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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.

Qin Dynasty History

The Qin Dynasty was the first to unify China and Qin Shi Huang was China's first emperor. The history of the Qin Dynasty is...

The Dalai Lamas

In the fourteenth century, the concept of reincarnation began to become important in Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibet, as in other countries where Buddhism has...

Shanghai in the 1930s

In the 1930s Shanghai was the stuff of legend. It was a thriving commercial center, but also known for every kind of vice. The...

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 Sung Dynasty and Neo-Confucianism

After the collapse of the Tang Empire China came under the control of the Sung dynasty which is characterized by Confucian revival, often referred...

Drinking in the Tang Dynasty

Perhaps one of the most evocative images of Tang Dynasty China is that of the wine-drinking party, conducted by the light of moon and...

An Introduction to Chinese History

China is the most ethnically diverse country in the world: it has more ethnic minority people of more different types than any other...

Trade Conflicts Lead to the First Opium War

Commonly referred to as the First Anglo-Chinese War, the First Opium War took place between 1839 and 1842. The British Empire faced off against...

The Terracotta Army – Shihuangdi’s Amazing Legacy

The creation of the Terracotta Army, one of the most astonishing tourist attractions in the world, is examined and assessed. In 1974, farmers were digging...

Impact of the Russo-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese War was a conflict that pitted the Russian Empire against the Japanese Empire between February 10, 1904 to September 5, 1905. The...