Golden ages of China

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

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).

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

• Chinese Century
• History of China
• Pax Sinica
• Tributary system of China