Possible start of Xia Dynasty, China's first dynasty - ending in c. 1600 BCE
Period: 1766 BCE to 1122 BCE
Start of the Shang Dynasty, during which a system of writing emerged and large cities were built ending in c. 1122 BCE
Period: 140 BCE to 140 BCE
The sixth Han emperor, Wu Di, commences rule. He will be best known for expanding the Chinese territory - under his rule, China doubles in size making it larger than the Roman Empire.
Period: 100 BCE to 100 BCE
The manufacture of steel begins in china
Period: 581 to Jan 1, 618
Start of Sui Dynasty ending in 618 CE
Period: Jan 1, 618 to Jan 1, 907
Start of the Tang Dynasty - ending in 907 CE
Period: Jan 1, 960 to Jan 1, 1279
Start of the Song Dynasty - ending in 1279 CE
Period: Jan 1, 1279 to Jan 1, 1279
Fierce nomadic people known as the Mongols gain of control of China
Period: Jan 1, 1368 to
Start of the Ming Dynasty which ends in 1644 CE
Period: to
Start of Quin Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty in China, and a period of rule by an ethnic minority in China known as the Manchu - Ending 1912