Around 500，000 years ago，there was human existence in Beijing area and they were named“Peking Man.”
Around 20，000 years ago，in the area where Peking Man existed，lived“Mountain-topCave Man”who were much more similar to the modern men.
Around 5，000 years ago，the Yellow Emperor united the tribes in China and was honored as the ancestor of the Chinese people.
Around 4，000 years ago，was the period of the alliance of tribes of Yao，Shun，and Yu in the legends.
Xia Dynasty（c.2070–c.1600 BC）
Around 2070 BC，Qi established the Xia Dynasty.This was the first dynasty in Chinesehistory.
Shang Dynasty（c.1600–c.1046 BC）
Around 1600 BC，Tang of Shang destroyed Xia and established Shang.
In the 14th century BC，Pangeng of Shang moved the capital to Yin，so the Shang Dynasty is also called Yin or Yin-Shang.
Western Zhou Dynasty（c.1046–771 BC）
Around 1046 BC，Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang and established Zhou.It is called Western Zhou by historians.
In 841 BC，Emperor Li of Zhou was driven away by the uprising people.Emperor Zhou and Empero Zhao held the government together which was called the“republic administration.”This year was called“the first year of the republic”and was regarded as the beginning of Chinese calendar.
Spring and Autumn Period（770–476 BC）
In 770 BC，Emperor Ping of Zhou moved the capital to Luoyi and marked the beginning of the Eastern Zhou.The Spring and Autumn Period begins.
In 551 BC，Confucius was born.
Warring States Period（475–221 BC）
In 356 BC，Shang Yang began to execute political reform in Qin.China gradually entered into feudal society.
In 316 BC，Ba and Shu were destroyed by Qin.The civilization of Ba-Shu began to blend into the Chinese civilization.
In 260 BC，Qin achieved the victory in the Changping Battle.General Bai Qi of Qin buried 400，000 Zhao soldiers alive.This battle established the foundation of Qin’s unification of the six states.
Qin Dynasty（221–206 BC）
In 221 BC，Qin unified the six states and established the first unified empire in Chinesehistory.
In 209 BC，the uprise of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang broke out.
In 207 BC，in the battle of Julu，Xiang Yu defeated the Qin troops.
In 206 BC，Liu Bang led his troops into Xianyang.The Qin Dynasty was overthrown.
Western Han Dynasty（202 BC–8 AD）
In 202 BC，Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and established the Han Dynasty.It is calledWestern Han by historians.
In 200 BC，Liu Bang was surrounded by the Huns at Mount Baideng.He was forced to execute the peace policy through marriage.
In 127 BC，Emperor Wudi of Han appointed Wei Qing to attack the Huns and seized the Hetao area.
In 121 BC，Emperor Wudi appointed Huo Qubing to attack the Huns and got through the Western Regions passage.
In 33 BC，Wang Zhaojun married Chief Huhanye of the Huns.
Eastern Han Dynasty（25–220 AD）
In 25 AD，Liu Xiu of the royal family of West Han re-established the Han Dynasty and set the capital in Luo Yang.It is called the Eastern Han by historians.
In 105 AD，Cai Lun improved the skill of paper making.Letter recording in China gradually broke away from the bamboo slip period.
In 184 AD，the uprise of the Yellow Turban Army broke out.The Eastern Han existed in name only.
In 200 AD，Cao Cao and Yuan Shao warred against each other in Guandu.Cao Cao won and gradually controlled the North.
In 208 AD，Cao Cao’s troops went for a decisive battle with the alliance of Sun andLiu in the Red Cliffs.Cao Cao was defeated and withdrew to the North.
Period of the Three Kingdoms（220–280 AD）
In 220 AD，Cao Pi overthrew Emperor Xian of Han and established Wei.In 221 AD，Liu Bei established Shu.
In 222 AD，Sun Quan established Wu.
In 263 AD，the Wei troops made a breakthrough in Chengdu and destroyed Shu.
In 265 AD，Sima Yan usurped the Wei throne and established Jin.It is called WesternJin by historians.
Western Jin（265–316 AD）
In 280 AD，Jin overthrew Wu.There was a short unified period in China.
In 316 AD，the Huns captured Chang’an and Western Jin was destroyed.
Eastern Jin（317–420 AD）
In 317 AD，Sima Yi of the royal family of Western Jin established Jin again.It is calledEastern Jin by historians.
In 353 AD，Wang Xizhi wrote the famous Preface for the Orchid Pavilion Poems.
In 383 AD，Eastern Jin went for a decisive battle in Fei River with Early Qin in North.Eastern Jin won and started the situation of lasting break-up of the North and the South.
Period of North and South Dynasties（420–589 AD）
In 420 AD，Liu Yu overthrew Eastern Jin and established Song.The South Dynasties began.
In 439 AD，Northern Wei unified the north.
In 524 AD，the Yungang Grottoes were finished.
Sui Dynasty（581–618 AD）
In 581，Yang Jian overthrew Northern Zhou and established Sui.
In 589，Sui destroyed Chen in the South and unified China again.
In 605，Emperor Yang of Sui ordered to excavate the Grand Canal.In 610，the GrandCanal was finished from Zhuojun in the North to Yuhang in the South.
In 618，Emperor Yangdi of Sui was killed by a general in Jiangdu and Sui ended.
Tang Dynasty（618–907 AD）
In 618，Li Yuan established the Tang Dynasty.