located in southwest China, it has several mountain peaks that reach more than 26,000 feet

also known as the Yangzi or Yangtze River, it flows through central China

also known as the Yellow River, it flows through northern China

a hard, typically green stone used for ornaments (especially in Ancient China)

fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as sediment

a crop grown throughout the Chang Jiang River Valley and now many parts of Asia

an early Chinese dynasty that ruled from approximately 1500-1050. This dynasty ruled during China's Bronze Age

a (perhaps mythical) dynasty allegedly beginning around 2200BC by Yu the Great

this dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty and was the longest lasting Chinese dynasty, ruling from about 1030BC-250BC.

following the Zhou Dynasty and the Warring States period, this dynasty was ruled over by Shi Huangdi and had a government that put into practice Legalist beliefs.

a (perhaps mythical) ruler said to have founded the Xia Dynasty

one of the most influential teachers in Chinese history. His Chinese title in English means "Master Kong" or "kongfuzi." He preached a return to ethics (moral values).

Another influential teacher in Chinese history. He preached the religious and philosophical belief of Daoism and is credited to writing its basic text, The Way and Its Power.

this name and title mean "first emperor." The Qin king Ying Zheng took this name after unifying China under the Qin Dynasty.

moral values

the idea that heaven gives power to the king or leader, and no one ruled without heaven's permission

people of high ranking who paid taxes and provided soldiers to the king as needed and received land in return

people who farmed small plots of land and had to farm additional land for the nobles

a philosophical and religious belief named for its founder, who believed China needed to return to moral values and that people should understand their role in society

a philosophical and religious belief that stressed living in harmony nature and "the way," the guiding force of all reality.

a political philosophy that believed people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled, often through strict punishment

a record of the words and acts of Confucius and his disciples

the basic text of Daoism, thought to be written by Laozi.

a barrier that linked earlier walls of different warring states across China's northern frontier

following the Qin Dynasty, this dynasty ruled for over 400 years largely guided by Confucian beliefs and policies.

first emperor of the Han Dynasty. He softened many of the harsh policies started in the Qin Dynasty.

emperor during the Han Dynasty who implemented many Confucius ideas into his government.

the highest class in Confucius beliefs and they often ruled with a mandate of heaven

the lowest class in Confucius beliefs because they did not produce anything themselves, only sold and bought what others made

not an official class in Confucius beliefs but offers men a chance to raise his social status

an object that uses the position of shadows cast by the sun to tell the time of day

a device that measure the strength of an earthquake

the practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain

a soft, light, highly valued fabric originating from a type of worm

a 4,000-mile-long network of routes stretched westward from China across Asia's deserts and mountain ranges, through the Middle East, until it reach the Mediterranean See

the spread of ideas, goods, and technology from one culture to another