Map Introduction

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907–960 AD) was one of the most frequent eras of regime change in Chinese history. The core "Five Dynasties" consisted of five successive regimes in the Central Plains—Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou—while the "Ten Kingdoms" referred to various separatist regimes in southern and frontier regions.

Later Liang (907–923 AD)

Zhu Wen, originally a general under the Huang Chao Rebellion, surrendered to the Tang and gradually took control of the Henan region. In 907 AD, he deposed the last Tang emperor and established the Later Liang. His regime controlled only the Central Plains and surrounding areas, making it the smallest among the Five Dynasties. In his later years, Zhu Wen indulged in pleasure, triggering internal family strife. In 923 AD, he was defeated by his adopted son, Li Cunxu, leading to the fall of the Later Liang.

Later Tang (923–936 AD)

After overthrowing the Later Liang, Li Cunxu established the Later Tang, with its capital at Luoyang. Initially, its territory covered northern China and parts of the south, expanding through campaigns against states like Former Shu and Qi. However, due to corrupt governance in its later years, a rebellion broke out in 936 AD, leading to the collapse of the regime.

Later Jin (936–947 AD)

After Li Cunxu, son of Li Keyong, declared himself emperor, he became obsessed with opera, causing internal disunity. In 936 AD, Shi Jingtang rebelled with the support of the Khitans, established the Later Jin, and ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to the Khitans. The Later Jin relied on Khitan influence to maintain its rule until it was conquered by the Khitans in 947 AD.

Later Han (947–950 AD)

Liu Zhiyuan raised an army in Taiyuan against the Later Jin and established the Later Han, with its capital at Daliang (modern Kaifeng, Henan). His domain included the Central Plains and parts of southern China. Due to his brutal rule, the regime was defeated in 950 AD by a coalition of the Khitans and Southern Tang, among others.

Later Zhou (951–960 AD)

Guo Wei led an uprising in Yecheng and established the Later Zhou, setting its capital at Bianliang (modern Kaifeng, Henan). Through a series of reforms, he revitalized the economy, laying the foundation for the eventual unification under the Northern Song. In 960 AD, Zhao Kuangyin launched the Chenqiao Mutiny, establishing the Northern Song and bringing the Later Zhou to an end.

The Ten Kingdoms were primarily composed of separatist regimes in the south, including Former Shu, Later Shu, Southern Tang, Wuyue, and Southern Chu, among others. Most of these regimes evolved from Tang-era military governors (jiedushi), such as Wang Jian, who established Former Shu in the western Sichuan region, and Yang Xingmi, who founded Southern Wu in the Jiangdong area.