What is the basis of Chinese civilization?

Chinese civilization is mainly based on Han culture, as well as including features of numerous neighboring cultures. Throughout history, China was greatly influenced by diverse neighboring cultures due to military invasion and immigration, such as the nomadic Xiongnu and Manchu culture, as well as through trade and cultural exchanges, for example, Buddhism from ancient India.

Geographically, the Yellow River basin is thought to be the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The first Chinese dynasty was the Xia dynasty, which was established in 2070 BC according to traditional historiography, and lasted until the Shang dynasty, or Yin dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC) was established.

The Shang dynasty is the first Chinese civilization with written records. The Shang dynasty was followed by the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC), which is considered to be the longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history.

The Zhou dynasty is divided into the Western Zhou (1046-771 BC) and Eastern Zhou (770-256 BC) periods. During the Eastern Zhou period, several smaller states emerged, each with its own culture and traditions, and they eventually evolved into the Hundred Schools of Thought, a period of great intellectual and philosophical activity.

Following the Zhou, China was ruled by a series of dynasties including the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) which achieved the unification of China, the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), and the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 CE), established by the Mongol people, then the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The Qing dynasty (1644–1912 CE) was the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, before the republic and people's republic were established.