206BC – AD220 - After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the powerful Han state established the Han Dynasty. It was split into two periods: the Former Han Dynasty which lasted from 206BC to AD8, and the Later Han Dynasty which ruled from AD25 to AD220. Chinese people today still refer themselves as Han people.

The government retained much of the Qin administrative structure but moved away from excessive central rule. It shifted from a pure aristocracy to a more meritocratic one, selecting government officials through civil service examinations. Confucian ideals, previously suppressed, became central to the Han empire. In AD8 a rebel official seized the throne to set up the short-lived Xin Dynasty, but the Han Dynasty regained control by AD25.

During the Later Han Dynasty, the economy, education and science thrived. There was trade with northern neighbours as well as the civilisations in Europe through the overland Silk Road route. Writers created great literary works, including historical texts and dictionaries. Buddhism was also introduced from India to China.

Han China was strong militarily, expanding its borders to incorporate what is now Tibet, North Korea and northern Vietnam. The Han Dynasty was finally weakened by political rivalry and corruption. Powerful vassal states revolted and large-scale rebellion broke out, finally ending the dynasty in AD220. From then on, China split into three competing kingdoms and threatened by invading northern nomadic tribes.