China's Geography and Ancient Dynasties

• China's geography varies from plateaus and mountains in the west to lower lands in the east.
• The central-east region contains the deltas of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River.
• Other rivers include the Amur in the northeast, and the Pearl, Mekong, and Brahmaputra to the south.
• Chinese rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean.
• Grasslands are on the edges of the Inner Mongolian plateau to the north.
• Southern China is mainly hills and low mountains.
• Central China has a temperate climate, the south is subtropical, and the north has severe Arctic winters.

Ancient Era (Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties)

• Xia Dynasty: 2100-1600 BC
• Shang Dynasty: 1600-1046 BC, featured 31 kings and is the longest in Chinese history.
• Zhou Dynasty: 1122-256 BC
• The Zhou Dynasty was ruled by "THE SON OF HEAVEN," with the country divided into competing states.
• Spring and Autumn Period
• Warring States Period

Imperial Era (Qin to Qing Dynasties)

• Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Southern & Northern Dynasties, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms, Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty
• Qin Dynasty contributions include a centralized government, unified legal code, written language, measurement, and currency.
• Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty expanded the Chinese empire and initiated the Silk Road trade with the West.
• The Period of the Three Kingdoms was romanticized in works like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
• The Sui Dynasty reunified China and established institutions adopted by the Tang.
• The Tang Dynasty introduced the "Equal Field System".
• Chang'an (Xi'an) was the world's largest city.
• The Tang and Han periods are recognized as prosperous times.
• The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) featured political disunity.

Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

• In 960, the Song Dynasty gained control over most of China establishing its capital in Kaifeng, leading to economic prosperity
• China's first permanent standing navy was assembled in 1132 AD.
• Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty in Beijing, marking the first time the whole of China was ruled from there.
• Emperor Yong-le of the Ming Dynasty extended China's influence, built a large navy, created a standing army of 1 million, and expanded the Grand Canal
• The Great Wall underwent its last construction during the Ming Dynasty.
• During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi created a comprehensive Chinese dictionary.
• The Manchus established the "Eight Banners" system, emphasizing archery, horsemanship, and frugality.

Modern Era

• On October 1, 1949, with the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan was politically separated from mainland China and governed by the Republic of China.

Chinese Architecture

• Chinese architecture uses materials and techniques like pounded earth framing, bricks, and tile.
• Chinese homes have survived from antiquity, using archeological evidence.
• Key principles include orientation, layout, and symmetry.
• Houses typically face south.
• Feng-shui ("wind and water") influences building material choices and location, directing beneficial energy.
• Common materials are earth and wood.
• The "bay," defined by roof supports, is a basic unit.
• Houses usually have an odd number of bays (three or five).
• A courtyard dwelling is a common extension of the three-bay house.
• Courtyard houses are enclosed by buildings and walls, with limited outside openings.
• Courtyards often include a brick screen visible from the front gate.
• Room uses in a two-courtyard house: servant rooms near the entrance, cooking in the first courtyard, living space in the second, side rooms for sons/daughters, an inner hall, and the main building for parents.
• Courtyards appear in palaces and temples.

The Great Wall of China

• The Great Wall is a series of stone and earthen fortifications built from the 5th century BC to the 16th century to protect China's northern borders.
• Multiple walls were built over time.
• The wall built by Qin Shi Huang (220-200 BC) is farther north than the current Ming Dynasty wall, and little of it remains.