China Travel Guide - History

Over the centuries, many dynasties were created including the Han and Sui. China experienced its golden age during the Tang and Song Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty under the leadership of the Mongol Kubali Khan began in 1279 followed by the Qing Dynasty, China’s last.

China did not welcome European imperialism, but it eventually opened its doors to trade. Opium was one of the major commodities that were traded. However, the Opium Wars with the British weakened China’s ruling party and civil war broke out. On 1 January 1912, China was declared a Republic and Sun Yat Set of the Nationalist party was proclaimed president much to the disappointment of the Communist Party. This action brought the Qing Dynasty to an official end.

The people of Taiwan opposed communist rule and are today led by the Nationalist Party while the People’s Republic of China controls mainland China. Both states claim that they are the rulers of China in its entirety. The People’s Republic of China continue to place pressure to remove the Republic of China and unite Taiwan with the mainland.