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The following is a list of Chinese wars and battles, organised by date. The list is not exhaustive.

Ancient China[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
26th century BCE Battle of Banquan The Yellow Emperor defeats the Yan Emperor.
26th century BCE Battle of Zhuolu The Yellow Emperor defeats Chi You and establishes the Han Chinese civilisation.
1675 BCE Battle of Mingtiao The Xia Dynasty is overthrown and replaced by the Shang Dynasty.
1046 BCE Battle of Muye The Shang Dynasty is overthrown and replaced by the Zhou Dynasty.
707 BCE Battle of Ruge Leads to the decline of the Western Zhou Dynasty.
684 BCE Battle of Changshao The Lu state defeats the Qi state
632 BCE Battle of Chengpu The Jin state defeats the Chu state.
595 BCE Battle of Bi The Chu state defeats the Jin state.
588 BCE Battle of An The Jin state defeats the Qi state.
575 BCE Battle of Yanling The Jin state defeats the Chu state.
506 BCE Battle of Boju The Wu state defeats the Chu state.
4th century BCE Gojoseon–Yan War The Yan state defeats the Gojoseon kingdom.
494 BCE Battle of Fujiao The Wu state defeats the Yue state.
478 BCE Battle of Lize The Yue state defeats the Wu state.
453 BCE Battle of Jinyang The Zhao state defeats the Zhi state. Leads to the Partition of Jin.
353 BCE Battle of Guiling The Qi state defeats the Wei state.
342 BCE Battle of Maling The Qi state defeats the Wei state.
341 BCE Battle of Guailing
293 BCE Battle of Yique The Qin state defeats the Wei and Han states.
269 BCE Battle of Yanyu
260 BCE Battle of Changping The Qin state defeats the Zhao state.
230–221 BCE Qin's wars of unification The Qin state conquers the six other major states in China and unifies the country under the Qin Dynasty.

Imperial China[]

Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
215 BCE Qin's campaign against the Xiongnu Qin forces attack the Xiongnu in the Ordos Desert.
214 BCE Qin's campaign against the Yue tribes Qin forces attack the Yue tribes in southern China and northern Vietnam.
209 BCE Daze Village Uprising Chen Sheng and Wu Guang lead a rebellion against the Qin Dynasty.
207 BCE Battle of Julu A rebel coalition army led by Xiang Yu defeats Qin forces.

Chu-Han Contention (206–202 BCE)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
205 BCE Battle of Pengcheng Western Chu defeats Han.
205 BCE Battle of Jingxing Han defeats the Zhao state.
203 BCE Battle of Wei River Han defeats Western Chu and the Qi state.
202 BCE Battle of Gaixia Han defeats Western Chu and unifies China under the Han Dynasty.

Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
2nd century BCE Southward expansion of the Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty expands its boundaries into southern China and northern Vietnam.
200 BCE Battle of Baideng The Xiongnu defeat Han forces.
154 BCE Rebellion of the Seven States The Han central government suppresses a revolt led by seven princes.
138 BCE and 111 BCE Han campaigns against Minyue The Han Dynasty conquers the Minyue region (around present-day southeastern China).
133 BCE – 89 CE Han–Xiongnu War Overall victory for Han forces over the Xiongnu.
133 BCE Battle of Mayi Inconclusive battle between the Xiongnu and Han forces.
119 BCE Battle of Mobei Han forces defeat the Xiongnu.
111 BCE Han–Nanyue War The Han Dynasty defeats the Nanyue kingdom.
109 BCE Han campaigns against Dian The Han Dynasty conquers the Dian region (around present-day Yunnan).
99 BCE Battle of Tian Shan The Xiongnu defeat Han forces.
89 CE Battle of Ikh Bayan Han forces defeat the Xiongnu.
73 CE Battle of Yiwulu Han forces defeat the Xiongnu.
67 BCE Battle of Jushi Han forces defeat the Xiongnu.
36 BCE Battle of Zhizhi Han forces defeat the Xiongnu.
23 CE Battle of Kunyang Liu Xiu overthrows the Xin Dynasty and restores the Han Dynasty (as the Eastern Han Dynasty).
184–205 CE Yellow Turban Rebellion Han forces defeat the Yellow Turban rebels.
190–191 Campaign against Dong Zhuo The Guandong Coalition attacks Dong Zhuo. No conclusive results.
191 Battle of Jieqiao Yuan Shao defeats Gongsun Zan.
191 Battle of Xiangyang Sun Jian is killed in action against Liu Biao's forces.
194–195 Battle of Yan Province Cao Cao defeats Lü Bu and takes back his territories in Yan Province.
194–199 Sun Ce's conquests in Jiangdong Sun Ce conquers many territories in Jiangdong (southeastern China) and lays the foundation of Eastern Wu.
197 Battle of Wancheng Zhang Xiu defeats Cao Cao.
198 Battle of Xiapi Cao Cao and Liu Bei defeat Lü Bu. Lü Bu is executed after his capture.
199 Battle of Yijing Yuan Shao defeats Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan commits suicide.
197–199 Campaign against Yuan Shu Han forces defeat Yuan Shu.
200 Battle of Guandu Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao.
200–207 Cao Cao's campaigns in northern China Cao Cao attacks Yuan Shao's heirs and allies in northern China and unifies the region under his control.
202 Battle of Bowang Liu Bei defeats Cao Cao's general Xiahou Dun and then retreats.
208 Battle of Xiakou Sun Quan defeats Huang Zu.
208 Battle of Changban Cao Cao's forces defeat Liu Bei.
208 Battle of Red Cliffs Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeat Cao Cao.
209 Battle of Jiangling The allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeat Cao Cao's general Cao Ren.
211 Battle of Tong Pass Cao Cao defeats a coalition of northwestern warlords led by Ma Chao and Han Sui.
212–215 Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province Liu Bei seizes control of Yi Province from Liu Zhang.
214–215 Battle of Xiaoyao Ford Cao Cao's general Zhang Liao defeats Sun Quan's forces.
215 Battle of Yangping Cao Cao takes control of Hanzhong commandery from Zhang Lu.
217 Battle of Ruxu The forces of Cao Cao and Sun Quan clash at Ruxu with no conclusive results.
217–219 Hanzhong Campaign Liu Bei seizes control of Hanzhong commandery from Cao Cao.
219 Battle of Fancheng Cao Cao's forces successfully hold off a siege on Fancheng by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu.
219 Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province Sun Quan's forces capture Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. Liu Bei's general Guan Yu is captured and executed.

Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
221–222 Battle of Xiaoting / Battle of Yiling Wu defeats Shu.
222–225 Cao Pi's invasions of Eastern Wu Wei attacks Wu three times.
225 Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign Shu pacifies its southern borders and compels the Nanman tribes into submission.
227–228 Xincheng Rebellion Wei general Sima Yi suppresses a revolt by Meng Da.
228–234 Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions Shu chancellor Zhuge Liang leads six campaigns to attack Wei but makes no significant territorial gains.
228 Battle of Shiting Wu defeats Wei.
228 Battle of Jieting Wei defeats Shu.
234 Battle of Wuzhang Plains Shu chancellor Zhuge Liang dies during a stalemate. Shu forces retreat.
238 Sima Yi's Liaodong campaign Wei general Sima Yi suppresses a revolt by Gongsun Yuan in Liaodong (northeastern China).
244 Battle of Xingshi Shu repels a Wei invasion.
244–245 Goguryeo–Wei War Wei defeats Goguryeo.
247–262 Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions Shu general Jiang Wei leads nine campaigns to attack Wei but makes no significant territorial gains.
251–258 Three Rebellions in Shouchun Wei suppresses three consecutive revolts in Shouchun commandery.
252 Battle of Dongxing Wu defeats Wei.
263 Conquest of Shu by Wei Wei conquers Shu.

Jin Dynasty (265–420), the Southern Dynasties (420–587), the Sixteen Kingdoms (304–439) and the Northern Dynasties (386–581)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
280 Conquest of Wu by Jin The Jin Dynasty conquers Eastern Wu and unifies China under its control.
291–306 War of the Eight Princes Eight Jin princes start a civil war.
304–316 Wu Hu uprising The Wu Hu tribes overthrow the (Western) Jin Dynasty. The Jin Dynasty is reestablished as the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
354–369 Huan Wen's expeditions Jin general Huan Wen attempts to reclaim territories in northern China.
383 Battle of Fei River The Eastern Jin Dynasty defeats Former Qin.
393 Conquest of Western Yan by Later Yan
395 Battle of Canhe Slope Northern Wei defeats Later Yan.
409–416 Liu Yu's expeditions Jin general Liu Yu reclaims territories in northern China and establishes the Liu Song Dynasty.
409–416 Conquest of Southern Yan
416 Conquest of Later Qin
439 Conquest of Northern Liang by Northern Wei
528 Battle of Yeh
537 Battle of Shayuan

Sui Dynasty (581–618)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
602 Sui–Lý War The Sui Dynasty defeats the Early Lý Dynasty.
598–614 Goguryeo–Sui War Goguryeo defeats Sui.
617 Battle of Huoyi Li Yuan overthrows the Sui Dynasty and establishes the Tang Dynasty.
621 Battle of Hulao Tang forces defeat Dou Jiande.

Tang Dynasty (618–907)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
630 Battle of Yinshan
640–657 Tang campaigns against the Western Turks
640–648 Emperor Taizong's campaign against Xiyu states
640 Tang campaign against Karakhoja
644, 648 Tang campaigns against Karasahr
648–649 Tang campaign against Kucha
657 Battle of Irtysh River
657 Conquest of the Western Turks
645 Siege of Ansi fortress
645–668 Goguryeo–Tang War
663 Battle of Baekgang
660 Baekje–Tang War
670 Battle of Dafei River
685 Battle of Kao Yu
698 Battle of Tianmenling
745–749 Siege of Shibao
751 Battle of Talas
756 Battle of Yongqiu
757 Battle of Suiyang
781 Battle of Henshui
817 Conquest of western Huai River
874–884 Huang Chao Rebellion

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907–960)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
923 Conquest of Later Liang by Later Tang
925 Conquest of Former Shu by Later Tang
936 Conquest of Later Tang by Later Jin
945 Battle of Ting-Hsien

Song Dynasty (960–1279)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
964 Conquest of Later Shu by Song
970 Conquest of Southern Han by Song
974 Conquest of Southern Tang by Song
979 Conquest of Northern Han by Song
1048 Battle of Pei-Chou
1129–1141 Song-Jin Wars Wars between the Song and Jin dynasties.
1161 Battle of Tangdao Song defeats Jin.
1161 Battle of Caishi Song defeats Jin.
1273 Battle of Xiangyang The Mongols defeat Song.
1279 Battle of Yamen The Mongols defeat Song. Fall of the Song Dynasty.

Liao Dynasty (907–1125)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
Liao-Song War
979 Battle of Gaoliang River
1114–1125 Liao-Jin War

Jin Dynasty (1115–1234)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
1211–1234 Mongol–Jin War The Mongols defeat and conquer Jin.
1211 Battle of the Badger Mouth The Mongols defeat Jin.
1215 Battle of Zhongdu The Mongols defeat Jin.

Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
1274, 1281 Mongol invasions of Japan The Japanese repel the Mongol invasions.
1288 Battle of Bạch Đằng The Vietnamese defeat Yuan forces.
1351–1368 Red Turban Rebellion The Red Turban rebels overthrow the Yuan Dynasty.
1359 Red Turban invasions of Goryeo The Red Turban rebels attack Goryeo.
1360 Battle of Yingtian
1363 Battle of Lake Poyang Zhu Yuanzhang defeats Chen Youliang.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
1381–1382 Ming conquest of Yunnan
1300s–1400s Miao Rebellions Ming forces suppressed rebellions by the Miao and other aboriginal peoples in southwestern China.
1399–1402 Jingnan Campaign Zhu Di seized the throne from the Jianwen Emperor in a civil war.
1400s–1500s Ming–Turpan conflict The Ming clashed with the Turpan kingdom.
1406–1407 Ming–Hồ War The Ming defeated the Hồ Dynasty.
1410 Ming–Kotte War The Ming defeated the Kingdom of Kotte.
1449 Tumu Crisis The Mongols defeated the Ming.
1510 Prince of Anhua rebellion The Ming suppressed a revolt by Zhu Zhifan (the Prince of Anhua).
1519 Prince of Ning rebellion The Ming suppressed a revolt by Zhu Chenhao (the Prince of Ning).
1521 First Battle of Tamao The Ming defeated the Portuguese in a naval battle.
1522 Second Battle of Tamao The Ming defeated the Portuguese in a naval battle.
1592–1598 Japanese invasions of Korea The Ming and Joseon defeated Japanese invaders.
1593 Siege of Pyongyang The Ming and Joseon defeated Japanese invaders.
1597 Siege of Ulsan Ming and Joseon forces failed to capture Ulsan Castle from the Japanese.
1598 Battle of Sacheon Ming and Joseon forces failed to capture Sacheon from the Japanese.
1598 Battle of Noryang Ming and Joseon forces defeated the Japanese in a naval battle.
1618–1683 Manchu conquest of China The Manchus conquered China and established the Qing Dynasty.
1618–1619 Battle of Sarhu The Manchus defeated the Ming.
1626 Battle of Ningyuan The Ming defeated the Manchus.
1633 Battle of Liaoluo Bay The Ming defeated the Dutch East India Company and some Chinese pirates.
1641–1642 Battle of Songjin The Qing defeated the Ming.
1642 Battle of Nanyang
1644 Battle of Beijing Rebel forces led by Li Zicheng occupied the capital Beijing and overthrew the Ming Dynasty.
1644 Battle of Shanhai Pass Qing forces allied with former Ming general Wu Sangui and defeated Li Zicheng's forces.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)[]

Year(s) Event Brief description
1652–1689 Russian–Manchu border conflicts Border conflicts between the Qing and the Russian Empire concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk.
1674–1681 Revolt of the Three Feudatories The Qing suppressed rebellions in Fujian, Guangdong and Yunnan.
1683 Battle of Penghu The Qing conquered the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan.
1690–1757 Zunghar-Manchu wars
1696 Battle of Jao Modo The Qing defeated the Zunghar Khanate.
1718 Battle of the Salween River The Zunghars defeated the Qing.
1747–1792 Ten Great Campaigns The Qing fought wars with various foreign powers around China.
1794–1804 White Lotus Rebellion The Qing suppressed a revolt by the White Lotus Society.
1839–1842 First Opium War The Qing lost to the British and ceded Hong Kong to the latter.
1839 Battle of Kowloon Stalemate between the British and the Qing.
1839 Battle of Chuenpee The British defeated the Qing.
1840 Capture of Chusan The British defeated the Qing.
1840 Battle of the Barrier The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Second Battle of Chuenpee The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of the Bogue The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of First Bar The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of Whampoa The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of Canton (March 1841) The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of Canton (May 1841) The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of Amoy The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Capture of Chusan (1841) The British defeated the Qing.
1841 Battle of Chinhai The British defeated the Qing.
1842 Battle of Ningpo The British defeated the Qing.
1842 Battle of Tsekee The British defeated the Qing.
1842 Battle of Chapoo The British defeated the Qing.
1842 Battle of Woosung The British defeated the Qing.
1842 Battle of Chinkiang The British defeated the Qing.
1850–1864 Taiping Rebellion The Qing defeated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (founded by the Taiping rebels).
1850 Jintian Uprising Start of the Taiping Rebellion.
1852 Battle of Changsha
1853 Battle of Nanjing The Taiping rebels captured Nanjing from the Qing.
1854 Battle of Lake Dongting
1856 Battle of Nanjing The Taiping rebels defeated the Qing.
1856 Third Battle of Wuhan
1857 Battles of Lake Tai
1858 Battle of Sanhe The Taiping rebels defeated the Qing.
1859 Battle of Jiujiang
1860 Second rout of the Jiangnan Daying The Taiping rebels defeated the Qing.
1861 Battle of Anqing
1861–1864 Battle of Guanzhong The Taiping rebels defeated the Qing.
1861 Battle of Shanghai The Qing defeated the Taiping rebels with assistance from British and French forces.
1862 Battle of Cixi The Qing defeated the Taiping rebels.
1863 Battle of Northern Jiangsu
1863–1864 Battle of Changzhou The Qing defeated the Taiping rebels.
1864 Third Battle of Nanking The Qing seized Nanjing from the Taiping rebels.
1864 Battle of Hubei The Qing seized Hubei and southern Anhui from the Taiping rebels.
1865 Battle of Fujian The Qing seized Fujian from the Taiping rebels.
1866 Battle of Meizhou
1856–1873 Panthay Rebellion The Qing suppressed a revolt by the Hui people and other ethnic minorities in Yunnan.
1862–1877 Dungan revolt The Qing suppressed a revolt by the Hui people in northwestern China.
1870 Battle of Ürümqi (1870) The Turkic kingdom of Kashgaria defeated Hui rebels.
1864–1869 Nien Rebellion The Qing suppressed a revolt led by Zhang Lexing and others.
1865 Battle of Gaolozai
1867 Battle of Inlon River The Qing defeated the Nien rebels.
1867 Battle of Ganyu
1867 Battle of Shouguang
1856–1860 Second Opium War The British, French and Americans defeated the Qing.
1856 Battle of the Pearl River Forts The Americans defeated the Qing.
1857 Battle of Fatshan Creek The British defeated Chinese pirates.
1858 First Battle of Taku Forts The British and French defeated the Qing.
1859 Second Battle of Taku Forts The Qing defeated the British and French.
1860 Third Battle of Taku Forts The British and French defeated the Qing.
1860 Battle of Palikao The British and French defeated the Qing.
1884–1885 Sino-French War The French defeated the Qing, Vietnamese and Black Flag Army. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin (1885).
1883–1886 Tonkin Campaign The French defeated the Qing, Vietnamese and Black Flag Army.
1883 Sơn Tây Campaign The French defeated the Qing, Vietnamese and Black Flag Army.
1883 Battle of Paper Bridge The Black Flag Army defeated the French.
1884 Bắc Ninh Campaign The French defeated the Qing and Black Flag Army.
1884 Bắc Lệ ambush The Qing defeated the French.
1884 Battle of Fuzhou The French defeated the Qing.
1884 Kep Campaign The French defeated the Qing.
1884–1885 Keelung Campaign Stalemate between the French and the Qing.
1885 Lạng Sơn Campaign The French defeated the Qing.
1885 Battle of Shipu The French defeated the Qing.
1885 Battle of Zhenhai The French clashed with the Qing.
1885 Siege of Tuyên Quang The French defeated the Qing and Black Flag Army.
1885 Battle of Hoa Moc The French defeated the Qing and Black Flag Army.
1885 Battle of Bang Bo The Qing, Vietnamese and Black Flag Army defeated the French.
1885 Battle of Phu Lam Tao The Qing and Black Flag Army defeated the French.
1885 Pescadores Campaign The French defeated the Qing.
1894–1895 First Sino-Japanese War The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of Pungdo The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of Seonghwan The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of Pyongyang The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of the Yalu River The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of Jiuliancheng The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1894 Battle of Lushunkou The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1895 Battle of Weihaiwei The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1895 Battle of Yingkou The Japanese defeated the Qing.
1895–1896 Dungan revolt The Qing suppressed a revolt by Muslim forces in western China.
1899–1901 Boxer Rebellion The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated the Boxer rebels and Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Dagu Forts The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Tientsin The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Shanhai Pass The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Beicang The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Yangcun The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated Qing forces.
1900 Battles on Amur River The Russians defeated the Boxer rebels and Qing forces.
1900 Battle of Peking The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated the Boxer rebels and Qing forces.
1900 Seymour Expedition The Boxer rebels and Qing forces defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance.
1900 Siege of the International Legations The Eight-Nation Alliance defeated the Boxer rebels and Qing forces.
1911–1912 Xinhai Revolution The Tongmenghui overthrew the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China.
1911 Wuchang Uprising The start of the Xinhai Revolution.
1911 Battle of Yangxia Qing and Revolutionary Armies vie for control of Wuhan

Modern China[]

Sino-Tibetan War[]

Kuomintang Pacification of Qinghai[]

  • Kuomintang Pacification of Qinghai
  • 1929 - Battle of Xiahe

Kumul Rebellion (1930-1934)[]

Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang 1934[]

First Stage of the Chinese Civil War (1927-1936)[]

Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)[]

Ili Rebellion (1946-1949)[]

Second Stage of the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), post-World War II era[]

Conflicts in the Chinese Civil War in the post-World War II era are listed chronologically by the starting dates.

1945[]

3rd Quarter of 1945

4th Quarter of 1945

1946[]

1st Quarter of 1946

2nd Quarter of 1946

3rd Quarter of 1946

4th Quarter of 1946

1947[]

1st Quarter of 1947

2nd Quarter of 1947

3rd Quarter of 1947

4th Quarter of 1947

1948[]

1st Quarter of 1948

2nd Quarter of 1948

3rd Quarter of 1948

4th Quarter of 1948

1949[]

1st Quarter of 1949

2nd Quarter of 1949

3rd Quarter of 1949

4th Quarter of 1949

1950[]

1st Quarter of 1950

2nd Quarter of 1950

3rd Quarter of 1950

4th Quarter of 1950

1951[]

1952[]

1953[]

1955[]

1960[]

1950-1958[]

  • Kuomintang Islamic Insurgency in China (1950–1958)

Invasion of Tibet (1950)[]

Korean War (1950-1953)[]

Vietnam War (1959-1975)[]

Sino-Indian War (1962)[]

Sino-Soviet border conflict (1969)[]

Sino-Vietnamese War (1979)[]

See also[]

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The original article can be found at List of Chinese wars and battles and the edit history here.