Chinese History Dynasty Lookup Table

1. Around the 14th century BCE, Pan Geng moved the capital to Yin; thereafter, the Shang dynasty became known as the Yin dynasty

2. 841 BCE (the first year of the Western Zhou Republic) marks the beginning of China’s precise chronological record

3. This period includes the “Xin” Dynasty established by Wang Mang (8–23 CE). During Wang Mang’s reign, large-scale peasant uprisings broke out, leading to the establishment of peasant-led regimes. In 23 CE, the Xin Dynasty under Wang Mang collapsed. In 25 CE, the Eastern Han Dynasty was established

4. During this period, several feudal regimes successively existed in northern China, including: Han (Former Zhao), Cheng (Cheng Han), Former Liang, Later Zhao (Wei), Former Yan, Former Qin, Later Yan, Later Qin, Western Qin, Later Liang, Southern Liang, Northern Liang, Southern Yan, Western Liang, Northern Yan, and Xia. Historically, these are collectively known as the “Sixteen Kingdoms.”

5. During this period, in addition to the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou, several other feudal regimes successively existed, including: Wu, Former Shu, Wu-Yue, Chu, Min, Southern Han, Jingnan (Nanping), Later Shu, Southern Tang, and Northern Han. Historically, these are known as the “Ten Kingdoms.”