Throughout much of recorded history the Chinese have been the most technological, economically and culturally advanced. The word China in Chinese means “Middle Kingdom”, not only because it was geographically in the middle of the Middle East and South Asia with which they traded, but also because they were culturally universalistic. It produced many highly valued products that were exported to the West, first through the Silk Route and later across the oceans. It had more books than the rest of the world combined.

History of Shang Dynasty
Shang Dynasty is the first historic Chinese dynasty and ruled in the northeastern region of China properly.

History of Tang Dynasty
The glorious Tang Dynasty, the most populous city in the world at the time, Tang was known for many great achievements.

History of Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, and the use of iron was introduced to China during this time.

History of Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty is often called a "Chinese Renaissance" because of the progress in technology and inventions.

History of Qin Dynasty
Qin Emperor succeeded in unifying the country as one political entity and unifying the written language and system of weights and measures.

History of Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty was very strong militarily. Genghis Khan built a Mongolian empire, which extended all the way to Europe.

History of Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty is considered as one of the greatest periods in the entire history of China. Chinese people to this day still call themselves people of Han.

History of Ming Dynasty
Han people resumed their rule during the Ming dynasty. One distinction is the overseas expeditions led by Zheng He, a eunuch and confidante of the Ming Dynasty.

History of Three Kingdoms Periods; Jin Dynasty; Northern and Southern Dynasties; Sui Dynasty
The history of this period was written in the Record of Three Kingdoms. A novel The Romance of Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong, was based partly on the historical record. The novel is a very popular and exciting book for children and adults alike. It is a book of strategies, in war and in love affairs.

History of Qing Dynasty; The Republic of China
Qing emperors accepted the Han Chinese language as the official language and used the Han people to govern the country.

History of the People's Republic of China
On October 1, 1949, a grand ceremony inaugurating the People’s Republic of China.

Learn more about Chinese history, people and languages, please visit Why Study Abroad in China