Chronology of Major Dynastic and Historical Periods

Xia (traditional dates 2070–1600 BCE)

Shang (ca. 1600–1046 BCE)

Zhou (1046–256 BCE)

Western Zhou period (1046–771 BCE)

Eastern Zhou (770–256 BCE)

Spring and Autumn period (722–476 BCE)

Warring States period (475–221 BCE)

Qin (221–206 BCE)

Han (206 BCE–220 CE)

Former (or Western) Han: 202 BCE–8 CE

Xin Interregnum: 9–25

Later (or Eastern) Han: 27–220

Three Kingdoms (220–65)

Wei (220–65)

Shu-Han (221–63)

Wu (222–80)

Jin 晉 (265–420)

Six Dynasties (Liuchao) (420–589)

Sui (581–618)

Tang (618–907)

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–79)

Liao (916–1125)

Song (960–1279)

Northern Song (960–1127)

Southern Song (1127–1279)

Jin 金 (1115–1234)

Xia (Xixia) (1038–1227)

Yuan (1271–1368)

Ming (1368–1644)

Ming reign eras:

Hongwu: 1368–98

Jianwen: 1398–1402(?)

Yongle: 1402–24

Hongxi: 1424–25

Xuande: 1425–36

Zhengtong: 1436–50

Jingtai: 1450–57

Tianshun: 1457–65

Chenghua: 1465–88

Hongzhi: 1488–1506

Zhengde: 1506–22

Jiajing: 1522–67

Longqing: 1567–73

Wanli: 1573–1620

Taichang: 1620

Tianqi: 1620–27

Chongzhen: 1627–44

Qing (1636–1912)

Note: In this chronology, dynastic dates and historical periods follow Wilkinson, Chinese History, 4–5 (tables 1 and 2). Because Xu Xiake frequently mentions them, the Ming dynasty reign names (nianhao) and dates are also included. These are based on Wilkinson, Chinese History, 885–86 (table 134).