Dynasties in Chinese history

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History of China
ANCIENT

3 Sovereigns and 5 Emperors

Xia Dynasty 2100–1600 BC

Shang Dynasty 1600–1046 BC

Zhou Dynasty 1045–256 BC

Western Zhou

Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period
Warring States Period

IMPERIAL

Qin Dynasty 221 BC–206 BC

Han Dynasty 206 BC–220 AD

Western Han

Xin Dynasty

Eastern Han

Three Kingdoms 220–280

Wei, Shu & Wu

Jin Dynasty 265–420

Western Jin
16 Kingdoms 304–
439
Eastern Jin

Southern & Northern Dynasties 420–589

Sui Dynasty 581–618

Tang Dynasty 618–907

 ( Second Zhou 690–705 )

5 Dynasties &
Liao Dynasty
10 Kingdoms
907–1125
907–960

Song Dynasty
960–1279

Northern Song W. Xia

Southern Song Jin

Yuan Dynasty 1271–1368

Ming Dynasty 1368–1644

Qing Dynasty 1644–1911

MODERN

Republic of China 1912–1949

People's Republic Republic of China

of China (Mainland China) (Taiwan)
1949–present 1945–present

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The following is a chronology of the dynasties in Chinese history. In reality,

Chinese history is rarely as neat as it is described and it was rare indeed for one
dynasty to end calmly and give way quickly and smoothly to a new one. Dynasties
were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a
time after they had been defeated.

In addition, China was divided for long periods of its history, with different regions
being ruled over by different groups. At times like these, there was not any dynasty
ruling a unified China. As a case in point, there is much dispute about times in and
after the Western Zhou period. One example of the potential for confusion will
suffice:

The conventional date 1644 marks the year in which the Manchu Qing dynasty armies
occupied Beijing and brought Qing rule to China proper, succeeding the Ming
dynasty. However, the Qing dynasty itself was established in 1636 (or even 1616,
albeit under a different name), while the last Ming dynasty pretender was not disposed
of until 1662. The change of ruling houses was a messy and prolonged affair, and the
Qing took almost twenty years to extend their control over the whole of China. It is
therefore inaccurate to assume China changes all at once in the year 1644.
For more details on the dynasties listed here and their emperors, follow the relevant
links in the table. Click on H for the history of the dynasty, and E for a table of its
emperors (or other rulers).