Timeline of Ancient China By mikehunt69420 551 BCE Birth of Chinese philosopher Confucius 221 BCE The first emperor of China is made Qin Shi Huangdi of the kingdom of Qin conquers more kingdoms and becomes the first emperor of China. Work begins on the Great Wall of China. 210 BCE The death of Qin Shi Huangdi Period: 202 BCE to 220 BCE Rise of the Han dynasty Jan 1, 750 The Chinese invent block printing