Dynasties

Chinese Dynasties Timeline
A quick, chronological look at Chinese history.

Unfinished page

The Chinese imperial system lasted from 2100 BC to 1911, 4,000 years in all. The history of the ruling houses in China and their emperors was complicated at times, with overlapping and competing dynasties, and some that were short-lived. This is a basic outline of only the most important dynasties.

Name
Chinese
Period
Xia (Hsia)
2100–1600 BC 
Shang
1600–1050 BC 
Zhou (Chou)
1050–256 BC 
Qin (Ch’in)
221–206 BC 
Han
206 BC–AD  220 
The Three Kingdoms
三國
220–280 
Jin (Chin)
265–420 
The Sixteen Kingdoms
十六國
304–439 
The Southern & Northern Dynasties
南北朝
420–589 
Sui
581–618 
Tang (T’ang)
618–907 
The Five Dynasties
五代十國
907–960 
Northern Song (Sung)
北宋
960–1127 
Southern Song (Sung)
南宋
1127–1279 
Liao
907–1125 
Jin
1115–1234 
Yuan (Yüan)
1271–1368 
Ming
1368–1644 
Qing (Ch’ing)
1644–1911 
The Republic of China (R.O.C)
中華民國
1912–49 
The People’s Republic of China (P.R.C)
中華人民共和國
1949– 

 

Read more about the history of Chinese cuisine
Chinese Food History Timeline