Synopsis
Tracing Chinese civilization from its prehistoric origins to the fall of the Qing dynasty, this sweeping 100-part documentary explores the rulers, wars, philosophies, religions, cultural achievements and social transformations that shaped one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations. Through archaeological evidence, historical records and expert commentary, the series presents a chronological account of China’s dynasties, peoples and institutions across thousands of years of history.
Episodes
Season 11
China RoadAn introduction to the long development of Chinese civilization, tracing the ideas, institutions, cultural traditions and historical forces that shaped China’s distinctive path from antiquity to the end of imperial rule.45m2
The Earliest ChineseArchaeological discoveries reveal the prehistoric peoples who lived across ancient China and the gradual formation of communities, cultures and shared traditions that would contribute to later Chinese civilization.45m3
The Rise of AgricultureThe episode explores the origins of farming in ancient China, including the domestication of millet and rice, the growth of settled communities and the social changes produced by agricultural life.45m4
The Origins of CivilizationEarly cities, ritual centers, crafts and systems of social organization illuminate the transition from Neolithic cultures to complex civilization in the lands that became China.45m5
The Age of Early StatesCompeting regional societies developed fortified settlements, political hierarchies and ritual authority, laying the foundations for the earliest states recorded in Chinese history.45m6
The Xia DynastyArchaeology and ancient texts are examined in the search for the Xia, traditionally regarded as China’s first dynasty, with particular attention to the Erlitou culture and debates over its identity.45m7
The Rise and Fall of the Shang DynastyThe Shang dynasty emerges as a powerful Bronze Age kingdom before internal weakness and military defeat bring its rule to an end at the hands of the Zhou.45m8
Shang CivilizationOracle bones, bronze vessels, royal tombs and sacrificial practices reveal the political order, religious beliefs, warfare and artistic achievements of Shang civilization.45m9
King Wu's Conquest of ShangThe Zhou campaign against the last Shang king culminates in the Battle of Muye, establishing a new dynasty and introducing the enduring political idea of the Mandate of Heaven.45m10
The Regency of the Duke of ZhouServing as regent for the young King Cheng, the Duke of Zhou suppresses rebellion, consolidates Zhou rule and helps shape political and ritual institutions revered by later generations.45m11
The Decline of the Zhou Royal HouseThe authority of the Zhou kings weakens as regional lords grow more powerful, leading to the fall of the Western Zhou and the fragmented political order of the Eastern Zhou.45m12
The Struggle for Supremacy in the Spring and Autumn PeriodPowerful states and ambitious rulers compete for leadership while alliances, reforms and warfare transform the political landscape of the Spring and Autumn period.45m13
ConfuciusThe life and teachings of Confucius are explored, from his search for ethical government to the development of ideas about ritual, virtue, education and social responsibility.45m14
Reforms Among the Warring StatesRival states adopt sweeping military, administrative and economic reforms as rulers seek stronger governments and armies during an age of intensifying competition.45m15
The Seven Warring StatesThe seven major powers struggle for survival and supremacy through diplomacy, strategy and mass warfare, setting the stage for Qin’s eventual conquest of its rivals.45m16
The Hundred Schools of ThoughtPhilosophers including Confucians, Daoists, Mohists and Legalists offer competing answers to the disorder of their age, creating a rich intellectual legacy for Chinese civilization.45m17
The Rise of the State of QinPhilosophers including Confucians, Daoists, Mohists and Legalists offer competing answers to the disorder of their age, creating a rich intellectual legacy for Chinese civilization.45m18
Qin Shi Huang Unifies ChinaThe king of Qin conquers the rival states, becomes China’s First Emperor and imposes far-reaching systems of administration, law, measurement, writing and imperial control.45m19
The Chu-Han ContentionAfter the fall of Qin, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang battle for control of China in a dramatic civil war that ends with the founding of the Han dynasty.45m20
The Parallel System of Commanderies and KingdomsThe early Han balances centrally administered commanderies with semi-autonomous kingdoms, creating tensions that test the new dynasty’s ability to maintain unity.45m21
The Rule of Wen and JingEmperors Wen and Jing reduce taxes and state burdens, encourage recovery and strengthen the Han through cautious government, producing an era remembered for stability and prosperity.45m22
Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu expands Han power, confronts the Xiongnu, centralizes authority and promotes Confucian state ideology, while the costs of warfare place heavy demands on the empire.45m23
Confucian Learning During the Two Han DynastiesConfucian classics become central to education, scholarship and government as Han thinkers interpret ancient texts and establish traditions that influence imperial China for centuries.45m24
The Reign of Emperors Zhao and XuanFollowing Emperor Wu’s expensive campaigns, the Han court pursues recovery, administrative reform and more restrained government under Emperors Zhao and Xuan.45m25
Wang Mang's ReformsWang Mang seizes the throne and launches ambitious reforms intended to restore ancient institutions, but resistance, economic disruption and rebellion bring his Xin dynasty to collapse.45m26
The Restoration of Emperor GuangwuLiu Xiu reunifies the realm after years of rebellion, restores the Han dynasty as Emperor Guangwu and rebuilds imperial government from a new capital at Luoyang.45m27
The Silk RoadDiplomacy, conquest and long-distance trade connect Han China with Central Asia and lands farther west, carrying goods, technologies, religions and cultures across Eurasia.45m28
The Pure Critiques and the Partisan ProhibitionsScholar-officials criticize corruption and eunuch power at the Eastern Han court, provoking political purges that deepen factional conflict and weaken the dynasty.45m29
The Yellow Turban RebellionReligious movements, social distress and resentment of the Han government erupt into the Yellow Turban uprising, accelerating the breakdown of imperial authority.45m30
The Three KingdomsThe collapse of the Han gives rise to the rival states of Wei, Shu and Wu, whose rulers and generals compete through warfare, diplomacy and shifting alliances.45m31
Zhuge Liang Governs ShuAs chief minister of Shu Han, Zhuge Liang seeks to stabilize the state, improve administration, develop the southwest and pursue campaigns against the stronger kingdom of Wei.45m32
The Unification Under Western Jinhe Sima family replaces Wei, conquers Shu and Wu and briefly reunites China under the Western Jin before court conflict and rebellion undermine the dynasty.45m33
The Spirit of the Wei and Jin PeriodsAmid political turmoil, scholars and artists cultivate personal expression, philosophical debate and unconventional lifestyles that define the celebrated cultural spirit of the Wei and Jin.45m34
Rule by the Great Aristocratic ClansPowerful hereditary families dominate politics and society during the era of division, shaping court government, official appointments and relations between northern émigrés and southern elites.45m35
Emperor Wu of Liang's GovernmentEmperor Wu presides over a long reign marked by cultural patronage, Buddhist devotion and administrative ambition, but court weakness and rebellion ultimately devastate the Liang dynasty.45m36
Emperor Xiaowen's ReformsThe Northern Wei emperor moves the capital to Luoyang and promotes sweeping cultural and political reforms intended to integrate his dynasty with the traditions of the Central Plains.45m37
Emporer Wu of Northern ZhouEmperor Wu strengthens the Northern Zhou, curbs rival institutions and conquers Northern Qi, bringing northern China closer to reunification before his sudden death.45m38
The Rise and Fall of the Chen DynastyThe final southern dynasty struggles to preserve stability and independence until internal weakness and the military power of Sui bring the Chen dynasty to an end.45m39
Buddhism in the Wei and Jin PeriodsBuddhism spreads and adapts across a divided China, influencing philosophy, art, ritual and monastic life while becoming deeply rooted in Chinese society.45m40
The Restoration of UnityAfter centuries of division, Yang Jian founds the Sui dynasty, defeats rival regimes and reunifies China through centralized institutions and large-scale reconstruction.45m41
Emperor Yang of Sui: Achievements and FailuresEmperor Yang expands canals, capitals and imperial projects, but costly wars, forced labor and rebellion turn spectacular ambition into the rapid collapse of the Sui.45m42
The Reign of ZhenguanEmperor Taizong and his ministers establish a respected model of Tang government based on political consultation, military success, legal order and restrained rule.45m43
Empress Wu ZetianWu Zetian rises from imperial consort to become China’s only female emperor, using political skill, administrative reform and patronage to secure her extraordinary rule.45m44
The Prosperous Kaiyuan EraUnder Emperor Xuanzong, the Tang reaches a height of wealth, cultural achievement and international influence before complacency and court tensions threaten the flourishing empire.45m45
The An Lushan RebellionA frontier commander’s revolt plunges the Tang into years of war, causing immense destruction and permanently weakening central authority.45m46
The Predicament of the Middle and Late TangRegional military governors, eunuch influence, fiscal strain and court factionalism erode Tang power as the dynasty struggles to govern an increasingly divided empire.45m47
Chang'an: Metropolis of the WorldThe Tang capital is presented as a vast, cosmopolitan city where officials, merchants, diplomats, monks and travelers from across Asia meet.45m48
The Rise and Fall of the Tibetan EmpireThe Tibetan Empire expands across the plateau and Central Asia, alternately fighting and negotiating with Tang China before internal conflict brings its imperial power to an end.45m49
DunhuangThe oasis city of Dunhuang preserves the artistic and religious legacy of the Silk Road through its caves, manuscripts, murals and centuries of cultural exchange.45m50
The Tang Dynasty's Foreign RelationsEnvoys, merchants, monks and armies connect the Tang with neighboring states and distant regions, making the dynasty a central power in a broad Asian world.45m51
Religion During the Tang DynastyBuddhism, Daoism and foreign faiths flourish in Tang China, shaping art and society while also becoming entangled in debates over wealth, authority and state control.45m52
The Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsFollowing the Tang collapse, short-lived northern dynasties and competing southern kingdoms divide China until new political and military forces prepare the way for reunification.45m53
Emperor Taizu of SongZhao Kuangyin founds the Song dynasty, reunifies much of China and limits military power through institutions designed to place civil government above the generals.45m54
The Chanyuan TreatyAfter years of conflict, Song and Liao negotiate a landmark peace that stabilizes their frontier and creates a lasting diplomatic relationship between rival empires.45m55
Governing the Realm with the Scholar-OfficialsThe Song expands examinations, schools and civil administration, creating a government in which educated scholar-officials exercise unprecedented influence.45m56
Wang Anshi's ReformsWang Anshi introduces controversial policies to strengthen state finances, defense and rural society, dividing the Song court between reformers and their opponents.45m57
The Jingkang CatastropheJurchen armies capture the Northern Song capital and its emperors, ending the dynasty’s rule in the north and forcing the court to rebuild in the south.45m58
War and Peace Between Song and JinThe Southern Song and Jin alternate between fierce warfare and negotiated peace as each seeks security, legitimacy and control of the contested frontier.45m59
The Southern Song's Refuge in the SoutheastDriven from northern China, the Song establishes a new center in the prosperous southeast, where commerce, maritime activity and urban culture support a resilient dynasty.45m60
The Dreamlike Splendor of the Eastern CapitalThe bustling life of Northern Song Kaifeng is reconstructed through markets, festivals, entertainment and urban scenes immortalized in art and literature.45m61
Neo-Confucianism During the Song DynastySong thinkers reinterpret Confucian tradition through new discussions of morality, human nature and the cosmos, culminating in a philosophy that reshapes education and government.45m62
Song Dynasty CulturePrinting, scholarship, painting, literature, science and urban life illustrate the extraordinary cultural creativity of the Song era.45m63
The Rise of KhitanThe Khitan peoples unite under Abaoji, found the Liao dynasty and build an empire that combines steppe traditions with institutions suited to ruling agricultural lands.45m64
The Founding of Western LiaoAfter the fall of the Liao in the east, Yelü Dashi leads Khitan followers westward and establishes a powerful new state in Central Asia.45m65
Wanyan AgudaThe Jurchen leader Wanyan Aguda unites his people, rebels against Liao domination and founds the Jin dynasty, transforming the balance of power in northern China.45m66
The Rise and Fall of the Jin DynastyThe Jin conquers the Liao and Northern Song, rules a vast multiethnic realm and then faces internal strain and the devastating advance of the Mongols.45m67
Liao and Jin CultureThe cultural achievements of the Khitan Liao and Jurchen Jin reveal societies that blended their own traditions with the institutions, religions and arts of neighboring peoples.45m68
The Rise and Fall of Western XiaThe Tangut state builds a distinctive empire along the northwestern frontier, develops its own script and culture, and survives between powerful neighbors until the Mongol conquest.45m69
The Rise of the MongolsTemüjin unites the Mongol tribes as Genghis Khan and creates a military empire whose campaigns transform Eurasia and threaten every state in northern China.45m70
Kublai KhanKublai Khan completes the conquest of the Southern Song, establishes the Yuan dynasty and governs China as ruler of a vast, multiethnic Mongol empire.45m71
Imperial Progresses Between the Two CapitalsThe Yuan court moves seasonally between Dadu and Shangdu, reflecting the dynasty’s effort to balance steppe traditions with the administration of China.45m72
Phagpa, Imperial Preceptor of the Great YuanThe Tibetan lama Phagpa becomes an influential adviser to Kublai Khan, shaping Yuan religious policy and creating a new script intended for the empire.45m73
The Maritime Silk RoadPorts, ships and merchant communities link Yuan China to Southeast Asia, India and the wider Indian Ocean through a flourishing network of maritime trade.45m74
Marco Polo and ChinaThe celebrated traveler’s account provides a window into Yuan China while raising enduring questions about observation, memory and the transmission of knowledge between East and West.45m75
Emperor Shun of YuanThe last Yuan emperor confronts factional conflict, natural disasters, fiscal crisis and widespread rebellion as Mongol rule in China collapses.45m76
Zhu Yuanzhang, Founder of the Ming DynastyFrom impoverished beginnings and rebellion against the Yuan, Zhu Yuanzhang rises to found the Ming dynasty and creates an intensely centralized imperial state.45m77
The Yongle Emperor Moves the CapitalThe Yongle Emperor transfers the Ming capital to Beijing, constructs the Forbidden City and reshapes the political and strategic center of the empire.45m78
Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western OceansThe Ming court dispatches Zheng He’s enormous fleets across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, projecting imperial prestige through diplomacy, trade and maritime power.45m79
The Grand Secretariat SystemThe Ming grand secretariat evolves into a powerful coordinating institution, helping emperors manage the bureaucracy despite the dynasty’s formal rejection of the chancellorship.45m80
The Tumu CrisisA disastrous campaign against the Oirats ends with the capture of the Ming emperor, creating a succession crisis and exposing serious weaknesses in court and military leadership.45m81
Wang Yangming's Philosophy of MindThe philosopher Wang Yangming teaches that moral knowledge is rooted within the mind and must be united with action, challenging established interpretations of Neo-Confucian learning.45m82
Maritime Frontiers and Foreign Trade45m83
Zhang Juzheng's ReformsThe grand secretary Zhang Juzheng strengthens finances, administration and imperial authority through ambitious reforms, but his program faces reversal after his death.45m84
The Jesuits Come to ChinaJesuit missionaries enter late Ming China and build relationships through astronomy, mathematics, cartography and scholarship, opening a complex new era of cultural exchange.45m85
The Market Towns of JiangnanCommercial towns, specialized crafts and regional markets transform the prosperous Jiangnan region into one of the most dynamic centers of the late imperial economy.45m86
Silver CapitalThe influx and circulation of silver reshape taxation, trade and everyday life in Ming China, tying the empire more closely to emerging global economic networks.45m87
The Chongzhen EmperorThe final Ming emperor struggles against rebellion, fiscal collapse, factional conflict and external threats as the dynasty moves toward catastrophe.45m88
Entering and Ruling the Central PlainsThe Manchus cross the Great Wall, seize Beijing and begin the difficult process of conquering and governing China under the new Qing dynasty.45m89
The Consolidation of the Qing DynastyEarly Qing rulers suppress resistance, rebuild administration and adapt imperial institutions in order to secure their authority over a vast and diverse realm.45m90
The Recovery of TaiwanThe Qing defeats the Zheng regime in Taiwan and incorporates the island into the empire, reshaping maritime defense and cross-strait administration.45m91
The Great Enterprise of UnificationThrough warfare, diplomacy and frontier administration, the Qing expands and consolidates a multiethnic empire across Inner Asia and the Chinese heartland.45m92
The Grand CouncilCreated to handle urgent military affairs, the Grand Council develops into the Qing emperor’s most efficient instrument for confidential decision-making and centralized rule.45m93
Incorporating the Poll Tax into the Land TaxA major Qing fiscal reform merges head taxes with land taxes, simplifying collection and altering the relationship between population, property and state revenue.45m94
Civil Government and the Literary InquisitionsThe Qing sponsors scholarship and cultural projects while also prosecuting writings considered politically dangerous, revealing the close connection between learning and imperial control.45m95
Reluctant Self-StrengtheningAfter military defeats, Qing officials adopt Western weapons, industry and technical knowledge while attempting to preserve the dynasty’s traditional political and cultural foundations.45m96
The Opium WarCommercial conflict, opium smuggling and diplomatic confrontation lead to war with Britain, exposing Qing military weakness and beginning a new era of unequal foreign pressure.45m97
The Taiping Heavenly KingdomA vast religious rebellion establishes the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and wages a devastating civil war that transforms Qing politics, society and regional military power.45m98
The First Sino-Japanse WarConflict over Korea ends in a decisive Japanese victory, revealing the limits of Qing reform and triggering a profound crisis over China’s future.45m99
Reform and RevolutionIntellectuals, officials and activists pursue constitutional reform, modernization and revolution as the Qing struggles to respond to domestic crisis and foreign pressure.45m100
The End of Imperial RuleRevolution spreads across China, forcing the abdication of the last Qing emperor in 1912 and bringing more than two thousand years of imperial government to an end.45m
China RoadAn introduction to the long development of Chinese civilization, tracing the ideas, institutions, cultural traditions and historical forces that shaped China’s distinctive path from antiquity to the end of imperial rule.45m2The Earliest ChineseArchaeological discoveries reveal the prehistoric peoples who lived across ancient China and the gradual formation of communities, cultures and shared traditions that would contribute to later Chinese civilization.45m3The Rise of AgricultureThe episode explores the origins of farming in ancient China, including the domestication of millet and rice, the growth of settled communities and the social changes produced by agricultural life.45m4The Origins of CivilizationEarly cities, ritual centers, crafts and systems of social organization illuminate the transition from Neolithic cultures to complex civilization in the lands that became China.45m5The Age of Early StatesCompeting regional societies developed fortified settlements, political hierarchies and ritual authority, laying the foundations for the earliest states recorded in Chinese history.45m6The Xia DynastyArchaeology and ancient texts are examined in the search for the Xia, traditionally regarded as China’s first dynasty, with particular attention to the Erlitou culture and debates over its identity.45m7The Rise and Fall of the Shang DynastyThe Shang dynasty emerges as a powerful Bronze Age kingdom before internal weakness and military defeat bring its rule to an end at the hands of the Zhou.45m8Shang CivilizationOracle bones, bronze vessels, royal tombs and sacrificial practices reveal the political order, religious beliefs, warfare and artistic achievements of Shang civilization.45m9King Wu's Conquest of ShangThe Zhou campaign against the last Shang king culminates in the Battle of Muye, establishing a new dynasty and introducing the enduring political idea of the Mandate of Heaven.45m10The Regency of the Duke of ZhouServing as regent for the young King Cheng, the Duke of Zhou suppresses rebellion, consolidates Zhou rule and helps shape political and ritual institutions revered by later generations.45m11The Decline of the Zhou Royal HouseThe authority of the Zhou kings weakens as regional lords grow more powerful, leading to the fall of the Western Zhou and the fragmented political order of the Eastern Zhou.45m12The Struggle for Supremacy in the Spring and Autumn PeriodPowerful states and ambitious rulers compete for leadership while alliances, reforms and warfare transform the political landscape of the Spring and Autumn period.45m13ConfuciusThe life and teachings of Confucius are explored, from his search for ethical government to the development of ideas about ritual, virtue, education and social responsibility.45m14Reforms Among the Warring StatesRival states adopt sweeping military, administrative and economic reforms as rulers seek stronger governments and armies during an age of intensifying competition.45m15The Seven Warring StatesThe seven major powers struggle for survival and supremacy through diplomacy, strategy and mass warfare, setting the stage for Qin’s eventual conquest of its rivals.45m16The Hundred Schools of ThoughtPhilosophers including Confucians, Daoists, Mohists and Legalists offer competing answers to the disorder of their age, creating a rich intellectual legacy for Chinese civilization.45m17The Rise of the State of QinPhilosophers including Confucians, Daoists, Mohists and Legalists offer competing answers to the disorder of their age, creating a rich intellectual legacy for Chinese civilization.45m18Qin Shi Huang Unifies ChinaThe king of Qin conquers the rival states, becomes China’s First Emperor and imposes far-reaching systems of administration, law, measurement, writing and imperial control.45m19The Chu-Han ContentionAfter the fall of Qin, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang battle for control of China in a dramatic civil war that ends with the founding of the Han dynasty.45m20The Parallel System of Commanderies and KingdomsThe early Han balances centrally administered commanderies with semi-autonomous kingdoms, creating tensions that test the new dynasty’s ability to maintain unity.45m21The Rule of Wen and JingEmperors Wen and Jing reduce taxes and state burdens, encourage recovery and strengthen the Han through cautious government, producing an era remembered for stability and prosperity.45m22Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu expands Han power, confronts the Xiongnu, centralizes authority and promotes Confucian state ideology, while the costs of warfare place heavy demands on the empire.45m23Confucian Learning During the Two Han DynastiesConfucian classics become central to education, scholarship and government as Han thinkers interpret ancient texts and establish traditions that influence imperial China for centuries.45m24The Reign of Emperors Zhao and XuanFollowing Emperor Wu’s expensive campaigns, the Han court pursues recovery, administrative reform and more restrained government under Emperors Zhao and Xuan.45m25Wang Mang's ReformsWang Mang seizes the throne and launches ambitious reforms intended to restore ancient institutions, but resistance, economic disruption and rebellion bring his Xin dynasty to collapse.45m26The Restoration of Emperor GuangwuLiu Xiu reunifies the realm after years of rebellion, restores the Han dynasty as Emperor Guangwu and rebuilds imperial government from a new capital at Luoyang.45m27The Silk RoadDiplomacy, conquest and long-distance trade connect Han China with Central Asia and lands farther west, carrying goods, technologies, religions and cultures across Eurasia.45m28The Pure Critiques and the Partisan ProhibitionsScholar-officials criticize corruption and eunuch power at the Eastern Han court, provoking political purges that deepen factional conflict and weaken the dynasty.45m29The Yellow Turban RebellionReligious movements, social distress and resentment of the Han government erupt into the Yellow Turban uprising, accelerating the breakdown of imperial authority.45m30The Three KingdomsThe collapse of the Han gives rise to the rival states of Wei, Shu and Wu, whose rulers and generals compete through warfare, diplomacy and shifting alliances.45m31Zhuge Liang Governs ShuAs chief minister of Shu Han, Zhuge Liang seeks to stabilize the state, improve administration, develop the southwest and pursue campaigns against the stronger kingdom of Wei.45m32The Unification Under Western Jinhe Sima family replaces Wei, conquers Shu and Wu and briefly reunites China under the Western Jin before court conflict and rebellion undermine the dynasty.45m33The Spirit of the Wei and Jin PeriodsAmid political turmoil, scholars and artists cultivate personal expression, philosophical debate and unconventional lifestyles that define the celebrated cultural spirit of the Wei and Jin.45m34Rule by the Great Aristocratic ClansPowerful hereditary families dominate politics and society during the era of division, shaping court government, official appointments and relations between northern émigrés and southern elites.45m35Emperor Wu of Liang's GovernmentEmperor Wu presides over a long reign marked by cultural patronage, Buddhist devotion and administrative ambition, but court weakness and rebellion ultimately devastate the Liang dynasty.45m36Emperor Xiaowen's ReformsThe Northern Wei emperor moves the capital to Luoyang and promotes sweeping cultural and political reforms intended to integrate his dynasty with the traditions of the Central Plains.45m37Emporer Wu of Northern ZhouEmperor Wu strengthens the Northern Zhou, curbs rival institutions and conquers Northern Qi, bringing northern China closer to reunification before his sudden death.45m38The Rise and Fall of the Chen DynastyThe final southern dynasty struggles to preserve stability and independence until internal weakness and the military power of Sui bring the Chen dynasty to an end.45m39Buddhism in the Wei and Jin PeriodsBuddhism spreads and adapts across a divided China, influencing philosophy, art, ritual and monastic life while becoming deeply rooted in Chinese society.45m40The Restoration of UnityAfter centuries of division, Yang Jian founds the Sui dynasty, defeats rival regimes and reunifies China through centralized institutions and large-scale reconstruction.45m41Emperor Yang of Sui: Achievements and FailuresEmperor Yang expands canals, capitals and imperial projects, but costly wars, forced labor and rebellion turn spectacular ambition into the rapid collapse of the Sui.45m42The Reign of ZhenguanEmperor Taizong and his ministers establish a respected model of Tang government based on political consultation, military success, legal order and restrained rule.45m43Empress Wu ZetianWu Zetian rises from imperial consort to become China’s only female emperor, using political skill, administrative reform and patronage to secure her extraordinary rule.45m44The Prosperous Kaiyuan EraUnder Emperor Xuanzong, the Tang reaches a height of wealth, cultural achievement and international influence before complacency and court tensions threaten the flourishing empire.45m45The An Lushan RebellionA frontier commander’s revolt plunges the Tang into years of war, causing immense destruction and permanently weakening central authority.45m46The Predicament of the Middle and Late TangRegional military governors, eunuch influence, fiscal strain and court factionalism erode Tang power as the dynasty struggles to govern an increasingly divided empire.45m47Chang'an: Metropolis of the WorldThe Tang capital is presented as a vast, cosmopolitan city where officials, merchants, diplomats, monks and travelers from across Asia meet.45m48The Rise and Fall of the Tibetan EmpireThe Tibetan Empire expands across the plateau and Central Asia, alternately fighting and negotiating with Tang China before internal conflict brings its imperial power to an end.45m49DunhuangThe oasis city of Dunhuang preserves the artistic and religious legacy of the Silk Road through its caves, manuscripts, murals and centuries of cultural exchange.45m50The Tang Dynasty's Foreign RelationsEnvoys, merchants, monks and armies connect the Tang with neighboring states and distant regions, making the dynasty a central power in a broad Asian world.45m51Religion During the Tang DynastyBuddhism, Daoism and foreign faiths flourish in Tang China, shaping art and society while also becoming entangled in debates over wealth, authority and state control.45m52The Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsFollowing the Tang collapse, short-lived northern dynasties and competing southern kingdoms divide China until new political and military forces prepare the way for reunification.45m53Emperor Taizu of SongZhao Kuangyin founds the Song dynasty, reunifies much of China and limits military power through institutions designed to place civil government above the generals.45m54The Chanyuan TreatyAfter years of conflict, Song and Liao negotiate a landmark peace that stabilizes their frontier and creates a lasting diplomatic relationship between rival empires.45m55Governing the Realm with the Scholar-OfficialsThe Song expands examinations, schools and civil administration, creating a government in which educated scholar-officials exercise unprecedented influence.45m56Wang Anshi's ReformsWang Anshi introduces controversial policies to strengthen state finances, defense and rural society, dividing the Song court between reformers and their opponents.45m57The Jingkang CatastropheJurchen armies capture the Northern Song capital and its emperors, ending the dynasty’s rule in the north and forcing the court to rebuild in the south.45m58War and Peace Between Song and JinThe Southern Song and Jin alternate between fierce warfare and negotiated peace as each seeks security, legitimacy and control of the contested frontier.45m59The Southern Song's Refuge in the SoutheastDriven from northern China, the Song establishes a new center in the prosperous southeast, where commerce, maritime activity and urban culture support a resilient dynasty.45m60The Dreamlike Splendor of the Eastern CapitalThe bustling life of Northern Song Kaifeng is reconstructed through markets, festivals, entertainment and urban scenes immortalized in art and literature.45m61Neo-Confucianism During the Song DynastySong thinkers reinterpret Confucian tradition through new discussions of morality, human nature and the cosmos, culminating in a philosophy that reshapes education and government.45m62Song Dynasty CulturePrinting, scholarship, painting, literature, science and urban life illustrate the extraordinary cultural creativity of the Song era.45m63The Rise of KhitanThe Khitan peoples unite under Abaoji, found the Liao dynasty and build an empire that combines steppe traditions with institutions suited to ruling agricultural lands.45m64The Founding of Western LiaoAfter the fall of the Liao in the east, Yelü Dashi leads Khitan followers westward and establishes a powerful new state in Central Asia.45m65Wanyan AgudaThe Jurchen leader Wanyan Aguda unites his people, rebels against Liao domination and founds the Jin dynasty, transforming the balance of power in northern China.45m66The Rise and Fall of the Jin DynastyThe Jin conquers the Liao and Northern Song, rules a vast multiethnic realm and then faces internal strain and the devastating advance of the Mongols.45m67Liao and Jin CultureThe cultural achievements of the Khitan Liao and Jurchen Jin reveal societies that blended their own traditions with the institutions, religions and arts of neighboring peoples.45m68The Rise and Fall of Western XiaThe Tangut state builds a distinctive empire along the northwestern frontier, develops its own script and culture, and survives between powerful neighbors until the Mongol conquest.45m69The Rise of the MongolsTemüjin unites the Mongol tribes as Genghis Khan and creates a military empire whose campaigns transform Eurasia and threaten every state in northern China.45m70Kublai KhanKublai Khan completes the conquest of the Southern Song, establishes the Yuan dynasty and governs China as ruler of a vast, multiethnic Mongol empire.45m71Imperial Progresses Between the Two CapitalsThe Yuan court moves seasonally between Dadu and Shangdu, reflecting the dynasty’s effort to balance steppe traditions with the administration of China.45m72Phagpa, Imperial Preceptor of the Great YuanThe Tibetan lama Phagpa becomes an influential adviser to Kublai Khan, shaping Yuan religious policy and creating a new script intended for the empire.45m73The Maritime Silk RoadPorts, ships and merchant communities link Yuan China to Southeast Asia, India and the wider Indian Ocean through a flourishing network of maritime trade.45m74Marco Polo and ChinaThe celebrated traveler’s account provides a window into Yuan China while raising enduring questions about observation, memory and the transmission of knowledge between East and West.45m75Emperor Shun of YuanThe last Yuan emperor confronts factional conflict, natural disasters, fiscal crisis and widespread rebellion as Mongol rule in China collapses.45m76Zhu Yuanzhang, Founder of the Ming DynastyFrom impoverished beginnings and rebellion against the Yuan, Zhu Yuanzhang rises to found the Ming dynasty and creates an intensely centralized imperial state.45m77The Yongle Emperor Moves the CapitalThe Yongle Emperor transfers the Ming capital to Beijing, constructs the Forbidden City and reshapes the political and strategic center of the empire.45m78Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western OceansThe Ming court dispatches Zheng He’s enormous fleets across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, projecting imperial prestige through diplomacy, trade and maritime power.45m79The Grand Secretariat SystemThe Ming grand secretariat evolves into a powerful coordinating institution, helping emperors manage the bureaucracy despite the dynasty’s formal rejection of the chancellorship.45m80The Tumu CrisisA disastrous campaign against the Oirats ends with the capture of the Ming emperor, creating a succession crisis and exposing serious weaknesses in court and military leadership.45m81Wang Yangming's Philosophy of MindThe philosopher Wang Yangming teaches that moral knowledge is rooted within the mind and must be united with action, challenging established interpretations of Neo-Confucian learning.45m82Maritime Frontiers and Foreign Trade45m83Zhang Juzheng's ReformsThe grand secretary Zhang Juzheng strengthens finances, administration and imperial authority through ambitious reforms, but his program faces reversal after his death.45m84The Jesuits Come to ChinaJesuit missionaries enter late Ming China and build relationships through astronomy, mathematics, cartography and scholarship, opening a complex new era of cultural exchange.45m85The Market Towns of JiangnanCommercial towns, specialized crafts and regional markets transform the prosperous Jiangnan region into one of the most dynamic centers of the late imperial economy.45m86Silver CapitalThe influx and circulation of silver reshape taxation, trade and everyday life in Ming China, tying the empire more closely to emerging global economic networks.45m87The Chongzhen EmperorThe final Ming emperor struggles against rebellion, fiscal collapse, factional conflict and external threats as the dynasty moves toward catastrophe.45m88Entering and Ruling the Central PlainsThe Manchus cross the Great Wall, seize Beijing and begin the difficult process of conquering and governing China under the new Qing dynasty.45m89The Consolidation of the Qing DynastyEarly Qing rulers suppress resistance, rebuild administration and adapt imperial institutions in order to secure their authority over a vast and diverse realm.45m90The Recovery of TaiwanThe Qing defeats the Zheng regime in Taiwan and incorporates the island into the empire, reshaping maritime defense and cross-strait administration.45m91The Great Enterprise of UnificationThrough warfare, diplomacy and frontier administration, the Qing expands and consolidates a multiethnic empire across Inner Asia and the Chinese heartland.45m92The Grand CouncilCreated to handle urgent military affairs, the Grand Council develops into the Qing emperor’s most efficient instrument for confidential decision-making and centralized rule.45m93Incorporating the Poll Tax into the Land TaxA major Qing fiscal reform merges head taxes with land taxes, simplifying collection and altering the relationship between population, property and state revenue.45m94Civil Government and the Literary InquisitionsThe Qing sponsors scholarship and cultural projects while also prosecuting writings considered politically dangerous, revealing the close connection between learning and imperial control.45m95Reluctant Self-StrengtheningAfter military defeats, Qing officials adopt Western weapons, industry and technical knowledge while attempting to preserve the dynasty’s traditional political and cultural foundations.45m96The Opium WarCommercial conflict, opium smuggling and diplomatic confrontation lead to war with Britain, exposing Qing military weakness and beginning a new era of unequal foreign pressure.45m97The Taiping Heavenly KingdomA vast religious rebellion establishes the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and wages a devastating civil war that transforms Qing politics, society and regional military power.45m98The First Sino-Japanse WarConflict over Korea ends in a decisive Japanese victory, revealing the limits of Qing reform and triggering a profound crisis over China’s future.45m99Reform and RevolutionIntellectuals, officials and activists pursue constitutional reform, modernization and revolution as the Qing struggles to respond to domestic crisis and foreign pressure.45m100The End of Imperial RuleRevolution spreads across China, forcing the abdication of the last Qing emperor in 1912 and bringing more than two thousand years of imperial government to an end.45mCast
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