Mongol Khanate

State · 1468–1635 CE · at its largest around 1519 CE

After the Mongols lost China, their steppe khans fought among themselves until Dayan Khan reunited much of the nation. Altan Khan's alliance with Tibetan Buddhism gave the Dalai Lama his title and made Buddhism the faith of the Mongols.

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.
Hanlin Academy (738–1911 CE): Emperor Xuanzong of Tang founded the Hanlin Academy in Chang’an as a body of scholars who drafted imperial documents. Under later dynasties it became an elite institution of top examination graduates, lasting until 1911.
Shuntian Fu (1403–1914 CE): Capital of Ming Dynasty (1421–1644), Qing Dynasty (1645–1911).
Badaling Great Wall (1505 CE): Well-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall northwest of Beijing, built in 1505 and today the most visited.
Matteo Ricci (1552 CE – 1610 CE): Italian Jesuit who settled in Beijing, introduced European science and maps to China and adapted Christianity to Chinese culture.
Shaanxi earthquake (1556 CE): The deadliest earthquake on record, killing an estimated 830,000 people, many of whom lived in loess cave dwellings.
Nurhaci (1559 CE – 1626 CE): Jurchen chieftain who unified the Jurchen tribes, created the Eight Banners and founded the Later Jin.
Title of Dalai Lama created (1578 CE): The Mongol ruler Altan Khan gave the title Dalai Lama to Sonam Gyatso, head of the Gelug school.
Shenyang (c. 1625 CE): Capital of Later Jin Dynasty (1625–1636).
Yining (c. 1634 CE): Capital of Dzungar Khanate (1634–1756).