Ming Dynasty

State · 1375–1644 CE · at its largest around 1422 CE

The Ming restored Chinese rule after the Mongols, built the Forbidden City and gave the Great Wall its familiar brick form. Zheng He's treasure fleets sailed to Africa, blue-and-white porcelain was prized worldwide, and novels like Journey to the West appeared.

On its lands while it lasted

Imperial examination system (605–1905 CE): The Sui formalised civil service examinations for selecting officials, a system that lasted until its abolition in 1905.
Goryeo (918–1392 CE): Dynasty founded by Wang Geon with its capital at Kaesong; the name Korea derives from it.
Karakorum (c. 1220–1388 CE): Capital of the Mongol Empire, walled under Ögedei Khan in 1235; destroyed by Ming forces in 1388.
Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1438 CE): Early Thai kingdom founded in 1238, regarded in Thai tradition as the cradle of Thai civilisation; it was later absorbed by Ayutthaya.
Ming dynasty (1368–1644 CE): Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed the Ming dynasty at Nanjing and drove the Mongols from China.
Joseon (1392–1897 CE): Dynasty founded by Yi Seong-gye with its capital at Hanseong (Seoul); it ruled Korea for five centuries.
Sejong the Great (1397 CE – 1450 CE): Joseon king who promoted science and scholarship and created the Korean alphabet.
Forbidden City (1420 CE): Imperial palace complex in Beijing, completed in 1420; home of Ming and Qing emperors and now the Palace Museum.
Hangul (1443 CE): King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, promulgated in 1446 as Hunminjeongeum.
Oda Nobunaga (1534 CE – 1582 CE): Daimyo who began the unification of Japan, based at Azuchi Castle.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 CE – 1598 CE): Nobunaga's successor who completed the unification of Japan and invaded Korea.
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543 CE – 1616 CE): Founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 260 years.
Battle of Sekigahara (1600 CE): Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated a western coalition, securing control of Japan.
Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868 CE): Military government based at Edo that brought over two centuries of peace to Japan.
Qing dynasty (1636–1912 CE): Hong Taiji proclaimed the Qing dynasty at Mukden; the Manchu dynasty ruled China from 1644 until 1912.