trade nation and most important military power in East and South-East Asia.
(Go to Tour of) The Palace Hall in which the humiliating Beijing Treaty was signed by XianFeng at Chengde Palace
Shang Dynasty 1766 BC to 1121 BC
Capital City: At first located near Shanqui, in the South-East part of modern day Henan Province. Later moved (through several other locations) to Anyang in North Henan Province.
Capital City: First Xi'an in Shaanxi Province , later moved to LuoYang, on the Yellow River in current day Henan Province.
Achievements: In the End the State of Shang was subjected by the neighboring Zhou State, a former client state of the Shang on it's North-Western Border. The Last Shang King, allegedly a cruel and wicked Ruler with a favorite concubine to match his character was beheaded at their Capital in current day Shaanxi Province. The Zhou would go on to expand their state eastwards to include territories in today's Hebei Province and south-ward to reach the Yangtse River Valley (Chang Jiang He). During the Rule of Chou the first round copper coins, with square holes in the middle for the use of putting them on a string to carry around, appeared.
Achievements: After conquering all other States, the last major opponent being Zhou, which was eliminated in 356 BC, the Warring State of Qin reigned supreme. After 35 years of mopping up around the vast territory and country,the King of Qin was crowned the First Emperor of China in 221 BC.
Ch'in Shi Huangdi (First Emperor of Chin), who's real name was Qin Ying Zheng (嬴政 yíng zhèng) (246 BC–210 BC) became the Legendary Emperor Ch'in, lending his name to the country of Chin-a.
Chin Shi Huangdi was a brutal militarist and strong ruler. One of the features of his reign was a strong government dictate and censorship. During the tyranny of the reign of Chin Shi Huangdi, many historic writings and Confucian teachings were put to the Flame, as they contradicted with official government line of the Time.
Libraries were burnt. The strictly legalist line of the new Empire strengthened government and military organization, but at a high cost to intellectual life. Many Confucian scholars that resisted, or secretly hid their scrolls, were put to death on Imperial Orders.
The largest burning of the books took place in the year 213 BC.
Han Dynasty 206 BC to 221 AD
The last Han emperor had to get rid of the eunuchs with the help of a military dictator.
Achievements: Development of early Silk-Road under Cover of the Great Wall of China and its protective Garrisons. Simultaneous establishment (emperor Wu Di) of first "Maritime Silk-Road" to Eastern-Arabia and further to the Mediterranean Basin. First linking of eastern and western cultures, world leader in shipbuilding, 1st economic Golden Age.
Paper was invented, a primitive seismograph was invented. Anesthesia was reportedly used for the first time during medical operations in China. The invention of a first primitive form of (wood) Block Printing was invented, making the copying of Official Communications into written word available to the Imperial Administrations. Use still presumed the skill of Literacy, which was a privilige still enjoyed by few. In addition to wood-block print copying the Han widely made use to the system of reprography using carved stone steles to reproduce pages of text
Three States Period (or Three Kindoms, the legendary era) 221 AD to 265 AD
The three kingdoms were Wei, Shu (Shu of Han) and Wu. No additional information
During the Tang Dynasty, around 700 AD, Chang' An was the largest City on Earth, counting over
1 million citizens. This was larger than Parallel civilizations in the Indus Valley and
the Americas.
The Tang Dynasty was established by General Li Yuan, who with help of his formidable Sons defeated the armies of the declining Sui Dynasty. Capturing the Capital City of the Sui Dynasty in 618 AD, Li Yuan then established the Tang Dynasty, becoming Emperor Tang Goazu. During the Tang Dynasty Chang An' (current day Xian) would remain the Capital of Han Chinese Culture and Empire.
The Tang Dynasty saw the Reign of the First and Only Female Emperor of China and the introduction of the Imperial Examination System which lasted through all succesive Dynasties untill 1905 AD.
The First years of the Tang Dynasty rule had to be spent consolidating the new Empire and mopping up remaining political opponents and rebels. After Li Shimin had usurped the Throne Emperor becoming Emperor Tang TaiZhong the Tang Dynasty armies marched for conquest, mainly against Turkic Tribes in the West.
Resulting Victories delivered a huge expansion of territory as well as an renewed opening of trade on what what would (much) later be dubbed the Silk Road.
The Five Dynasties (and Ten Kingdoms) 907 AD to 960 AD
Great influence of Court Eunuchs. The Song Dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu wrote an essay about the influence of eunuchs during the Five Dynasties. No additional information available.
Achievements: More information soon...
Liao Dynasty 907 AD to 1125 AD - Unified Reign 960 AD onwards
No additional information
Achievements: Invention of the Compass Needle in China - a magnetic needle floating on water.
In the Period between the 10Th and the 14Th Century AD, the Han Chinese State was repeatedly invaded from the North by a variety of Nomadic Tribes. After winning domination over rival Chinese Kingdoms in the period 907 AD to 960 AD, the Liao Dynasty was the first Dynasty in this period to deal with this renewed threat through a unified front.
The New States created by the invasions from the North into Chinese Territory were, just as the earlier Wei Dynasty State (386 AD-534 AD)(during Dynasties Period), by necessity a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural or multi-national states with their own power-sharing structure under a dominant conqueror.
During the Reign of the Liao Dynasty, the population was divided under Law into 2 distinct ethnic origins (Bloodline), who had their own separate rights and responsibilities. This was a break with the earlier Chinese Law System which divided population by its geographic location, which had the Empire divided into villages, districts, and King/Fiefdoms (jus Soli).
The two ethnic or cultural groups of the Liao Dynasty were first - the Han Chinese, then the Khitans and other Nomadic Tribes.
Under this new Law System ethnic groups were allowed their own rites,native traditions and traditional family laws and cultures, preserving the original identitities of the separate groups. Political tensions between ethnic groups were greatly reduced, allowing the Foreign Dominated States to survive and form a unified front against outside pressures.
This political system would (much) later be copied by the Manchu Ching Dynasty, who divided the Chinese State in 5 ethnic or cultural groups. First the Manchu, then following the Mongols, Khitans and the Tibetans, the Hui + Uygur (muslim) and other ethnic groups and last but not least the Han Chinese. The Ching Dynasty State attempted to balance the rights of all National Groups, however the Han Chinese would remain on the bottom end of rights and were politically discriminated against.
More information soon.
Song (Sung) Dynasty 960 AD to 1279 AD
No additional information
Achievements: Adaption of magnetic compass for Maritime Navigation. Bigger sea-going ships. "Invention"-development of Blue-and-White Porcelain. Invention of the movable type printing press in 1041 AD by Bi Sheng, the first such machine in the world. Sheng used a clay type of letterblock for his machine, which was easily produced but wore out or broke easily. Wang Zhen later developed the movable type printing further by using blocks carved from a durable type of wood. Eventually, invention of movable type metal printing press came about in 1234 during the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea by Chwe Yun-Ui.
A Foreign invasion of China by nomadic Mongol Tribes lead by the infamous Dhengis Khan. Capturing Beijing and eventually establishing the Yuan Dynasty, a Mongol Ethnic Power-structure accepting Chinese Culture and ways.
Capital City: Kanbalik ( later Beijing ) , HQ Dhenghis at Jade Island and Rounded City, now Beihai Park, Dongcheng District, Beijing in Hebei Province.
First European visit by Marco Polo and Moroccan Ibn Batutta, followed by Jesuit Missionaries.
Achievements: Impressive, if not stunning. Conquering largest world Empire in History, spanning the Eurasian Continent from Manchuria and Burma to Poland and Bulgaria, then part of the Roman Empire in Europe. Long Range maritime expeditions around "the world", including attempts to invade the Japanese main Islands and subdue them to Mongol-Chinese Rule. The invasions fail due to a Tropical Storms (Typhoons) that destroy the Mongol-Chinese Fleet in sight of Japan's shores and overwhelming numbers of Japanese Defenders. Chinese Trade blossoms and blue-and-white porcelain becomes famous throughout India, Asia, the Persian Gulf and North-East Africa.
Due to their own multi-ethnic origins as Nomads, the Rulers of the Yuan Dynasty knew a high level of religious tolerance unusual for Chinese Society. As a result Christianity, Islam as well as other foreign faiths were allowed to grow and blossom. Ethnic and Religious tolerance were strong contributors to social stability, however the Han were still discriminated against.
The Yuan Dynasty was the shortest of all Chinese Dynasties due to an inability to include Han Chinese into the powerstructure of the Empire. After losing its strong Military Leaders that demanded loyalty of the army, the Empire went into its decline. Although a successful period for Chinese Trade, Culture and even Science and Art, the Dynasty was not to last because it could not command loyalty of the Han Chinese Populace. Corruption, intrigue and then demands from powerful aristocratic families sealed the fate of the Yuan, after which a powergroup under Zhu YuanZhang managed to evict the near impotent Emperor from power in Beijing in 1368 AD. The Ming Dynasty, a Han Chinese Dynasty, was established. The remnants of the Yuan retreated back to Mongolia to remain as the Northern Yuan (Dynasty).
Exploration (1368 AD - 1465 AD). During these voyages active trade-routes and
communications are established with more than 30 countries and city-states in Asia, Arabia and (East-) Africa. During the first half of the 15Th Century Chinese maritime explorers under Admiral Zheng He reached as far south as Mozambique (1433 AD) in south-east Africa on their Tribute Trading Missions. In their final 6th and 7 th journeys in the 2nd half of the 15Th Century Zheng He's Trade expeditions reached Cape Agulhas (southern most point of Africa) and rounded the Cape of Good Hope (before 1459 AD - Fra Mauro Map) , extending Chinese Exploration into the South-Atlantic Ocean. After 1430 however, all Chinese Maritime Explorations had been halted by Imperial Decree (Hai Jin Edict) and China's economy declined under increasing attacks from Mongol Tribes in the North during ZhengTong reign. With increasing attention claimed by invading Mongol Tribes and an Imperial Ban on official sea-going trade China's great maritime expeditions end.
In 1449 AD, 6Th Ming Emperor , Zheng Tong attacked and captured by Mongol Cavalry at day's march from Beijing. Political crisis and Civil War in China as (half-brother) declares himself JingTai Emperor. ZhengTong reign recovered in 1457 AD. After 1457 AD massive repairs and construction on the Great Wall of China. - No additional information, yet.
Achievements: The Ming Dynasty Empire was the Worlds largest Economy of its Age. Most Powerful and largest Military Power
The "Gugong" Palace Museum - Better known as the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace during both Ming and Ching Dynasties. 24 Emperors lived and reigned from here. The Palace now a UN World Heritage site is open to the Public. Find a full and uniqueTour of The Palace and surrounding relics of the ancient Capital on this website.
Ming Dynasty Links -
* Chinese History - The Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 ) Online Sources
Dwell around the 40 square kilometer Ming Dynasty necropolis some 50 kilometers outside Beijing, a complex designed and built in the 15Th century Daoist-Confucianist style and home to the burial tombs of 13 of the total of 16 Ming Dynasty Emperors. Find out more about China's rich history, The Ming Dynasty and much more.
The Ming Tombs have been known as the Chinese Valley of the Kings. Short Introduction to the Ming Tombs available !
Capital City: Hao (on the western outskirts of current day Xian, Shaanxi Province)
The Zhou Dynasty and Empire were established at the end of the 12Th Century BC by King Wu. According to books and writings, King Wu was pious Man, a strict but just ruler to his Peoples. The region around two rivers, the Wei and the Jing Rivers was at the center of Zhou civilization. The Zhou further had a secondary Capital City located near the LuoYi (now Luo He (He=River), on the western bank near what is today LuoYang in Henan Province. The Jing and Wei River plains are relatively fertile, and along with the Yi-Luo Rivers plain they formed the heartland of Zhou and it's agricultural Base.
Achievements: As can be deduced from the rich Literature left from this period the Zhou Empire knows a centrally organized, strictly hierarchicaly organized aristocracy that supports the King. The State of Zhou is highly religious, practicing ancestor worship.
As an agricultural society the far majority of the people still lived on the land and not in cities. Cave dwellings (as still found today in Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces) were common. It was still an economy based on slavery rather than on Feudalism, which developed gradually during the Reign of the Zhou Dynasty.
The State of Zhou however knew many Cities. From these walled cities, home of the local lord who forms the apex of local aristocracy, the land is reigned. Underneath are large numbers of peasants that do most of the work. A tradition and system that would live on for millenia to come.
The Cities were the homes of the rich, prosperous and well to do. City homes, as well as the Imperial Court, were filled with crafted Bronzes, handicrafts and metal implements.
During the Zhou period Elite City Families, the aristocracy, further organized itself and the first law codes of Chinese History were written down.
Due to the success of walled cities, social organization and agricultural invention and reform, the population of cities and territories kept rising in number during the Zhou Dynasty, leading to new expansions of Territory. In the First centuries the Chou Empire expanded to the North and North-East leading to the inclusion of current day Hebei and Shandong Provinces. Later territories in today's Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province and Anhui Province were conquered as well.
In the Beginning of the Zhou Era the Centrally Organized State was administered through subjugate heriditary rulers (The Zhuhou) who were all members of Families closely alligned with and through family ties associated with the Zhou Royal Family. There was a council of the 12 most important Feudal Rulers, who regularly met in conferences to discuss the current affairs and military situation of the Zhou Empire. Important decisions concerning the fate of the Zhou Empire were decided in this council, naturally with endorsements from the Zhou King.
In 771 BC the Capital City of the Zhou State was attacked, pillaged and nearly raised to the ground by attacking Tribes, the Di from the West, forcing the Capital City to be moved south and east to safer LuoYang in Henan Province, marking the beginning of the Eastern Zhou (period). In the Eastern Zhou Period the Central Zhou King saw a considerably decreased authority over his subjugate rulers, leading to an Era of Civil War and Nationwide disaster.
Hidden Secrets and China's love & hate affair with the Forbidden City !
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Attila The Hun (406 AD - 453 AD) - scurge of China and the Western World ! Docu-Drama on the greatest conquerer of All Time !
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The Evil Empress-Dowager Cixi and Drama in the Forbidden City !
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of its Time in East-Asia and South-East Asia. Science, economy and military strength early Ming Dynasty culminating in the greatest age of maritime exploration in Chinese History. Kangnido Map 1402 AD depicting Mediterranean sea and Europe. Discovery of the (South-) Atlantic Ocean. During his 6th and 7th Voyage Admiral Zheng He explores the East-African Coast and reaches Africas southern most point. Invention of the Rudder on ships, practical use of magnetic compass and other naviagtion techniques (stars and celestial bodies, triangulation). Fast development of very large wooden sea-going ships, culminating in the largest in chinese and world history (around 160 meters). Zheng He navigational charts among earliest trans-oceanic navigational charts in world history. Maturity of Blue-and-White Porcelain and highpoint of international trade in porcelain. Later Ming Dynasty - large reconstruction and extension of Great Wall of China reaching to far western China (North Xinjiang). More information see below Links.
