Ancient China By Wij0003 2100 BCE Possible start of Xia Dynasty (China's first dynasty) - ending in 1600 BCE 1766 BCE Start of Shang Dynasty, during which writing emerged and larged cities were build - ending in 1122 BCE 1122 BCE Start of the Zhou Dynasty, China's longest ruling dynasty - ending in 221 BCE 563 BCE Siddhartha Gautama (currently known as Buddha(, is born; his teachings will form Buddhism 551 BCE Chinese philosopher, teacher and author Confucius is born 221 BCE Start of the Qin Dynasty and the rule of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang - ending in 201 BCE 220 BCE The Great Wall of China is built 581 Start of the Sui Dynasty - ending in 618 618 Start of the Tang Dynasty - ending in 907 960 Start of the Song Dynasty - ending in 1279 1279 Mongols gain control of China 1368 Star of the Ming Dynasty - ending in 1644 1644 Start of the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty - ending in 1912