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1600 BCE
What is Ancient China
Throughout most of China's history it was ruled by powerful families called dynasties. The first dynasty was the Shang and the last was the Qing. Ancient China also boasts the longest lasting empire in history. It began with the Qin dynasty and the first emperor Qin who united all of China under one rule in 221 BC. -
1600 BCE
Ancient china's Geography
The geography of Ancient China shaped the way the civilization and culture developed. The large land was isolated from much of the rest of the world by dry deserts to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and impassable mountains to the south. -
1600 BCE
Ancient china's Language
The notion of a single Chinese language is misleading. China has several major dialects which may be related but are all highly distinctive. Mandarin is the official spoken language and is known as Putonghua within China. -
1600 BCE
Ancient china's religion
Three major religions or philosophies shaped many of the ideas and history of Ancient China. They are called the three ways and include Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Taoism was founded during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century by Lao-Tzu. -
1600 BCE
The Yin Yang
According to tradition, the idea of two opposing but intertwined cosmic forces developed before 2000 b.c. The ancient notion underlies both Taoism and Confucianism, two of the major strands of Chinese philosophy and religion. The Japanese adopted Yin and Yang, calling them In and Yo. -
1600 BCE
Ancient china's economy
Ancient Chinese people traded salt, iron, fish, cattle, and silk.Silk was traded for goods and services – Silk route Through the famous Silk Route, they also traded externally: goods from China could wind up in Greece. At the eastern end of the route, the Chinese traded with people from India, providing -
1600 BCE
Why do Chinese like dragons?
Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it. -
1600 BCE
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty lasted from 1600B.C too 1046B.C. The Shang Dynasty was the 2nd Dynasty of china. -
1122 BCE
The Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou dynasty ruled China from 1122 BC to 256 BC.The Zhou followed the Shang dynasty. -
221 BCE
The Han Dynasty
What is the Han Dynasty known for?Western Han China's first imperial dynasty was the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC). The Qin unified the Chinese Warring States by conquest, but their empire became unstable after the death of the first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. Within four years, the dynasty's authority had collapsed in the face of rebellion.
