Emperors
Emperors articles and guides
Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor Who Created China
Visionary unifier or ruthless tyrant? The man who created the concept of 'China' remains the most controversial figure in Chinese history.
Emperor Wu of Han: The Warrior Emperor Who Shaped Chinese Identity
He opened the Silk Road, made Confucianism the state ideology, and expanded China to its greatest extent — Emperor Wu defined what it meant to be Chinese.
The Kangxi Emperor: China's Longest-Reigning and Greatest Ruler
61 years on the throne, the largest territory in Chinese history, and a personal commitment to learning — Kangxi may be China's greatest emperor.
Wu Zetian: China's Only Female Emperor
The remarkable woman who broke every rule to rule an empire — and did it well.
China's Most Fascinating Emperors: The Brilliant, the Mad, and the Unexpected
Qin Shi Huang unified China and burned books. Tang Taizong created a golden age by listening to criticism. The Kangxi Emperor ruled for 61 years and wrote poetry. Chinese emperors were never boring.