Ancient China: A Timeline By Shuntaro Sato Period: 2200 BCE to 1800 Ancient China: A Timeline 2100 BCE Possible start of the Xia Dynasty, China's first dynasty, ending in c. 1600 BCE 1766 BCE Start of Shang Dynasty during which a system of writing emerged and large cities were built, ending in 1122 BCE 563 BCE Sidduhartha Gautama (Later known as Buddha) is born; his teaching will form the basics of Buddhism 481 BCE Start of Warring States period 221 BCE Start of Qin Dynasty 220 BCE Work on the Great Wall of China begins 206 BCE Start of Han Dynasty which expands China's territory 220 The Han Dynasty ends 690 Wu Zhao becomes Empress Regent 1271 Establishment of the Yuan Dynasty