There is little known information discovered about the first dynasties of China. The Xia Dynasty, lasting from approximately 2070 to 1600BC, is presumed to be the first dynasty in ancient China following the end of its prehistoric age. Historians presume the the Xia dynasty consisted of a number of clans living along the Yellow river. However, most of the evidence given on this dynasty could possibly only be legend - including it's name.

1050 BC saw the Shang dynasty being conquered by the Zhou. This resulted in a great increase in Chinese Territory. It was at this point that philosophical ideas and philosophers would become more prominent. Confucianism was one of three major philosophies - along with Daoism and Legalism - that was established and founded during the Zhou Dynasty. According to historians, the Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting among all of China's Dynasties - lasting for over 800 years. During this period 37 different emperors had reigned. In 256 BCE, when the army of the state of Qin conquered the city of Chengzhou - the Zhou Dynasty ended.

The Han Dynasty is commonly regarded to as the golden age in Chinese history due to its long period of prosperity - the first empire to sustain unity and power in Chinese History. Historians divide the Han Dynasty into two periods - Western Han from 206BC to 9AD and Estern Han from 25 to 220AD. Although the Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty, the Han Dynasty was the longest reigning imperial dynasty of China. This meaning that while the Zhou Dynasty reigned over parts of China, the Han Dynasty was unified and ruled over all of China for over 400 years.

The Tang Dynasty was founded by the Emperor Li Yuan who was previously the governer of Taiyuan during the Sui Dynasty under the rule of Emperor Yang. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished and grew to become the periods dominant ideology. At the same time, art and literature also prospered and the Tang dynasty was considered the golden age for literature and art. The Tang Dynasty lasted for 274 years before Zhu Wen ended its reign in 907. The Tang Dynasty was suceeded by the Five Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms period.

The Song Dynasty was first ruled by Emperor Taizu, and had lasted from 960 to 1279AD. After the turbulent period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Song Dynasty is often accredited to re-unifying most of China once again. Like many other dynasties, the Song Dynasty had been divided into two periods by historians - the Northern Song period from 960 to 1127 and the Southern Song period from 1127 to 1279AD. During the Song Dynasty, the Shan Shui style of painting and Ci style of poetry developed and flourished - as well as the custom of foot binding.

In 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded with China entering under a communist government rule. At present, China upholds the worlds largest population with an estimate 1,338,612,968 people - and with the 1978 Reform and Opening Up policy, China has been delivered with phenomenal economic growth.