Tang Timeline

  • 220

    Collapse of the Han Dynasty

    The Han Dynasty collapsed in 220 A.D.
  • 400

    Fa Hsien explored India

  • 500

    Dark Ages

    In 500 A.D., the Chinese were in a period of chaos.
  • 589

    Unification of the Northern Kingdoms

    Sui Wendi, a ruler of Northern China, created a unified Northern Kingdom and created a central bureaucratic structure.
  • 600

    Husan Tsand explored India

  • 609

    Completion of the Canals

    Millions of people worked to complete the canals in 609 A.D.
  • 618

    Collapse of the Sui Dynasty

    Due to natural disasters, internal rebellion, and bankruptcy caused the dynasty to dissolved in 618.
  • 638

    Tang Taizong takes Wu Zhao as a concubine

    Tang Taizong takes the daughter of his favored supporter as a concubine. The daughter, whose name is Wu Zhao, was only 13 or 14 at the time.
  • 649

    Death of Tang Taizong

    Tang Taizong dies in 649.
  • 649

    Third Emporer, Gaozong

    The son of Tang Taizong, Gaozong, becomes emperor upon his fathers death.
  • 650

    Gaozong takes Wu Zhao as his own concubine

    Gaozong takes his fathers concubine, Wu Zhao, as his own concubine.
  • 655

    Wu Zhao is given the rank of Empress Consort

    Upon working her way up through the ranks, Gaozong gives Wu Zhao the title of Empress Consort.
  • 660

    Wu Zhao became ruler of China

    Gaozong suffered a stroke, and because of this Wu Zhao becomes the ruler of China.
  • 690

    Wu Zhao declares herself Empress of the Zhou Dynasty

    Wu Zhao removes her son from his position as leader and declares herself as the Empress of the Zhou Dynasty.
  • 700

    Tang Dynasty begins to collapse

  • 705

    Empress Wu Zhao is removed as empress

    Due to her age, Empress Wu Zhao is removed from her position as empress.
  • 755

    An-Lushan Rebellion overtakes the capital city, Chang'an

  • 800

    Confucianists feared that Buddhism in China was becoming too powerful

  • 907

    The Tang Dynasty collapses