Dates
Dynasty
ca. 21st-16th century B.C.
Xia
1700-1027 B.C.
Shang
1027-771 B.C.
Western Zhou
770-221 B.C.
Eastern Zhou
770-476 B.C.
Spring and Autumn period
475-221 B.C.
Warring States period
221-207 B.C.
Qin
206 B.C.-A.D. 9
Western Han
A.D. 9-24
Xin (Wang Mang interregnum)
A.D. 25-220
Eastern Han
A.D. 220-280
Three Kingdoms (San Guo)
220-265
Wei
221-263
Shu
229-280
Wu
A.D. 265-316
Western Jin
A.D. 317-420
Eastern Jin
A.D. 420-588
Southern and Northern Dynasties
420-588
Southern Dynasties
420-478
Song
479-501
Qi
502-556
Liang
557-588
Chen
386-588
Northern Dynasties
386-533
Northern Wei
534-549
Eastern Wei
535-557
Western Wei
550-577
Northern Qi
557-588
Northern Zhou
A.D. 581-617
Sui
A.D. 618-907
Tang
A.D. 907-960
Five Dynasties
A.D. 907-979
Ten Kingdoms
916-1125
Liao
960-1279
Song
960-1127
Northern Song
1127-1279
Southern Song
1038-1227
Western Xia
1115-1234
Jin
1279-1368
Yuan
1368-1644
Ming
1644-1911
Qing
Source: Based on information from China Handbook Editorial Committee, China Handbook Series: History (trans., Dun J. Li), Beijing, 1982, 188-89; and Shao Chang Lee, "China's Cultural Development" (wall chart), East Lansing, 1964.
Data as of July 1987