00:00China has one of the world's oldest civilizations.
00:03Early Chinese societies developed along the Yellow River,
00:06where farming, cities, and culture began to grow.
00:10In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang united several Chinese states
00:14and became the first emperor of a unified China.
00:17His terracotta army remains famous today.
00:20After the Qin, the Han Dynasty expanded the empire
00:23and encouraged trade along the Silk Road,
00:26connecting China with Central Asia and beyond.
00:30During the Tang Dynasty,
00:32China became a major center of art and literature,
00:35as well as science and culture, and international trade.
00:39Later, the Ming Dynasty strengthened the empire
00:43and expanded the Great Wall.
00:45The magnificent Forbidden City was also built in Beijing.
00:49Later, the Ming Dynasty strengthened the empire
00:53and expanded the Great Wall.
00:55The magnificent Forbidden City was also built in Beijing.
