Map of China During the Five Dynasties (907-960)

If you are planning a trip to China and are fascinated by its long history, you may come across references to the Five Dynasties period (907–960). This era is a bridge between the mighty Tang Dynasty and the unified Song Dynasty, and understanding its geography helps travelers appreciate the layers of history found across China’s ancient capitals and heritage sites.

A Time of Division: Understanding the Map

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was a time of political fragmentation. The "Five Dynasties" refers to five short-lived regimes that controlled the traditional heartland of North China in rapid succession. These were:

• Later Liang (907–923)
• Later Tang (923–936)
• Later Jin (936–947)
• Later Han (947–951)
• Later Shang (951–960)

Meanwhile, in the south and west, several independent states—known as the "Ten Kingdoms"—flourished. These included the Kingdom of Shu (modern Sichuan), the Southern Tang (around modern Nanjing and Jiangxi), the Kingdom of Min (Fujian), and the Kingdom of Chu (Hunan), among others.

Key Geographic Features on the Map

North China Plain

This fertile region, centered on modern-day Kaifeng (Henan province) and Luoyang, was the power base for most of the Five Dynasties. Today, Kaifeng is a must-visit for history buffs, with its reconstructed Song Dynasty city walls and ancient street layouts that echo this turbulent era.

The Lower Yangtze Region

The area around modern Nanjing and Hangzhou became a cultural and economic powerhouse during the Ten Kingdoms period. The Kingdom of Southern Tang, based in Nanjing, left behind literary and artistic legacies that you can explore at museums like the Nanjing Museum.

Sichuan Basin

The Kingdom of Shu (Former and Later Shu) controlled present-day Chengdu and the surrounding fertile plain. Chengdu's ancient temples and the nearby Leshan Giant Buddha (carved during this period) are tangible links to the era.

The Southern Coast

The Kingdom of Min (based in Fuzhou) and the Southern Han (based in Guangzhou) controlled the southeastern coast. These regions were important maritime trade hubs, connecting China to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean world.

Practical Travel Advice for History-Minded Travelers

• Visit Historical Capitals: While the Five Dynasties did not leave monumental architecture like later dynasties, sites in Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Nanjing offer glimpses of the era. The Kaifeng City Wall and the Longmen Grottoes (outside Luoyang) date back to earlier periods but continued to be used during the Five Dynasties.
• Explore Museums: The Sichuan Museum in Chengdu and the Nanjing Museum house artifacts from the Ten Kingdoms, including exquisite ceramics, silk fragments, and Buddhist sculptures.
• Look for Buddhist Art: The period saw a flourishing of Buddhist cave art and temple construction. The Dazu Rock Carvings (near Chongqing) and the Leshan Giant Buddha are UNESCO World Heritage sites with origins or major works from this time.
• Join a Themed Tour: Many tour operators cater to history enthusiasts. You can find small-group or private tours that combine the old Northern capitals (Xi’an, Luoyang, Kaifeng) with southern cultural highlights (Nanjing, Chengdu, Hangzhou). These tours often include expert guides who explain the turbulent politics of the era.

How the Five Dynasties Map Connects to Modern Travel

Modern provinces and cities often trace their origins to the Ten Kingdoms. For example:

• Fujian – From the Kingdom of Min
• Hunan – From the Kingdom of Chu
• Guangdong and Guangxi – From the Southern Han
• Jiangsu and Jiangxi – From the Southern Tang
• Sichuan – From the Kingdom of Shu

When you travel through these regions today, you are walking on land once ruled by these independent kingdoms. Local food, dialects, and customs often retain regional flavors that developed during this period of separation.

FAQs for International Travelers

Q: Is the Five Dynasties period well-known in China? A: It is less famous than the Tang or Song dynasties, but it is a crucial period for understanding Chinese history. Many Chinese schoolchildren learn about it, and history museums in Nanjing, Chengdu, and Kaifeng feature exhibits on the era.

Q: Are there any World Heritage sites from this period? A: Yes, several UNESCO sites were either built or significantly expanded during the Five Dynasties, including the Leshan Giant Buddha (completed 803, heavily restored later) and the Dazu Rock Carvings (begun in the late Tang but flourished in the Five Dynasties and Song).

Q: Can I find English-language guides for this history? A: Yes, many professional tour guides in Xi’an, Luoyang, Nanjing, and Chengdu are knowledgeable about the Tang-to-Song transition. You can arrange private tours or join small groups that focus on Chinese history.

Q: How does the Five Dynasties map compare to the modern map? A: The northern part of China was controlled by the Five Dynasties, which closely match modern North China (Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong). The south was divided into multiple kingdoms that roughly correspond to today’s provinces like Sichuan, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangsu.

Conclusion

While the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period may seem like a chaotic footnote in Chinese history, its geographic legacy is still visible on the map and in the cultural fabric of China’s regions. For international travelers, understanding this era adds depth to visits to historical cities like Kaifeng, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. Whether you are exploring ancient Buddhist carvings, walking through a Tang-era city gate, or tasting local cuisine that has roots in a thousand-year-old kingdom, the map of the Five Dynasties offers a fascinating lens through which to appreciate China’s diverse cultural heritage.

For travelers interested in a China tour that connects the dots between ancient dynasties and modern destinations, consider a private or small-group itinerary that covers both the northern capitals and the southern kingdoms.