Golden ages of China

Throughout Chinese history, China had multiple periods of golden age. In Chinese historiography, golden ages on a large scale are known as shèngshì (盛世, lit. Prosperous Era), while golden ages on a smaller scale are termed as zhìshì (治世, lit. Well-Governed Era).

For periods of regional peace maintained by Chinese hegemony, see Pax Sinica.

List of Chinese golden ages

This is a list of the golden ages in the history of China, sorted by dynasty.

Golden age Presided by Period Description
Shang dynasty
Restoration of Pan Geng[1]
盤庚中興 		Pan Geng 1300–1292 BCE Social stability following the relocation of the Shang capital to Yin.
Rule of Wu Ding[2]
武丁之治 		Wu Ding 1250–1190 BCE Peak of the Shang dynasty.
Zhou dynasty
Rule of Cheng and Kang[3]
成康之治 		King Cheng of Zhou
King Kang of Zhou 		1043–1005 BCE Suppressed the Rebellion of the Three Guards and instituted the Fengjian system.
Restoration of King Xuan[4]
宣王中興 		King Xuan of Zhou 828–797 BCE Recovery of the society following the tyrannical rule of the King Li of Zhou.
Han dynasty
Rule of Wen and Jing[5]
文景之治 		Emperor Wen of Han
Emperor Jing of Han 		180–141 BCE Laid the economic foundation for the subsequent conquest of the Xiongnu by the Emperor Wu of Han.
Golden Age of the Emperor Wu of Han[6]
漢武盛世 		Emperor Wu of Han 141–87 BCE Pacification of the Xiongnu, establishment of contact with the Western Regions, and centralization of power. Peak of the Western Han.
Rule of Zhao and Xuan[7]
昭宣之治 		Emperor Zhao of Han
Emperor Xuan of Han 		87–49 BCE Stabilization of the society following the Han–Xiongnu War, and establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions.
Guangwu Restoration[8]
光武中興 		Emperor Guangwu of Han 25–57 CE Restoration of the Han dynasty following a 16-year interregnum.
Rule of Ming and Zhang[9]
明章之治 		Emperor Ming of Han
Emperor Zhang of Han 		57–88 CE Submission of the Southern Xiongnu.
Prosperity of Yongyuan[10]
永元之隆 		Emperor He of Han 92–105 CE Destruction of the Northern Xiongnu. Peak of the Eastern Han.
Jin dynasty
Reign of Taikang[11]
太康之治 		Emperor Wu of Jin 280–289 CE Reunification of China following the conquest of the Eastern Wu, and economic recovery.
Liu Song
Reign of Yuanjia[12]
元嘉之治 		Emperor Wen of Liu Song 424–450 CE Peace and stability as a result of good governance and reforms.
Northern Wei
Reforms of Xiaowen[13]
孝文改革 		Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei 471–499 CE Political and cultural development following the policy of Sinicization.
Southern Qi
Reign of Yongming[14]
永明之治 		Emperor Wu of Southern Qi 482–493 CE Establishment of peaceful relations with the Northern Wei, promotion of domestic education, and good management of the bureaucracy.
Liang dynasty
Reign of Tianjian[15]
天監之治 		Emperor Wu of Liang 464–549 CE Peace and stability.
Chen dynasty
Reign of Tianjia[16]
天嘉之治 		Emperor Wen of Chen 559–566 CE Economic recovery and prosperity following the rebellion of Hou Jing.
Sui dynasty
Reign of Kaihuang[17]
開皇之治 		Emperor Wen of Sui 581–604 CE Establishment of the Sui dynasty. Political stability and economic prosperity.
Tang dynasty
Reign of Wude[18]
武德之治 		Emperor Gaozu of Tang 618–626 CE Establishment of the Tang dynasty. Political stability and economic prosperity.
Reign of Zhenguan[19]
貞觀之治 		Emperor Taizong of Tang 626–649 CE Good governance, development of culture and production, and strengthening of territorial boundaries.
Reign of Yonghui[20]
永徽之治 		Emperor Gaozong of Tang 649–683 CE Continuation of policies introduced by the Emperor Taizong of Tang. Territorial height of the Tang dynasty.
Reign of Kaiyuan[21]
開元盛世 		Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 712–741 CE Peak of the Tang dynasty.
Yuanhe Restoration[22]
元和中興 		Emperor Xianzong of Tang 805–820 CE Stability following the An Lushan Rebellion.
Huichang Restoration[23]
會昌中興 		Emperor Wuzong of Tang 840–846 CE Increase in government revenue, and consolidation of imperial influence.
Reign of Dazhong[24]
大中之治 		Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 846–859 CE Domestic stability, and restoration of control over the Guiyi Circuit.
Wu Zhou
Continuation of the Order of Zhenguan[25]
貞觀遺風 		Wu Zhao 690–705 CE Continuation of the policies introduced during the Reign of Zhenguan.
Song dynasty
Reign of Jianlong[26]
建隆之治 		Emperor Taizu of Song 960–976 CE Establishment of the Song dynasty, and conquest of the remaining Ten Kingdoms with the exception of the Northern Han.
Reign of Xianping[27]
咸平之治 		Emperor Zhenzong of Song 997–1022 CE Conclusion of the Chanyuan Treaty which heralded the start of a century-long peace with the Liao dynasty.
Prosperous Rule of the Emperor Renzong of Song[28]
仁宗盛治 		Emperor Renzong of Song 1022–1063 CE Peak of the Song dynasty.
Reign of Qianchun[29]
乾淳之治 		Emperor Xiaozong of Song 1162–1189 CE Conclusion of the Longxing Peace Accord which heralded the start of a 40-year-long peace with the Jin dynasty.
Liao dynasty
Restoration of the Emperor Jingzong of Liao[30]
景宗中興 		Emperor Jingzong of Liao 969–982 CE Stability and prosperity following the policy of Sinicization.
Reign of Taiping[31]
太平之治 		Emperor Shengzong of Liao 1021–1031 CE Peak of the Liao dynasty.
Western Xia
Rule of Chong and Ren[32]
崇仁之治 		Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia
Emperor Renzong of Western Xia 		1086–1193 CE Peak of the Western Xia.
Jin dynasty
Prosperous Age of Dading[33]
大定盛世 		Emperor Shizong of Jin 1161–1189 CE Conclusion of the Longxing Peace Accord which heralded the start of a 40-year-long peace with the Song dynasty, increase in government revenue, and good governance.
Reign of Mingchang[34]
明昌之治 		Emperor Zhangzong of Jin 1189–1208 CE Peak of the Jin dynasty; the Jin dynasty was the most powerful and prosperous state in East Asia during the time.
Yuan dynasty
Prosperous Age of Zhiyuan[35]
至元盛世 		Emperor Shizu of Yuan 1271–1294 CE Unification of China under the Yuan dynasty, and political and economic reforms.
Prosperous Age of Dade[36]
大德盛世 		Emperor Chengzong of Yuan 1295–1307 CE Domestic stability, reduction of taxation, economic growth, and institutionalization of Confucianism in the government.
Ming dynasty
Reign of Hongwu[37]
洪武之治 		Hongwu Emperor 1368–1398 CE Establishment of the Ming dynasty.
Prosperous Age of Yongle[38]
永樂盛世 		Yongle Emperor 1402–1424 CE Military campaigns against the Mongols, establishment of Chinese rule in Vietnam, and commissioning of six large-scale maritime expeditions.
Reign of Ren and Xuan[39]
仁宣之治 		Hongxi Emperor
Xuande Emperor 		1424–1435 CE Peak of the Ming dynasty.
New Order of Chenghua[40]
成化新風 		Chenghua Emperor 1464–1487 CE Good governance, liberal political policies, economic prosperity, and domestic stability.
Hongzhi Restoration[41]
弘治中興 		Hongzhi Emperor 1487–1505 CE Economic prosperity, and domestic stability.
New Governance of Longqing[42]
隆慶新政 		Longqing Emperor 1567–1572 CE Normalization of relations with foreign adversaries, and introduction of a series of new domestic policies.
Wanli Restoration[43]
萬曆中興 		Wanli Emperor 1573–1582 CE Implementation of reforms led by Zhang Juzheng, domestic stability, and increase in government revenue.
Qing dynasty
High Qing era[44]
康雍乾盛世 		Kangxi Emperor
Yongzheng Emperor
Qianlong Emperor 		1662–1799 CE Peak of the Qing dynasty.

See also

References

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