Chinese history begins with ancient civilizations that emerged along the Yellow River over four thousand years ago. Three foundational dynasties shaped early Chinese culture: the legendary Xia dynasty, the Bronze Age Shang dynasty, and the Zhou dynasty which introduced the Mandate of Heaven concept.
In two hundred twenty-one BCE, the Qin Dynasty achieved the first unification of China under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This dynasty standardized the writing system, unified currency and weights, built the Great Wall, and established the imperial system that would govern China for over two thousand years.
For over two thousand years, great dynasties ruled China in cycles of prosperity and decline. The Han dynasty established the Silk Road, the Tang was a golden age of culture, the Song brought technological innovations, the Ming built the Forbidden City, and the Qing was the last imperial dynasty.
The Qing Dynasty faced severe challenges in the nineteenth century, including internal rebellions, foreign invasions, and economic weakness. These pressures led to the dynasty's collapse in nineteen eleven, ending over two thousand years of imperial rule and establishing the Republic of China amid civil war and conflict.
To summarize Chinese history: it spans over four thousand years of continuous civilization, featured an imperial system lasting over two millennia, produced major world innovations, and transformed into modern China as a global power, demonstrating remarkable cycles of unity and renewal throughout its long history.