This is an overview of Chinese history and culture through the Song Dynasty (13th century).

1. China through the Song Dynasty
(13th Century)

3. A Creation Myth

4. Pangu Holding the Sun and the Moon

7. The Xia Dynasty
2100-1600 BCE

9. King Yu the Great
Ma Lin, 13th c.

10. The Shang Dynasty
c. 1600-1046 BCE

12. Silk Worm Pupa Pendant, 13th-10th c. BCE

13. Oracle Bone

15. Jade Buffalo, 13th-11th c. BCE

16. Monster Mask (Taotie) Pendant, Shang Period

17. Ancestor Worship

18. Ritual Food Vessel (Fangding) 12th-11th c. BCE

19. Ritual Wine Server (Gong), c. 1100 BCE

20. Ritual Wine Cup (Zun), Shang Period

21. Ritual Wine Containers (Hu), 9th-8th c. BCE

22. Ritual Food Dish (Fu), 6th c. BCE

23. Ritual Food Container (Dui), c. 4th c. BCE

25. Bell, Early 5th c. BCE

26. The Tomb of Lady Fu Hao
Died 1200 BCE

27. Ivory Cup with Turquoise Inlay

28. Ritual Wine Container (Hu)

29. Ritual Wine Server

30. Ritual Wine Server (Gong)

31. Stone Ox

32. Jade Dragon

33. Jade Tigers

34. Jade Elephant

35. Jade Bird

36. Jade Mantis

37. The Zhou Dynasty
1046-221 BCE

39. Confucius, Portrait from c. 1770

40. Laozi, Sculpture from 8th-11th c.

41. The Qin Dynasty
221-206 BCE

42. Qin Dynasty c. 206 BCE

43. Shi Huangdi Seeks the Elixir of Life

44. The Mausoleum of Emperor
Shi Huangdi
259-210 BCE

50. The Han Dynasty
206 BCE-220 CE

51. The Han Dynasty c. 220 CE

52. Han Gaozu (Liu Bang), ruled 206-194 BCE
18th-Century Portrait

53. Buddhism in China

54. Emperor Wu, Ruled 140-87 BCE

55. Emperor Wu Worshiping Statues of the
Buddha, 8th c. Fresco

56. White Horse Temple Founded by
Emperor Ming in 68 CE

57. Empress Ma (Mingde), 20-75 CE

58. Burial Practices

59. Jade Burial Suit, Han Period

60. Funerary Watch Tower, Han Period

61. Funerary Model: House, Han Period

62. Funerary Model: Animal Pen, 1st-3rd c.

64. Funerary Model: Pigsty and Latrines
1st c. BCE-1st c. AD

65. Funerary Model: Cow, Han Period

66. The Great Wall

78. The Tang Dynasty
618-907 CE

80. Tang Taizong (Li Shimin), Ruled 626-648

81. Chang’an (Xi’an)

85. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, 632 CE

86. Small Wild Goose Pagoda, 709 CE

87. Qianling Mausoleum, 706 CE
Murals Depicting Court Life

88. Chang’an City Walls and Towers

89. Palace Ladies in a Garden

90. Court Ladies

91. Attendants

92. Eunuchs

93. Courtiers Playing Polo

94. Foreign Ambassadors

95. Everyday Life

96. Horse with Female Rider, 7th c.

97. Saddled Horse, Early 8th c.

98. Woman with Mirror, Early 8th c.

99. Woman with Mirror, Early 8th c.

100. Camel, 723 CE

101. Camel, Tang Period

102. The Palace Banquet
Unknown Artist, 10th c.

104. The Leshan Giant Buddha
713-803

109. The Song Dynasty
960-1279 CE

111. Song Taizu, ruled 960-976
Portrait from c. 1000

112. Lingxiao Pagoda, Zhengding, 1045

113. Vase, Late 10th-Early 11th c.

114. Urn, Late 10th-Early 11th c.

115. Bowl, 11th c.

116. Vase, 12th c.

117. Vase, 12th c.