Qin Shi Huangdi, the ruler of the Kingdom of Qin, conquers neighbouring kingdoms and becomes the first Emperor of China. Work begins on the Great Wall of China
210 BCE
Death of Qin Shi Huangdi
202 BCE
Rise of the Han Dynasty (until AD 220)
750
The Chinese invent block printing
1050
The Chinese invent moveable print
1092
The first mechanical clock, the Su Song clock, is built
1271
Marco Polo arrives in China
1279
The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
1368
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
1405
The first voyages of the great treasure fleet of Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He)
Discovery of the terracotta army guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi