c. 16th century BCE – c. 11th century BCE★★★★★
Shang dynasty rules the Yellow River valley
The Shang is the earliest Chinese dynasty confirmed by archaeology, leaving oracle-bone script and sophisticated bronzes.
DynastyCulture· China
Timeline
9 events16th century BCE
6th century BCE
- 551 BCE★★★★★
Birth of Confucius
Confucius, founder of Confucianism, is born in the state of Lu; his teachings shape East Asian culture for over two millennia.
BirthReligionCulture· China
8th century
- 701★★★★★
Birth of Li Bai
Li Bai, the 'Immortal Poet' and one of the greatest poets of the Tang dynasty, is born.
BirthArtCulture· China
9th century
- 868★★★★★
The Diamond Sutra is printed
A copy of the Diamond Sutra found at Dunhuang is the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world.
TechnologyReligionCulture· China
15th century
- 1428★★★★★
Lê Lợi defeats the Ming; Bình Ngô đại cáo
The Lam Sơn uprising triumphs over the Ming; Lê Lợi founds the Later Lê dynasty and Nguyễn Trãi writes the proclamation "Bình Ngô đại cáo".
WarDynastyCulture· Vietnam, China
20th century
- May 4, 1919★★★★★
May Fourth Movement
Beijing students protest the Paris Peace Conference's Shandong decision, sparking a wave of nationalism and cultural renewal.
PoliticsCulture· China - 1966 – 1976★★★★★
Cultural Revolution
Mao Zedong launches a decade-long political movement that brings social upheaval, persecution and the destruction of cultural heritage.
PoliticsRevolutionCulture· China - 1974★★★★★
Terracotta Army discovered
Farmers digging a well near Xi'an uncover thousands of terracotta warriors buried with Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum.
CultureArt· China
21st century
- August 8, 2008 – August 24, 2008★★★★★
2008 Beijing Olympics
Beijing hosts the Summer Olympic Games for the first time, opening on 8 August 2008.
Culture· China