(Mythical periods omitted)
The earlier dates given in the following Chronological Summary of Chinese Dynasties have been calculated backward by later historians from the lengths of the reigns and other data recorded in the current annals, and must consequently be taken as only approximate. It is not till the accession of Hsuan Wang (B.C. 822) that there is a general agreement. From this time downward the official Chinese dates are accepted by sinologues and Chinese scholars generally. Not in every case did the dynasties named below rule over the whole of China, but those named are regarded by the Chinese as legitimate.
The Three Early Dynasties (Feudal Period)
(Known as San Tai)
| Name of Dynasty | Number of Rulers | Duration of Dynasty |
| Hsia | Eighteen | B.C. 2205-1766 |
| Shang | Twenty-eight | B.C. 1766-1122 |
| Chou | Thirty-five | B.C. 1122-255 |
| Ch’in | Five | B.C. 255-206 |
| Western Han | Fifteen | B.C. 206-25 A.D. |
| Eastern Han | Twelve | A.D. 25-221 |
| Minor Han | Two | A.D. 221-265 |
| Western Chin | Four | A.D. 265-317 |
| Eastern Chin | Eleven | A.D. 317-420 |
Epoch of Division Between North and South
| Sung (Liu House) | Eight | A.D. 420-479 |
| Ch’i | Seven | A.D. 479-502 |
| Liang | Six | A.D. 502-557 |
| Ch’en | Five | A.D. 557-589 |
While the four above-named dynasties were ruling over southern China, the northern half of the country was under the domination of the Northern, Western, and Eastern Wei Dynasties (Tartar House of Toba), as well as of the Northern Ch’I and Northern Chou.
| Name of Dynasty | Number of Rulers | Duration of Dynasty |
| Sui | Four | A.D. 589-618 |
| T’ang* | Twenty-two | A.D. 618-906 |
Wu Tai (“Five Dynasties”)
| Posterior Liang | Two | A.D. 907-923 |
| Posterior T’ang | Four | A.D. 923-936 |
| Posterior Chin | Two | A.D. 936-947 |
| Posterior Han | Two | A.D. 947-951 |
| Posterior Chou | Three | A.D. 951-960 |
| Northern Sung | Twenty (with S. Sung) | A.D. 960-1126 |
| Southern Sung | Twenty (with N. Sung) | A.D. 1127-1279 |
| Yuan – Mongol dynasty | Twenty-five | A.D. 1280-1367 |
| Ming – Native dynasty | Seventeen | A.D. 1368-1643 |
| Ch’ing – (Ts’ing) – Manchu dynasty | Ten | A.D. 1644-1911 |
| Republic | 1912 |
*Between the overthrow of the T’ang Dynasty and the rise of the Mongol power, early in the thirteenth century, great portions of northern China were ruled over by the following Tartar dynasties: Liao (Khitan Tartars), 907-1125; Western Liao, 1125-1168; Kin (Nuchen Tartars), 1115-1234.
Source: The Kelekian Collection of Ancient Chinese Potteries
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