China has one of the world oldest continuous civilizations. This timeline covers the major dynasties.
Ancient China (2070 BC – 221 BC)
Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC) – Legendary first dynasty
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) – First written records, bronze work
Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) – Confucius, Laozi, Iron Age
Imperial China (221 BC – 1912 AD)
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) – First unified China, Great Wall begun
Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) – Silk Road, golden age
Tang Dynasty (618-907) – Cultural peak, poetry, Buddhism
Song Dynasty (960-1279) – Technology, porcelain, gunpowder
Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) – Mongol rule, Kublai Khan
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) – Forbidden City, Great Wall expansion
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) – Last dynasty, Manchu rule
Modern China
Republic of China (1912-1949)
People Republic of China (1949-present)