Han Dynasty Map in 3D: China's Golden Age and the Silk Road
The Han Dynasty ruled China for about four centuries and is remembered as a golden age. It opened the Silk Road to the west and produced inventions like paper. Its influence runs so deep that the largest ethnic group in China still calls itself Han. On the 3D History Globe you can watch Han China grow.
Explore in 3DHan Dynasty quick facts
| Dates | 206 BC to 220 AD |
|---|---|
| Capitals | Chang'an, later Luoyang |
| Largest area | About 6 million km² |
| People | Around 58 million in a census of 2 AD |
| Famous emperors | Liu Bang (Gaozu), Emperor Wu, Emperor Guangwu |
Interesting facts
- Most people in China today call themselves Han Chinese, after this dynasty.
- Paper making was developed and improved under the Han.
- The Silk Road linked Han China with Central Asia and, through traders, the Roman world.
- Zhang Heng built an early instrument for detecting earthquakes.
- A census in 2 AD counted around 58 million people.
Han Dynasty timeline
- 206 BCLiu Bang founds the Han Dynasty
- 141 BCEmperor Wu begins his long reign and expands the empire
- about 130 BCThe Silk Road routes to the west open
- 9 ADWang Mang briefly takes the throne
- 25 ADThe Eastern Han restores the dynasty
- 220 ADThe Han Dynasty ends
On the History Globe, press play to watch these stages appear one by one, with the borders growing across the map.
More empires in 3D
Han Dynasty questions
When was the Han Dynasty?
From 206 BC to 220 AD, with a short break between 9 and 23 AD.
What did the Han Dynasty invent?
It is known for paper making, an early earthquake detector and advances in iron working.
What was the Silk Road?
A network of trade routes that linked China with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, opened under the Han.
Why do Chinese people call themselves Han?
The Han Dynasty was so important to Chinese culture that the main ethnic group took its name.
What was the capital of the Han Dynasty?
Chang'an in the Western Han and Luoyang in the Eastern Han.
The 3D History Globe is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. Map borders are approximate, for learning.