9781422283523

Contents

1 Exploring China The Story of China

4 6 8

The Beginnings of Civilization Bronze-Age China Early Philosophers 2 The Great Empire The First Emperor The Arrival of Buddhism 3 The Golden Age The Center of the World The Silk Road and the Romans Traveling Monks and Famous Poetry 4 China After the Tenth Century Trade and Cities

A n old farmer walks with his bamboo basket on his back. The majority of the Chinese population are farmers.

10

11 14 16

18 20

22 24

The Arts and Sciences

5 New Travelers The Mongols and the Arrival  of Foreigners The Story of Marco Polo

26 28 30 32

Zheng He’s Journeys

Xu Xiake: An Unusual Traveler

6 Europe and China The Conflict Between Two  Different Worlds

34 38

The Last Emperor

7 Modern China Revolution and Change

40 44 46 47 48

China Today Time Chart Glossary

Index

3