To understand contemporary China, one must look back into its past. As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China’s more than 5,000 years of history are not confined to textbooks and museums; they continue to offer living wisdom today. Its long history was shaped not only by emperors and legendary figures, but also by the countless ordinary people who have lived on this land.
From the complex political struggles during the Three Kingdoms period and the mysterious bronze artifacts unearthed at Sanxingdui, to the lasting influence of Confucianism, which continues to influence Chinese social values and ways of life, China’s history reveals the breadth of human experience, as the ancients learned about the natural world, overcame disaster, dealt with conflict, sought better lives, or simply live out their days while creating arts and poetry and forming philosophical ideas.
Whether it’s the tumultuous Warring States period, lost tales along the ancient Silk Road, crime and punishment in the Ming and Qing dynasties, or the sweeping transformation of modern China, our collection of stories from Chinese history is yours to explore.
A look back on China’s attempts to end imperial rule through political assassinations
Forget Mulan—ancient China’s most successful female military commander went undefeated in battle and earned honors for over 50 years
Wen Ting, the great-granddaughter of Republican Era-poet Wen Yiduo, talks about her great-grandfather’s cultural and emotional legacy
A history of Chinese marriage ads, from newspaper columns to matchmaking TV shows and mobile dating apps
As well as costing her an architecture degree, Lin Huiyin’s gender would lead many to focus on her looks and alleged love affairs over her groundbrea…
The campaign to replace traditional characters with a phonetic system reflected Chinese society’s desire for change during the 20th century
Discover the origin of Labor Day celebrations in China and how it became one of the country’s most important holidays
How Chinese ID cards evolved from simple handwritten cards in 1984, to sophisticated digital documents essential for everything from riding the train…
How China’s hotels transformed from exclusive spaces for the privileged to accommodation for the masses
Cao Cao, Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and other Three Kingdoms heroes fought over Jingzhou for decades
Reported sightings of the mythical creature have captivated people in China for centuries
Exploring the ancient Chinese obsession with carving messages and poems on rocks and walls
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