Map Introduction

State of Zhao (403 BCE – 222 BCE) was a major state during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and one of the seven powerful states of the Warring States period.

In the sixth year of Marquess Lie of Zhao (403 BCE), Han, Zhao, and Wei officially partitioned the state of Jin. King Weilie of Zhou consequently recognized Marquess Lie of Zhao (Zhao Ji) as a feudal lord. The rulers of Zhao began to style themselves as kings starting with King Wuling of Zhao (r. 325 BCE – 299 BCE). The state was conquered by the state of Qin in 222 BCE.

State of Zhongshan (414 BCE – 296 BCE) was founded by Duke Wu of Zhongshan and was a state established by the Bai Di people. It derived its name from a mountain within its capital city (Zhongshan City). Its territory was wedged between the states of Yan and Zhao. Evolving through the stages of the Rong Di, Xianyu, and finally Zhongshan, it engaged in prolonged warfare with central states like Jin and was once considered a major threat. Events such as the Marquess of Xing battling the Rong and the Jin lords resisting the Xianyu are recorded. Later, Wen Hou of Wei sent his generals Yue Yang and Wu Qi, who, after a three-year arduous campaign, captured Zhongshan in 407 BCE. The state was later restored under Duke Huan of Zhongshan, reaching its peak power with nine thousand chariots. It was ultimately annexed by the state of Zhao in 296 BCE.

Map Source

Historical map of Zhao state and Zhongshan state during the Warring States period in China is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 1(2)—Maps of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

Related Maps

• Historical Map of the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map: Situation of the Contending States during the Warring States Period (350 BCE)
• Historical Map of the States of Han and Wei during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Qi, Lu, and Song during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the State of Yan during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Qin and Shu during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Chu and Yue during the Warring States Period in China