Thursday, March 21, 2024

Chinese History

China is one of the oldest civilizations on this earth. This is, after all, the country that gave us Peking Man, who lived three-quarters of a million years ago. More realistically, the Chinese figure their civilization dates back just 5,000 years.

The Chinese base their history through the ages on dynasties, and generally consider the Xia Dynasty (2000 – 1200 BC) to be the first dynasty. The last dynasty was the Qing Dynasty which ended in 1911 when the youngster Pu Yi abdicated as the last emperor of China.

In decades past, China was considered a Third World country. No more. In the 21st century, it is emerging as a Super Power. To understand how China got to the point it is today, it is important to understand its past.

Yuan Dynasty History

Non-Chinese Mongols ruled China and ushered in many changes and reforms during their short-lived Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty was one of China’s shortest-lived dynasties....

The Revolt of An Lushan

History sometimes seems to be an inevitable process - but it was not. There were many occasions when a major change could have happened...

Chinese Cricket Fighting

How cricket fighting has entertained Chinese for many centuries - and how to tell whether your cricket will be a champion. No self-respecting Chinese mandarin...

The Impact of the Steppe Peoples

From the Cimmerians to the Manchus, the nomadic horse riders from the Asian Steppes have swooped down on the sedentary peoples of Europe and...

The 1911 Revolution and the Last Emperor of China

After nearly a century of foreign intervention, nationalist forces seized control of China from the Emperor and the Qing Dynasty. After years of foreign intervention...

Chinese Yin Yang Philosophy: Confucius, Lao Tzu and Bruce Lee

“Happiness is to be found by misery's side. Misery lurks beneath happiness. Who knows what either will come to in the end?” said ancient...

Chinese Furniture from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties

The later years of the Ming dynasty were a period of rising affluence among the elites of China following the austerity of earlier years....

Yuan – The Mongol Dynasty, 1279-1368

The reign of the Mongols over China was disastrous for the Chinese people. They finally threw out their oppressors – how did this come...

The Moon Festival and Its Moon Cakes

The Moon Festival is celebrated across Eastern Asia, though the most well-known celebration, at least in the Western world, seems to be that of...

The Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai

The Fairmont Peace Hotel was the brainchild of Sir Victor Sassoon, Anglo-Jewish real estate tycoon and visionary. Work on the Cathay Hotel (its original...