Chart of Chinese dynasties

Years run down the page. The first column is the line of dynasties that held the central plain; the columns beside it are the states and periods alongside. Hover over a block for its years.

2000 BCE1900 BCE1800 BCE1700 BCE1600 BCE1500 BCE1400 BCE1300 BCE1200 BCE1100 BCE1000 BCE900 BCE800 BCE700 BCE600 BCE500 BCE400 BCE300 BCE200 BCE100 BCE10020030040050060070080090010001100120013001400150016001700180019002000Xia 2070 BCE–1600 BCE, 471 years (21st–17th century BCE; years from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project)XiaShang 1600 BCE–1046 BCE, 555 years (17th–11th century BCE; years from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project)ShangWestern Zhou 1046 BCE–771 BCE, 276 years (11th century–771 BCE; first year from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project)Western ZhouEastern Zhou 770 BCE–256 BCE, 515 yearsEastern ZhouSpring and Autumn 770 BCE–476 BCE, 295 years (the first part of Eastern Zhou)Spring andAutumnWarring States 475 BCE–221 BCE, 255 years (to the Qin unification)Warring StatesWestern Han 202 BCE–9, 211 yearsWestern HanEastern Han 25–220, 196 yearsEastern HanWei 220–266, 47 years (Three Kingdoms)WeiShu Han 221–263, 43 years (Three Kingdoms)Shu HanWu 222–280, 59 years (Three Kingdoms)WuWestern Jin 266–316, 51 yearsWestern JinEastern Jin 317–420, 104 yearsEastern JinSixteen Kingdoms 304–439, 136 yearsSixteenKingdomsLiu Song 420–479, 60 years (Southern Dynasties)Liu SongSouthern Liang 502–557, 56 years (Southern Dynasties)Southern LiangNorthern Wei 386–535, 150 years (Northern Dynasties)Northern WeiNorthern Qi 550–577, 28 years (Northern Dynasties)Northern QiSui 581–619, 39 yearsSuiTang 618–907, 290 yearsTangLiao 916–1125, 210 years (Khitan)LiaoNorthern Song 960–1127, 168 yearsNorthern SongWestern Xia 1038–1227, 190 yearsWestern XiaJin 1115–1234, 120 yearsJinWestern Liao 1124–1218, 95 years (the Liao, moved west)Western LiaoSouthern Song 1127–1279, 153 yearsSouthern SongMongol Empire 1206–1260, 55 yearsMongol EmpireYuan 1260–1368, 109 years (ended the Southern Song in 1279)YuanMing 1368–1644, 277 yearsMingQing 1616–1912, 297 years (founded as Later Jin in 1616, named Qing in 1636, entered Beijing in 1644)QingQing 1616–1912, 297 years (founded as Later Jin in 1616, named Qing in 1636, entered Beijing in 1644)QingPeople's Republic of China 1949–, 77 years so farPeople'sRepublic ofChinaRepublic of China (Taiwan period) 1949–, 77 years so farRepublic ofChinaTaiwan periodQin 221 BCE–207 BCE, 15 yearsQinWestern Chu 206 BCE–202 BCE, 5 years (the Chu–Han contention)Western ChuXin 9–23, 15 years (Wang Mang)XinGengshi 23–25, 3 years (Xuan Han)GengshiSouthern Qi 479–502, 24 years (Southern Dynasties)Southern QiEastern Wei 534–550, 17 years (Northern Dynasties)Eastern WeiWestern Wei 535–557, 23 years (Northern Dynasties)Western WeiSouthern Chen 557–589, 33 years (Southern Dynasties)Southern ChenNorthern Zhou 557–581, 25 years (Northern Dynasties)Northern ZhouWu Zhou 690–705, 16 years (Wu Zetian's reign, breaking the Tang)Wu ZhouFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 907–960, 54 yearsFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsYuan 1260–1368, 109 years (ended the Southern Song in 1279)YuanNorthern Yuan 1368–1388, 21 years (the Yuan, withdrawn north)Northern YuanSouthern Ming 1644–1662, 19 years (the Ming, continued in the south)Southern MingRepublic of China (mainland period) 1912–1949, 38 yearsRepublic of China (mainland period)

Dynasties and years from Wikipedia's History of China template (in Chinese); the Xia, the Shang and the start of the Western Zhou from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project.

Dynasties by year

DynastyYearsLengthNote
Xia 2070 BCE–1600 BCE 471 years 21st–17th century BCE; years from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project
Shang 1600 BCE–1046 BCE 555 years 17th–11th century BCE; years from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project
Western Zhou 1046 BCE–771 BCE 276 years 11th century–771 BCE; first year from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project
Eastern Zhou 770 BCE–256 BCE 515 years
Spring and Autumn 770 BCE–476 BCE 295 years the first part of Eastern Zhou
Warring States 475 BCE–221 BCE 255 years to the Qin unification
Qin 221 BCE–207 BCE 15 years
Western Chu 206 BCE–202 BCE 5 years the Chu–Han contention
Western Han 202 BCE–9 211 years
Xin 9–23 15 years Wang Mang
Gengshi 23–25 3 years Xuan Han
Eastern Han 25–220 196 years
Wei 220–266 47 years Three Kingdoms
Shu Han 221–263 43 years Three Kingdoms
Wu 222–280 59 years Three Kingdoms
Western Jin 266–316 51 years
Sixteen Kingdoms 304–439 136 years
Eastern Jin 317–420 104 years
Northern Wei 386–535 150 years Northern Dynasties
Liu Song 420–479 60 years Southern Dynasties
Southern Qi 479–502 24 years Southern Dynasties
Southern Liang 502–557 56 years Southern Dynasties
Eastern Wei 534–550 17 years Northern Dynasties
Western Wei 535–557 23 years Northern Dynasties
Northern Qi 550–577 28 years Northern Dynasties
Southern Chen 557–589 33 years Southern Dynasties
Northern Zhou 557–581 25 years Northern Dynasties
Sui 581–619 39 years
Tang 618–907 290 years
Wu Zhou 690–705 16 years Wu Zetian's reign, breaking the Tang
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 907–960 54 years
Liao 916–1125 210 years Khitan
Northern Song 960–1127 168 years
Western Xia 1038–1227 190 years
Jin 1115–1234 120 years
Western Liao 1124–1218 95 years the Liao, moved west
Southern Song 1127–1279 153 years
Mongol Empire 1206–1260 55 years
Yuan 1260–1368 109 years ended the Southern Song in 1279
Ming 1368–1644 277 years
Northern Yuan 1368–1388 21 years the Yuan, withdrawn north
Qing 1616–1912 297 years founded as Later Jin in 1616, named Qing in 1636, entered Beijing in 1644
Southern Ming 1644–1662 19 years the Ming, continued in the south
Republic of China mainland period 1912–1949 38 years
People's Republic of China 1949– 77 years so far
Republic of China Taiwan period 1949– 77 years so far