8000 - 2205 BC: Early Chinese settlers build small villages and farm along the major rivers including the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Â
2696 BC: Rule of the legendary Yellow Emperor. His wife Leizu invented the process of making silk cloth. Â
2205 - 1575 BC: The Chinese learn how to make bronze. The Xia Dynasty becomes the first dynasty in China. Â
1570 - 1045 BC: Shang Dynasty Â
1045 - 256 BC: Zhou Dynasty Â
771 BC: End of the Western Zhou and beginning of the Eastern Zhou. The Spring and Autumn period begins. Â
551 BC: Philosopher and thinker Confucius is born. Â
544 BC: Sun Tzu the author of the Art of War is born. Â
500 BC: Cast iron is invented in China around this time. The iron plough was likely invented shortly after. Â
481 BC: End of the Spring and Autumn period. Â
403 - 221 BC: The Warring States period. During this time leaders from different areas were constantly fighting for control. Â
342 BC: The crossbow is first used in China. Â
221 - 206 BC: Qin Dynasty Â
221 BC: Qin Shi Huangdi becomes the first Emperor of China. He has the Great Wall of China built by extending and connecting existing walls to protect the people from the Mongols. Â
220 BC: The writing system of China becomes standardized by the government. Â
210 BC: The Terra Cotta Army is buried with Emperor Qin. Â
210 BC: The umbrella is invented. Â
206 BC - 220 AD: Han Dynasty Â
207 BC: The first Han Emperor, Gaozu, establishes the Chinese Civil Service to help run the government. Â
104 BC: Emperor Wu defines the Taichu calendar which will remain the Chinese calendar throughout history. Â
8 - 22 AD: The Xin Dynasty overthrows the Han Dynasty for a short period of time.
2 AD: A government census is taken. The size of the Chinese Empire is estimated at 60 million people. Â
105 AD: Paper is invented by Imperial court official Cai Lun. Â
208: Battle of Red Cliffs. Â
222 - 581: Six Dynasties Â
250: Buddhism is introduced to China. Â
589 - 618: Sui Dynasty Â
609: The Grand Canal is completed. Â
618 - 907: Tang Dynasty Â
868: Wood block printing is first used in China to print an entire book called the Diamond Sutra. Â
907 - 960: Five Dynasties Â
960 - 1279: Song Dynasty Â
1041: Moveable type for printing is invented. Â
1044: This is the earliest date that a formula for gunpowder is recorded. Â
1088: The first description of the magnetic compass. Â
1200: Genghis Khan unites the Mongol tribes under his leadership. Â
1271: Marco Polo begins his travels to China. Â
1279 - 1368: Yuan Dynasty Â
1279: The Mongols under Kublai Khan defeat the Song Dynasty. Kublai Khan establishes the Yuan Dynasty. Â
1368 - 1644: Ming Dynasty Â
1405: Chinese explorer Zheng He begins his first journey to India and Africa. He will establish trade relationships and bring back news of the outside world. Â
1405: The Chinese begin construction on the Forbidden City. Â
1420: Beijing becomes the new capital of the Chinese Empire replacing Nanjing. Â
1517: Portuguese traders first arrive in the country. Â
1644 - 1912: Qing Dynasty Â
1912: The Qing Dynasty comes to an end with the Xinhai Revolution.