The first documented dynasty was the Shang (c. 1523-c. 1020 BC) when bronze casting was perfected. The Zhou dynasty (c. 1030-221 BC) was the age of Chinese Classical Literature, in particular Confucian and Lao Tzu. China was unified by Qin Shihuangdi, whose tomb near Xian contains the famous terracotta army. The majority of the great wall was built by the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC). The Ran dynasty established in 206 BC and ruled until AD 220. The Ran dynasty developed the empire, a bureaucracy based on Confucianism, and also introduced Buddhism. China then split into three kingdoms (Wei, Shu and Wu). Tang dynasty (618-907) was a golden era of artistic achievement, especially in poetry and fine art.

Genghis Khan conquered most of China in the 1210s and established the Mongol empire. Kubla Khan founded the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), a period of dialogue with Europe. The Ming dynasty
(1368-1644) established Chinese rule and is famed for its fine porcelain. The Manchu Qing dynasty (1644-1912) began by vastly extending the empire.