history of China: Quick Facts

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Political map of China labeled in Pinyin, showing provincial-level divisions including provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and special administrative regions. Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Lhasa are marked, along with neighboring countries and key bodies of water like the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Disputed and controlled boundaries with India, Pakistan, and Bhutan are indicated with dashed and dotted lines. An inset map shows China's location within Asia.

Principal sites of prehistoric and Shang China

Neolithic Banshan pottery: funerary urn

Neolithic Longshan pottery: stem cup

Shang dynasty: bronze jia

Shang dynasty: goblet

Shang dynasty: oracle bone inscriptions

Large bronze jian water basin from 5th century BCE China, featuring animal-head ring handles and intricate bands of serpentine and dragon designs.

How did World War II affect China?

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