China
Land of Dragons and Emperors

This book will introduce you to the most famous people and events in China during the last 2200 years

Do you know why the opening time for the Beijing Olympics was set at 8.08 pm on 8 August 2008? Or what are the secrets guarded by the silent terracotta army inside the First Chinese Emperor's tomb? This book will introduce you to the most famous people and events in China during the last 2200 years. Meet the emperor who loved a woman too much, and the admiral whose fleet was so big it blocked out the sun. Discover the meaning of dragons, and why you should never give a Chinese man a green hat. Be amazed at China's many inventions, from silk, paper, printing and porcelain to crossbows, stirrups, matches, cast iron, steel and gunpowder.

Contents Introduction Enter the dragonsymbol of imperial power, as lucky as the number nineFirst Emperor of All China a terracotta army, book bonfires, a travelling corpse and the start of the Great WallFounding Dynasty: the Hanearly trade along the Silk Road, a cruel Empress, a heavenly horse, the invention of paperAge of DisunionThe Cave of a Thousand BuddhasGolden Dynasty: the TangBuilding the Grand Canal, three quarrelling princes, China's only woman Emperor, a love-struck rulerDivided Dynasty: the Songa soldier enthroned, defeat in the north, the six evil men, flying money and foot-bindingMongol Dynasty: the Yuanwild horsemen from the north, the marble palace of Kublai Khan, a giant catapultEunuchs' Dynasty: the Minga treasure fleet that blocked the sun, bankruptcy and famine, China closes her doors / walls herself inCrippled Dynasty: the Qingpigtails for all