Chinese History 历 史 Lì shǐ
Most countries can look back at a few hundred years of continuous recorded history; China looks back at thousands of years. From earliest times an accurate account of events has been treasured by the Chinese, this is embodied in the character 史 shǐ ‘history ’ which also has the meaning ‘impartial’ . Chinese people know their heritage well and have a long tradition of revering their ancestors . A good knowledge of Chinese history is essential to understanding and relating to its people.
We include pages on all the main dynasties as well as significant events in Chinese history, up to the foundation of the Republic in 1912 (modern history is in a separate section ), including the Taiping Rebellion , the coming of railways , the Imperial system , the Hanlin Academy , Imperial officials , the kowtow , and the Opium Wars . There are also pages covering relations with foreign countries: Early contacts with Britain , 18th century UK-China contacts and the great the European sinophile Leibniz , the Treaty port system , Chinoiserie , the Lay-Osborn debacle , and the despicable trade in Chinese coolies as slaves. We will continue to add new topics.
Click on the time chart on the left to go to a particular time period.
The Lay-Osborn Flotilla of 1862-63 History After China's defeat in the Opium Wars it is amazing that China then chose to buy a naval force from its former enemy Britain. Although boats were duly made, China refused to take delivery of them and Anglo-Chinese relations went into a further decline. Read more…
Song dynasty History The Song dynasty is a period of Chinese refinement and peace rather than military prowess. Great strides were taken in the creative arts and literature. Prosperity from the growing trade by sea rather than overland fueled the building of huge cities. The eventual conquest by the Mongol hordes brought the dynasty to a tragic close. Read more…
Traditional medicine in China Thousands of years of seeking cures to illness in China has led to a wide range of traditional medicines and procedures being discovered. Nowadays traditional medicine is used for minor ailments and when western medicine offers no solution. Read more…
Thu 14th JanAncient palace from over 5,000 ago A continuing archeological dig has pushed back the history of Chinese palaces by another 1,000 years.
Not so long ago it was considered that a complex settled civilization in China only went back about 3,000 years.
The latest discoveries at Shuanghuaishu in Henan province, it is just to the north of Zhengzhou near the Yellow River .
The remains found are hard to spot as they are mainly made of rammed earth, any stones would have been taken away and used in later buildings. A courtyard covering 8,611 sq feet [800 sq meters] has been found from over 5,000 years ago. which would have been in front of a royal palace. These remains predate the Xia dynasty (c.2100 - 1600BCE) and even before the birth of the Yellow Emperor (born c. 2718BCE)
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Archeological dig at Shuanghuaishu, Zhengzhou, photo credit href="https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202005/12/WS5eb9ee74a310a8b241154e84.html">China Dailyax>.
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Foreigners in China History China was exploited by foreign powers from the end of the Qing dynasty to the foundation of the PRC in 1949. The establishment of foreign enclaves within most Chinese cities one hundred years ago led to many frictions with the foreign powers, particularly Britain. The treaty port system forcibly opened up cities to foreign trade in late Qing dynasty China. Read more…
The illustrious Ming dynasty History The most famous Chinese dynasty is the Ming dynasty . China emerged from the Mongol conquest to become pre-eminent nation, with the greatest wealth, population and foreign trade of any nation. It was during the Ming dynasty that China achieved many accomplishments: a vast fleet sailed the seas and made many discoveries and an encyclopedia of all knowledge was distilled into 11,000 chapters. Read more…
Relations between Korea and China A history of the long and eventful history of Chinese relations with Korea. Chinese settlement first began two thousand years ago and at times since then China has intervened in Korean affairs, most recently in the Korean War 1950-53. Read more…
History Index - Qing Dynasty - Taiping Rebellion - Coolies - Railways - Treaty ports - Lay - Osborn - Opium Wars - Ming Dynasty - Ming Tombs - Yuan Dynasty - Mongol Conquest - Song Dynasty - Five Dynasties - Tang Dynasty - Empress Wu Zetian - Eunuchs - Officials - Sui Dynasty - Period of Disunity - Han Dynasty - Qin Dynasty - Warring States - Spring and Autumn - Zhou Dynasty - Early Dynasties - Emperor - Eunuchs - Officials - Foot binding - Kowtow - Hanlin academy - Early British contacts - Europe contacts 18thC - Macartney mission - Leibniz - Chinoiserie - Money - Torture