Jan 20, 1046 BCE
Battle of Muye
King Wu of Zhou (周武王, Zhōu Wǔwáng) defeated King Zhou of Shang (商纣王, Shāng Zhòuwáng), establishing the Zhou Dynasty and legitimizing it through the Mandate of Heaven (天命, tiānmìng).
Chronological Storyline (27 Milestones)
1042 BCE
Duke of Zhou's Regency
After King Wu's death, the Duke of Zhou (周公, Zhōu Gōng) served as regent, consolidating Zhou power, establishing rites, and laying the administrative foundations of the dynasty.
1039 BCE
Construction of Chengzhou
The Duke of Zhou built the eastern capital at Chengzhou (成周, Chéngzhōu, modern Luoyang) to control the eastern plains and house surrendered Shang nobles.
841 BCE
Gonghe Regency begins
Following the expulsion of King Li (周厉王, Zhōu Lìwáng), the Gonghe Regency (共和行政, Gònghé Xíngzhèng) began, marking the first precisely dated year in Chinese history.
Nov 1, 771 BCE
Fall of Haojing
Quanrong (犬戎, Quǎnróng) nomads sacked the Western Zhou capital Haojing (镐京, Hàojīng), killing King You (周幽王, Zhōu Yōuwáng) and ending the Western Zhou period.
771 BCE
Eastern Zhou established
King Ping (周平王, Zhōu Píngwáng) moved the capital to Luoyang (洛阳, Luòyáng), initiating the Eastern Zhou (东周, Dōng Zhōu) era and the Spring and Autumn period (春秋时期, Chūnqiū Shíqī).
770 BCE
Spring Autumn Period (春秋时代)
The Spring and Autumn period (c. 770 – c. 481 BCE[1][a]) was a period in Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou (c. 771 – 256 BCE). The period's name[b] derives from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 and 481 BCE, which tradition associates with Confucius (551–479 BCE). Source:
685 BCE
Duke Huan of Qi rises
Duke Huan of Qi (齐桓公, Qí Huángōng) ascended, becoming the first Hegemon (霸主, bàzhǔ) with his minister Guan Zhong's (管仲, Guǎn Zhòng) economic and administrative reforms.
Sep 28, 551 BCE
Birth of Confucius
Confucius (孔子, Kǒngzǐ) was born in the state of Lu (鲁国, Lǔguó), later founding a philosophical school that profoundly shaped Chinese culture and governance.
536 BCE
Cast-bronze penal code
The state of Zheng (郑国, Zhèngguó) cast its penal laws on a bronze vessel (铸刑书, zhù xíngshū), marking a shift from aristocratic custom to written, public law.
506 BCE
Battle of Boju
Wu (吴国, Wúguó) general Sun Tzu (孙子, Sūnzǐ) led a devastating surprise attack that shattered the powerful state of Chu (楚国, Chǔguó), a pivotal military event of the era.
496 BCE
Sword of Goujian buried
The legendary Sword of Goujian (越王勾践剑, Yuèwáng Gōujiàn jiàn) was crafted for King Goujian of Yue (越王勾践, Yuèwáng Gōujiàn), renowned for its rust-proof properties.
475 BCE
Warring State period (战国时代)
The start of the Warring state period (according ot Sima Qian), largely corresponds to the second half of the Eastern Zhou period The term "Warring States period" comes from the Record of the Warring States, a work of history compiled during the early Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). Source:
453 BCE
Partition of Jin
The state of Jin (晋国, Jìnguó) was divided into Han (韩, Hán), Zhao (赵, Zhào), and Wei (魏, Wèi) by noble families, formally marking the transition to the Warring States period (战国时期, Zhànguó Shíqī).
440 BCE
Mozi founds Mohism
Mozi (墨子, Mòzǐ) established Mohism, advocating for universal love (兼爱, jiān'ài) and pacifism, directly challenging Confucian orthodoxy.
403 BCE
Zhou recognizes Three Jins
King Weilie (周威烈王, Zhōu Wēilièwáng) officially recognized Han (韩, Hán), Zhao (赵, Zhào), and Wei (魏, Wèi) as sovereign states, cementing the political fragmentation of the Warring States era.
361 BCE
Shang Yang's reforms
Shang Yang (商鞅, Shāng Yāng) implemented legalist reforms in Qin (秦国, Qínguó), establishing a meritocratic, militaristic state that prioritized agriculture and warfare.
356 BCE
Birth of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was born in Macedon, a figure whose later conquests would open Central Asian contacts with the Zhou-era Chinese sphere.
338 BCE
Shang Yang executed
Despite his successful reforms, Shang Yang (商鞅, Shāng Yāng) was executed by King Huiwen of Qin (秦惠文王, Qín Huìwénwáng), though his legalist framework remained intact.
316 BCE
Qin conquers Shu and Ba
Qin (秦国, Qínguó) annexed the Ba (巴, Bā) and Shu (蜀, Shǔ) states in the Sichuan Basin (四川盆地, Sìchuān Péndì), vastly expanding its resources and securing a strategic flank against Chu (楚国, Chǔguó). )
314 BCE
Yan capital sacked by Qi
The state of Qi (齐国, Qíguó) invaded and sacked the capital of Yan (燕国, Yānguó), causing massive devastation that later prompted Yan's vengeful retaliation under Yue Yi (乐毅, Yuè Yì). )
307 BCE
King Wuling's cavalry reforms
King Wuling of Zhao (赵武灵王, Zhào Wǔlíng Wáng) adopted nomadic cavalry tactics (胡服骑射, húfú qíshè), revolutionizing Chinese warfare.
284 BCE
Battle of Jimo
Yan (燕国, Yānguó) general Yue Yi (乐毅, Yuè Yì) led a coalition that nearly destroyed Qi (齐国, Qíguó), but Qi general Tian Dan (田单, Tián Dān) used the 'fire oxen' tactic (火牛阵, huǒ niú zhèn) to lift the siege of Jimo (即墨, Jímò).
278 BCE
Qu Yuan drowns in Miluo
Poet Qu Yuan (屈原, Qū Yuán) drowned himself in despair after Chu's (楚国, Chǔguó) capital Ying (郢, Yǐng) was captured by Qin (秦国, Qínguó), inspiring the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔ Jié).
Jul 1, 260 BCE
Battle of Changping
Qin (秦国, Qínguó) general Bai Qi (白起, Bái Qǐ) defeated Zhao (赵国, Zhàoguó), burying 400,000 surrendered soldiers alive, a devastating blow that crippled Zhao's power.
256 BCE
Fall of King Nan of Zhou
King Nan of Zhou (周赧王, Zhōu Nǎnwáng) died after Qin (秦国, Qínguó) captured his remaining territory, officially ending the Zhou Dynasty.
249 BCE
Duke of Zhou lineage ended
Qin (秦国, Qínguó) abolished the puppet state of West Zhou (西周国, Xī Zhōu Guó), extinguishing the last royal descendants of the Duke of Zhou and erasing Zhou's political identity.