From the Great Wall to the Bund: Top Destinations in China
China's history is a tapestry of rich, diverse, and complex events that have shaped not only the country itself but also the world. With a recorded history spanning over 3,000 years, China is one of the world's oldest civilizations. The early Chinese civilization emerged in the Yellow River Valley, known as the cradle of Chinese civilization. The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) is often considered the first Chinese dynasty, though its existence is sometimes debated due to the lack of written records. The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) followed, leaving behind the earliest known Chinese writing system and significant advancements in bronze work. The Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) introduced the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, which justified the rule of the emperor as divinely sanctioned. China's imperial history is marked by the rise and fall of dynasties. The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) unified China for the first time under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who a