History
What was ancient China?
Quick answer
Ancient China was one of the world's oldest civilisations, growing along the Yellow River more than 3,500 years ago. It gave us paper, printing, silk, the compass and the Great Wall.
In one sentence
Ancient China was a long-lasting civilisation in East Asia whose rulers, thinkers and inventors shaped the world.
Explained
China's first cities grew along the Yellow River (Huang He), where the soil was rich for farming. Under the Shang dynasty, from around 1600 BCE, people wrote on animal bones and shells, which is where Chinese characters began. A dynasty is a family of rulers who pass power from one generation to the next. The Zhou dynasty followed, and then a time of fighting between states.
bridge
teapot
book
In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huang united the states and became the first emperor of China. He standardised writing, money and measurements. When he died he was buried near Xi'an with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, the Terracotta Army, which was discovered by farmers in 1974. The Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) came next. During Han times, paper was developed, and the Silk Road linked China to the west by trade routes across Asia. Silk, spices and ideas travelled along it.
The Great Wall was built in stages over many centuries, to protect the northern border. Most of the wall that you can visit today dates from the Ming dynasty, in the 1300s to 1600s. It is not one single wall but many sections.
Ancient China also gave the world the so-called Four Great Inventions: paper, printing, the compass and gunpowder. Farmers used iron ploughs, and craftsmen made fine silk, porcelain and bronze. Doctors used herbs and acupuncture. A philosopher called Confucius (about 551 to 479 BCE) taught ideas about respect, learning and good government that influenced life in China and elsewhere for over 2,000 years.
Chinese history is much longer than most people expect. China's culture is one of the oldest still continuing today. Compare it with other early civilisations, such as ancient Egypt and ancient Greece, and see where it lies in Asia.
Examples
| Invention or idea | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Paper | easier to write on than bone or silk |
| Printing | copying many books |
| Compass | helped sailors find direction |
| Silk | traded across the world |
| Great Wall | defence along the border |
Common mistakes
- "The Great Wall is one wall built at once." It was built in many stages.
- "You can see the Great Wall from space." It is long but narrow, and not visible to the naked eye from orbit.
- "Ancient China was isolated." Trade routes like the Silk Road connected it to others.
Quick quiz
Ancient China
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Question 1 of 4
Which river was central to early Chinese civilisation?
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