East Asian Timeline
The key dates of China, Korea and Japan: from ancient dynasties to modern transformations, three civilizations whose fates have intertwined for millennia.
China: 5,000 years of history
Xia Dynasty
Considered the first Chinese dynasty, the Xia dynasty (夏) marks the transition from tribal society to organized civilization. While its historical existence is still debated, it holds a foundational place in Chinese collective memory.
Shang Dynasty
Oracle bone script (甲骨文, jiǎgǔwén) appears on divination bones: the birth of Chinese writing. Bronze working reaches remarkable refinement.
Zhou Dynasty
The longest dynasty in Chinese history. Confucius (孔子, Kǒngzǐ) and Laozi (老子, Lǎozǐ) lay the foundations of Chinese philosophy. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven (天命, tiānmìng) emerges.
Qin Unification
Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) unifies China, standardizes writing, weights and measures. Construction of the Great Wall begins. Birth of the Chinese Empire.
Han Dynasty
Golden age of ancient China. Opening of the Silk Road (丝绸之路, Sīchóu zhī lù). Confucianism becomes state doctrine. Invention of paper.
Tang Dynasty
Cultural zenith: poetry, calligraphy, visual arts. Chang'an (長安) is the world's largest city. Cultural influence radiates across all of East Asia.
Song Dynasty
Age of inventions: compass, gunpowder, movable type printing. Rise of Neo-Confucianism. Landscape painting reaches unprecedented heights.
Yuan Dynasty (Mongol)
Founded by Kublai Khan (忽必烈), grandson of Genghis Khan. Marco Polo visits China. Theater (zájù, 杂剧) flourishes.
Ming Dynasty
Construction of the Forbidden City (紫禁城, Zǐjìnchéng). Zheng He's voyages. Blue-and-white porcelain reaches its peak.
Qing Dynasty (Manchu)
The last imperial dynasty. Maximum territorial expansion. The Opium Wars and Western humiliations mark the 19th century.
Republic of China
Fall of the last emperor Puyi (溥仪). Sun Yat-sen (孫中山) founds the Republic. Over 2,000 years of empire come to an end.
People's Republic of China
Mao Zedong (毛泽东) proclaims the People's Republic. Since Deng Xiaoping's (邓小平) reforms in 1978, China has become the world's second-largest economy.
Korea: the Land of the Morning Calm
Gojoseon
According to legend, Dangun (단군, 檀君) founds the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon (고조선). The myth of the son of the Sky God and the bear-turned-woman is central to Korean identity.
Three Kingdoms of Korea
Goguryeo (고구려) in the north, Baekje (백제) in the southwest and Silla (신라) in the southeast share the peninsula. Buddhism arrives and takes deep root. A period of rivalry and cultural flourishing.
Unified Silla
Silla unifies the peninsula with the help of Tang China. Gyeongju (경주) becomes a brilliant capital. Korean Buddhist art reaches its peak with Bulguksa Temple (불국사).
Goryeo Dynasty
The name "Korea" comes from Goryeo (고려). Invention of metal movable type printing, before Gutenberg. Korean celadon (청자, cheongja) is considered among the finest in the world.
Joseon Dynasty
King Sejong (세종대왕) creates hangul (한글) in 1443, one of the most scientifically designed writing systems in the world. Confucianism structures the entire society. Seoul becomes the capital.
Japanese Occupation
Japan annexes Korea. A period of cultural and political resistance. The Korean language is banned in schools. The March 1st Movement of 1919 (삼일운동, Samil undong) remains a symbol of resistance.
Division and the Korean War
At the end of World War II, the peninsula is divided at the 38th parallel. The Korean War (1950-1953) leaves the country devastated and permanently split in two.
The Korean Miracle
South Korea experiences meteoric economic growth (한강의 기적, "Miracle on the Han River"). Today, the hallyu (한류) wave carries Korean culture worldwide: K-pop, K-drama, cinema, gastronomy.
Japan: the Land of the Rising Sun
Jōmon Period
One of the world's oldest pottery cultures. The Jōmon people (縄文) were hunter-gatherers who created ceramics decorated with cord-mark patterns of surprising beauty.
Yayoi Period
Introduction of wet-rice farming from the continent. Bronze and ironworking appear. The foundations of Japanese agricultural society are established.
Asuka Period
Buddhism arrives in Japan via Korea. Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子) drafts the Seventeen-Article Constitution. The first major Chinese influence on Japanese culture.
Nara Period
Nara (奈良) becomes the first permanent capital. The Kojiki (古事記) and Nihon Shoki (日本書紀), Japan's earliest historical texts, are compiled.
Heian Period
Golden age of Japanese aristocratic culture. Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部) writes The Tale of Genji (源氏物語), considered the world's first novel. The kana (仮名) writing systems are born.
Kamakura Period
The first shōgunate (将軍) is established in Kamakura. Birth of the samurai (侍) warrior class. Zen Buddhism (禅) spreads and profoundly influences the culture.
Muromachi Period
Development of nō theater (能), the tea ceremony (茶道, sadō), ikebana (生け花) and Zen gardens. The Golden Pavilion (金閣寺, Kinkaku-ji) is built.
Edo Period
The Tokugawa shōgunate closes the country to the outside world (sakoku, 鎖国). 250 years of peace. Urban culture flourishes: kabuki (歌舞伎), ukiyo-e (浮世絵), haiku (俳句).
Meiji Restoration
Emperor Meiji (明治天皇) reclaims power. Lightning-fast modernization of Japan: industrialization, constitution, modern military. The country becomes a world power within decades.
Postwar Era
After the 1945 defeat, Japan rebuilds and experiences an economic miracle. Today, the country is a technological and cultural leader: manga, anime, video games, gastronomy.
China: 5,000 years of history
Xia Dynasty
Considered the first Chinese dynasty, the Xia dynasty (夏) marks the transition from tribal society to organized civilization. While its historical existence is still debated, it holds a foundational place in Chinese collective memory.
Shang Dynasty
Oracle bone script (甲骨文, jiǎgǔwén) appears on divination bones: the birth of Chinese writing. Bronze working reaches remarkable refinement.
Zhou Dynasty
The longest dynasty in Chinese history. Confucius (孔子, Kǒngzǐ) and Laozi (老子, Lǎozǐ) lay the foundations of Chinese philosophy. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven (天命, tiānmìng) emerges.
Qin Unification
Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) unifies China, standardizes writing, weights and measures. Construction of the Great Wall begins. Birth of the Chinese Empire.
Han Dynasty
Golden age of ancient China. Opening of the Silk Road (丝绸之路, Sīchóu zhī lù). Confucianism becomes state doctrine. Invention of paper.
Tang Dynasty
Cultural zenith: poetry, calligraphy, visual arts. Chang'an (長安) is the world's largest city. Cultural influence radiates across all of East Asia.
Song Dynasty
Age of inventions: compass, gunpowder, movable type printing. Rise of Neo-Confucianism. Landscape painting reaches unprecedented heights.
Yuan Dynasty (Mongol)
Founded by Kublai Khan (忽必烈), grandson of Genghis Khan. Marco Polo visits China. Theater (zájù, 杂剧) flourishes.
Ming Dynasty
Construction of the Forbidden City (紫禁城, Zǐjìnchéng). Zheng He's voyages. Blue-and-white porcelain reaches its peak.
Qing Dynasty (Manchu)
The last imperial dynasty. Maximum territorial expansion. The Opium Wars and Western humiliations mark the 19th century.
Republic of China
Fall of the last emperor Puyi (溥仪). Sun Yat-sen (孫中山) founds the Republic. Over 2,000 years of empire come to an end.
People's Republic of China
Mao Zedong (毛泽东) proclaims the People's Republic. Since Deng Xiaoping's (邓小平) reforms in 1978, China has become the world's second-largest economy.
Korea: the Land of the Morning Calm
Gojoseon
According to legend, Dangun (단군, 檀君) founds the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon (고조선). The myth of the son of the Sky God and the bear-turned-woman is central to Korean identity.
Three Kingdoms of Korea
Goguryeo (고구려) in the north, Baekje (백제) in the southwest and Silla (신라) in the southeast share the peninsula. Buddhism arrives and takes deep root. A period of rivalry and cultural flourishing.
Unified Silla
Silla unifies the peninsula with the help of Tang China. Gyeongju (경주) becomes a brilliant capital. Korean Buddhist art reaches its peak with Bulguksa Temple (불국사).
Goryeo Dynasty
The name "Korea" comes from Goryeo (고려). Invention of metal movable type printing, before Gutenberg. Korean celadon (청자, cheongja) is considered among the finest in the world.
Joseon Dynasty
King Sejong (세종대왕) creates hangul (한글) in 1443, one of the most scientifically designed writing systems in the world. Confucianism structures the entire society. Seoul becomes the capital.
Japanese Occupation
Japan annexes Korea. A period of cultural and political resistance. The Korean language is banned in schools. The March 1st Movement of 1919 (삼일운동, Samil undong) remains a symbol of resistance.
Division and the Korean War
At the end of World War II, the peninsula is divided at the 38th parallel. The Korean War (1950-1953) leaves the country devastated and permanently split in two.
The Korean Miracle
South Korea experiences meteoric economic growth (한강의 기적, "Miracle on the Han River"). Today, the hallyu (한류) wave carries Korean culture worldwide: K-pop, K-drama, cinema, gastronomy.
Japan: the Land of the Rising Sun
Jōmon Period
One of the world's oldest pottery cultures. The Jōmon people (縄文) were hunter-gatherers who created ceramics decorated with cord-mark patterns of surprising beauty.
Yayoi Period
Introduction of wet-rice farming from the continent. Bronze and ironworking appear. The foundations of Japanese agricultural society are established.
Asuka Period
Buddhism arrives in Japan via Korea. Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子) drafts the Seventeen-Article Constitution. The first major Chinese influence on Japanese culture.
Nara Period
Nara (奈良) becomes the first permanent capital. The Kojiki (古事記) and Nihon Shoki (日本書紀), Japan's earliest historical texts, are compiled.
Heian Period
Golden age of Japanese aristocratic culture. Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部) writes The Tale of Genji (源氏物語), considered the world's first novel. The kana (仮名) writing systems are born.
Kamakura Period
The first shōgunate (将軍) is established in Kamakura. Birth of the samurai (侍) warrior class. Zen Buddhism (禅) spreads and profoundly influences the culture.
Muromachi Period
Development of nō theater (能), the tea ceremony (茶道, sadō), ikebana (生け花) and Zen gardens. The Golden Pavilion (金閣寺, Kinkaku-ji) is built.
Edo Period
The Tokugawa shōgunate closes the country to the outside world (sakoku, 鎖国). 250 years of peace. Urban culture flourishes: kabuki (歌舞伎), ukiyo-e (浮世絵), haiku (俳句).
Meiji Restoration
Emperor Meiji (明治天皇) reclaims power. Lightning-fast modernization of Japan: industrialization, constitution, modern military. The country becomes a world power within decades.
Postwar Era
After the 1945 defeat, Japan rebuilds and experiences an economic miracle. Today, the country is a technological and cultural leader: manga, anime, video games, gastronomy.