 | The Xenophile Historian |
THE EMPERORS OF CHINA
Here is the chronology I currently use for Chinese history. Click on one of these links to jump to the period that interests you:
- Mythical & Legendary Times
- Formative Period
- The First Chinese Empire
- The Three Kingdoms
- Southern & Northern Dynasties
- The Second Chinese Empire
- The Third Chinese Empire
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| Red table: ruled only in the south. |
| White table: ruled only in the west. |
| Black table: ruled only in the north. |
| Blue table: ruled only in the east. |
Mythical & Legendary Times
Pangu
12 Heaven Kings
11 Earth Kings
9 Earth Kings
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
Traditional dates 2852-2205 B.C.
| Fuxi (sovereign) | 2852-2737 |
| Shennong (sovereign) | 2737-2697 |
| Huangdi (sovereign) | 2697-2597 |
| Shaohao (emperor) | 2597-2513 |
| Zhuanxu (emperor) | 2513-2435 |
| Gaoxin (emperor) | 2435-2365 |
| Zhidi | 2365-2356 |
| Yao (emperor) | 2356-2255 |
| Shun (emperor) | 2255-2205 |
The Xia Dynasty
Traditional dates 2205-1766 B.C.
| Yu | 2205-2197 |
| Qi | 2197-2188 |
| Tai Kang | 2188-2159 |
| Zhong Kang | 2159-2146 |
| Xiang | 2146-2079 |
| Shao Kang | 2079-2057 |
| Zhu | 2057-2040 |
| Huai | 2040-2014 |
| Man | 2014-1996 |
| Xie | 1996-1980 |
| Bu Jiang | 1980-1921 |
| Pian or Jiong | 1921-1900 |
| Li or Jin | 1900-1879 |
| Kong Jia | 1879-1848 |
| Bo or Gao | 1848-1837 |
| Fa | 1837-1818 |
| Jie | 1818-1766 |
The Formative Period
The Shang Dynasty
Traditional dates 1766-1122 B.C.
| Tang (the Perfect) | 1766-1736 |
| Wai Bing | 1760-1757 |
| Zhong Ren | 1757-1753 |
| Tai Jia | 1753-1720 |
| Wo Ding | 1720-1691 |
| Tai Geng | 1691-1666 |
| Xiao Jia | 1666-1649 |
| Yong Ji | 1649-1637 |
| Tai Wu | 1637-1562 |
| Zhong Ding | 1562-1549 |
| Wai Ren | 1549-1534 |
| He Dan Jia | 1534-1525 |
| Zu Yi | 1525-1506 |
| Zu Xin | 1506-1490 |
| Wo Jia | 1490-1465 |
| Zu Ding | 1465-1433 |
| Nan Geng | 1433-1408 |
| Yang Jia | 1408-1401 |
| Pan Geng | 1401-1373 |
| Xiao Xin | 1373-1352 |
| Xiao Yi | 1352-1324 |
| Wu Ding | 1324-1265 |
| Zu Geng | 1265-1258 |
| Zu Jia | 1258-1225 |
| Lin Xin | 1225-1219 |
| Geng Din | 1219-1198 |
| Wu Yi | 1198-1194 |
| Tai Ding | 1194-1191 |
| Di Yi | 1191-1154 |
| Zhou Xin (Di Xin) | 1154-1122 |
The Western Zhou Dynasty
Traditional dates 1122-771 B.C.
| Wu Wang | 1122-1115 |
| Cheng Wang | 1115-1078 |
| Kang Wang | 1078-1052 |
| Zhao Wang | 1052-1001 |
| Mu Wang | 1001-946 |
| Gong Wang | 946-934 |
| Yi Wang I | 934-909 |
| Xiao Wang | 909-894 |
| Yi Wang II | 894-878 |
| Li Wang | 878-841 |
| Gonghe regency | 841-827 |
| Xuan Wang | 827-781 |
| Yu Wang | 781-771 |
The Eastern Zhou Dynasty
770-255 B.C.
| Ping Wang | 770-719 |
| Huan Wang | 719-696 |
| Zhuang Wang | 696-681 |
| Xi Wang | 681-676 |
| Hui Wang | 676-651 |
| Xiang Wang | 651-618 |
| Qing Wang | 618-612 |
| Kuang Wang | 612-606 |
| Ding Wang | 606-585 |
| Jian Wang | 585-571 |
| Ling Wang | 571-544 |
| Jing Wang I | 544-520 |
| Dao Wang | 520-519 |
| Jing Wang II | 519-475 |
| Yuan Wang | 475-468 |
| Zhending Wang | 468-441 |
| Ai Wang | 441 |
| Si Wang | 441-440 |
| Kao Wang | 440-425 |
| Weilie Wang | 425-401 |
| An Wang | 401-375 |
| Lie Wang | 375-368 |
| Xian Wang | 368-320 |
| Shenjing Wang | 320-314 |
| Nan Wang | 314-255 |
| Dongzhou Jun | 255-249 |
The First Chinese Empire
The Qin Dynasty
255-207 B.C.
| Xiaogong | 361-337 |
| Huiwen Wang | 337-310 |
| Wu Wang | 310-306 |
| Zhaoxiang Wang | 306-250 |
| Xiaowen Wang | 250 |
| Zhuangxiang Wang | 250-246 |
| Zheng Wang | 246-221 |
| Qin Shihuangdi (formerly Zheng Wang) | 221-210 |
| Qin Er Shi | 210-207 |
| Qin San Shi | 207-206 |
The Western Han Dynasty
206 B.C.-9 A.D.
| Gaozu (Liu Bang before 202) | 206-195 |
| Lu Zhi (wife of Gaozu, also called Lu Hou or Gao Hou) | 195-180 |
| Huidi | 195-188 |
| Qianshao (Liu Gong) | 188-184 |
| Houshao (Liu Hong) | 184-180 |
| Wendi | 180-157 |
| Jingdi | 157-141 |
| Wudi | 141-87 |
| Zhaodi | 87-74 |
| Liu He | 74 |
| Xuandi | 74-48 |
| Yuandi | 48-33 |
| Chengdi | 33-7 |
| Aidi | 7-1 B.C. |
| Pingdi | 1 B.C.-6 A.D. |
| Ruzi | 6-9 A.D. |
The Xin Dynasty
206 B.C.-9 A.D.
| Wang Mang | 9-23 A.D. |
The Eastern Han Dynasty
25-220 A.D.
| Guangwu Di (Liu Xiu) | 25-57 |
| Mingdi | 57-75 |
| Zhangdi | 75-88 |
| Hedi | 88-106 |
| Shangdi | 106 |
| Andi | 106-125 |
| Shaodi | 125 |
| Shundi | 125-144 |
| Chongdi | 144-145 |
| Zhidi | 145-146 |
| Huandi | 146-168 |
| Lingdi | 168-189 |
| Shaodi (Liu Bian, the Prince of Hongnong) | 189 |
| Xiandi | 189-220 |
The Three Kingdoms
220-280 A.D.
Wei
| Wendi (Cao Pi) | 220-226 |
| Mingdi (Cao Rui) | 226-239 |
| Qiwang (Cao Fang) | 239-254 |
| Gaoguixiang Gong (Cao Mao) | 254-260 |
| Yuandi (Cao Huan) | 260-265 |
Wu
| Dadi (Sun Quan) | 220-252 |
| Kuai Ji Wang (Sun Liang) | 252-258 |
| Jingdi (Sun Xiu) | 258-264 |
| Wen Cheng Hou (Sun Hao) | 264-280 |
Shu
| Zhao Liedi (Liu Bei) | 220-223 |
| Hou Zhu (Liu Chan) | 223-263 |
Southern & Northern Dynasties
The Western Jin Dynasty
265-317 A.D.
| Wu Di (Sima Yan) | 265-290 |
| Hui Di | 290-307 |
| Huai Di | 307-313 (imprisoned after 311) |
| Min Di | 313-317 |
The Eastern Jin Dynasty
317-420 A.D.
| Yuan Di | 317-322 |
| Ming Di | 322-325 |
| Cheng Di | 325-342 |
| Kang Di | 342-344 |
| Mu Di | 344-361 |
| Ai Di | 361-365 |
| Fei Di | 365-372 |
| Jianwen Di | 372 |
| Xiaowu Di | 372-396 |
| An Di | 396-419 |
| Gong Di | 419-420 |
The Northern Wei Dynasty
386-535 A.D.
| Dao Wu Di (Touba Gui) | 386-409 |
| Ming Yuan Di | 409-423 |
| Tai Wu Di | 423-452 |
| Nan An Wang Di | 452 |
| Wen Cheng Di | 452-465 |
| Xian Wen Di | 465-471 |
| Xiao Wen Di | 471-499 |
| Xuan Wu Di | 499-515 |
| Xiao Ming Di | 515-528 |
| Youzhu (Yuan Zhao) | 528 |
| Xiao Zhuang Di | 528-530 |
| Chang Guang Wang | 530-531 |
| Jie Min Di | 531-532 |
| An Ding Wang | 531-532 |
| Xiao Wu Di | 532-535 |
The Early Song Dynasty
420-479 A.D.
| Wu Di (Liu Yu) | 420-422 |
| Shao Di | 422-424 |
| Wen Di | 424-453 |
| Xiao Wu Di | 453-464 |
| Qian Fei Di | 464-466 |
| Ming Di | 466-472 |
| Hou Fei Di | 472-477 |
| Shun Di | 477-479 |
The Southern Qi Dynasty
479-502 A.D.
| Gao Di (Xiao Dao Cheng) | 479-482 |
| Wu Di | 482-493 |
| Yu Lin Wang | 493-494 |
| Hai Ling Wang | 494 |
| Ming Di | 494-498 |
| Dong Hun Hou | 498-501 |
| He Di | 501-502 |
The Southern Liang Dynasty
502-557 A.D.
| Wu Di (Xiao Yan) | 502-549 |
| Jian Wen Di | 549-551 |
| Yu Zhang Wang | 551-552 |
| Yuan Di | 552-555 |
| Zhen Yang Hou | 555 |
| Jing Di | 555-557 |
The Eastern Wei Dynasty
534-550 A.D.
| Xiao Jing Di | 534-550 |
The Western Wei Dynasty
535-557 A.D.
| Wen Di | 535-551 |
| Fei Di | 551-554 |
| Gong Di | 554-557 |
The Northern Qi Dynasty
550-577 A.D.
| Wen Xuan Di | 550-559 |
| Fei Di | 559-560 |
| Xiao Jao Di | 560-561 |
| Wu Cheng Di | 561-565 |
| Hou Zhu (Gao Wei) | 565-577 |
| You Zhu (Gao Heng) | 577 |
The Western Liang Dynasty
555-587 A.D.
| Xuan Di | 555-562 |
| Xiao Ming Di | 562-585 |
| Xiao Jing Di | 585-587 |
The Northern Zhou Dynasty
357-581 A.D.
| Xiao Min Di | 557 |
| Ming Di | 557-560 |
| Wu Di | 560-578 |
| Xuan Di | 578-580 |
| Jing Di | 580-581 |
The Southern Chen Dynasty
557-589 A.D.
| Wu Di (Chen Ba Xian) | 557-559 |
| Wen Di | 559-566 |
| Fei Di | 566-568 |
| Xuan Di | 568-582 |
| Hou Zhu | 582-589 |
The Second Chinese Empire
The Sui Dynasty
581-618 A.D.
| Wendi (Yang Jian) | 581-604 |
| Yangdi (Yang Guang) | 604-618 |
| Gongdi (Yang You) | 617-618 |
| Gongdi (Yang Tong) | 618-619 |
The Tang Dynasty
618-907 A.D.
| Gaozu (Li Yuan) | 618-626 |
| Taizong (Li Shimin) | 626-649 |
| Gaozong | 649-683 |
| Zhongzong | 683-684 |
| Ruizong | 684-690 |
| Wu Zhao (Wu Zetian) | 690-705 |
| Zhongzong | 705-710 |
| Shang Di | 710 |
| Ruizong | 710-712 |
| Xuanzong | 712-756 |
| Suzong | 756-762 |
| Daizong | 762-779 |
| Dezong | 779-805 |
| Shunzong | 805 |
| Xianzong | 805-820 |
| Muzong | 820-824 |
| Jingzong | 824-827 |
| Wenzong | 827-840 |
| Wuzong | 840-846 |
| Xuanzong | 846-859 |
| Yizong | 859-873 |
| Xizong | 873-888 |
| Zhaozong | 888-904 |
| Ai Di (Zhaoxuan Di) | 888-907 |
The Five Little Dynasties
The Later Liang Dynasty
907-923 A.D.
| Taizu (Zhu Wen) | 907-912 |
| Zhu Yougui | 912-913 |
| Zhu Zhen | 913-923 |
The Later Tang Dynasty
923-936 A.D.
| Zhuangzong (Li Cúnxù) | 923-926 |
| Míngzong (Li Sìyuán) | 926-933 |
| Mindi (Li Cónghòu) | 933-934 |
| Mòdì (Li Cóngke) | 934-936 |
The Later Jin Dynasty
936-947 A.D.
| Gaozu (Shí Jìngtáng) | 936-942 |
| Chudì (Shí Chóngguì) | 942-947 |
The Later Han Dynasty
947-951 A.D.
| Gaozu (Liu Zhiyuan) | 947-948 |
| Yin Di (Liu Chengyou) | 948-951 |
The Later Zhou Dynasty
951-960 A.D.
| Tàizu (Guo Wei) | 951-954 |
| Shìzong (Chái Róng) | 954-959 |
| Gongdì (Chái Zongxùn) | 959-960 |
The Liao or Khitan Dynasty
907-1125 A.D.
| Taizu (Yelü Abaoji) | 907-926 |
| Taizong (Yelü Deguang) | 926-947 |
| Shizong (Yelü Ruan) | 947-951 |
| Muzong (Yelü Jing) | 951-969 |
| Jingzong (Yelü Xian) | 969-982 |
| Shengzong (Yelü Longxu) | 982-1031 |
| Xingzong (Yelü Zongzhen) | 1031-1055 |
| Daozong (Yelü Hongji) | 1055-1101 |
| Tianzuodi (Yelü Yanxi) | 1101-1125 |
The Northern Song Dynasty
960-1127 A.D.
| Taizu (Zhao Kuangyin) | 960-976 |
| Taizong | 976-997 |
| Zhenzong | 997-1022 |
| Renzong | 1022-1063 |
| Yingzong | 1063-1067 |
| Shenzong | 1067-1085 |
| Zhezong | 1085-1100 |
| Huizong | 1100-1126 |
| Qinzong | 1126-1127 |
Xixia (the Tangut Kingdom)
1032-1227 A.D.
| Jingzong (Li Yuánhào) | 1032-1048 |
| Yìzong (Li Liàngzuò) | 1048-1069 |
| Huìzong (Li Bingcháng) | 1069-1086 |
| Chóngzong (Li Qiánshùn) | 1086-1139 |
| Rénzong (Li Rénxiào) | 1139-1193 |
| Huánzong (Li Chúnyòu) | 1193-1206 |
| Xiangzong (Li Anquán) | 1206-1211 |
| Shénzong (Li Zunxu) | 1211-1223 |
| Xiànzong (Li Déwàng) | 1223-1226 |
| Mòdì (Li Xiàn) | 1226-1227 |
The Jin or Jurchen Kingdom
1115-1234 A.D.
| Tàizu (Wányán Aguda) | 1115-1123 |
| Tàizong (Wányán Wúqimai) | 1123-1135 |
| Xizong (Wányán Hélá) | 1135-1150 |
| Hailíngwáng (Wányán Dígunai) | 1150-1161 |
| Shìzong (Wányán Wulù) | 1161-1189 |
| Zhangzong (Wányán Jing) | 1189-1208 |
| Wèishàowáng (Wányán Yongjì) | 1208-1213 |
| Xuanzong (Wányán Xún) | 1213-1224 |
| Aizong (Wányán Shouxù) | 1224-1234 |
| Mòdì (Wányán Chénglín) | 1234 |
The Western Liao Dynasty (Qara Khitai)
1124-1218 A.D.
| Dezong (Yelü Dashi) | 1124-1144 |
| Gantianhou (Xiao Tabuyan, regent) | 1144-1151 |
| Rénzong (Yelü Yilie) | 1151-1163 |
| Chengtianhou (Yelü Pusuwan, sister of Rénzong) | 1163-1178 |
| Mozhu (Yelü Zhilugu) | 1178-1211 |
| Kuchlug Khan Naiman | 1211-1218 |
The Southern Song Dynasty
1127-1279 A.D.
| Gaozong | 1127-1162 |
| Xiaozong | 1162-1189 |
| Guangzong | 1189-1194 |
| Ningzong | 1194-1224 |
| Lizong | 1224-1264 |
| Duzong | 1264-1274 |
| Gongzong | 1274-1276 |
| Duanzong | 1276-1278 |
| Huaizong | 1278-1279 |
The Third Chinese Empire
The Yuan or Mongol Dynasty
1206-1368 A.D.
| Genghis Khan (Taizu) | 1206-1227 |
| Tuli (Renzong, regent) | 1227-1229 |
| Ogotai Khan (Taizong) | 1229-1241 |
| Töregene Khatun (regent) | 1241-1246 |
| Güyük Khan (Dingzong) | 1246-1248 |
| Oghul Ghaymish (regent) | 1248-1251 |
| Möngke Khan (Xianzong) | 1251-1259 |
| Kublai Khan (Shizu) | 1259-1294 |
| Chengzong (Temür Öljeytü Khân) | 1294-1307 |
| Wuzong (Qayisan Külüg) | 1307-1311 |
| Renzong (Ayurparibhadra) | 1311-1320 |
| Yingzong (Suddhipala Gege'en) | 1320-1323 |
| Jinzong (Yesün-Temür) | 1323-1328 |
| Tianshun Di (Arigaba) | 1328 |
| Wenzong (Jiyaghatu Toq-Temür) | 1328-1329 (first reign) |
| Mingzong (Qoshila Qutuqtu) | 1329 |
| Wenzong (Jiyaghatu Toq-Temür) | 1329-1332 (second reign) |
| Ningzong (Irinchibal) | 1332 |
| Huizong (Toghan-Temür) | 1332-1368 |
The Ming Dynasty
1368-1644 A.D.
| Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu) | 1368-1398 |
| Zhu Yunwen (Jianwen) | 1398-1402 |
| Zhu Di (Yongle) | 1402-1424 |
| Zhu Gaochi (Hongxi) | 1424-1425 |
| Zhu Zhangji (Xuande) | 1425-1435 |
| Zhu Qizhen (Zhengtong) | 1435-1449, first reign |
| Zhu Qiyu (Jingtai) | 1449-1457 |
| Zhu Qizhen (Zhengtong) | 1457-1464, second reign |
| Zhu Jianshen (Chenghua) | 1464-1487 |
| Zhu Youtang (Hongzhi) | 1487-1505 |
| Zhu Houzhao (Zhengde) | 1505-1521 |
| Zhu Houcong (Jiajing) | 1521-1567 |
| Zhu Zaihou (Longqing) | 1567-1572 |
| Zhu Yijun (Wanli) | 1572-1620 |
| Zhu Changluo (Taichang) | 1620 |
| Zhu Youjiao (Tianqi) | 1620-1627 |
| Zhu Youjian (Chongzhen) | 1627-1644 |
| Zhu Cilang (Yixing) | 1644 |
The Qing or Manchu Dynasty
1616-1912 A.D.
| Nurhachi | 1616-1626 |
| Hong Taiji (Abahai) | 1626-1643 |
| Shunzhi | 1643-1661 |
| Kangxi | 1661-1722 |
| Yongzheng | 1722-1735 |
| Qianlong | 1735-1796 |
| Jiaqing | 1796-1820 |
| Daoguang | 1820-1850 |
| Xianfeng | 1850-1861 |
| Tongzhi | 1861-1875 |
| Guangxu | 1875-1908 |
| Puyi (Xuantong) | 1908-1912 |
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