List of Zhou dynasty states


The following ancient Chinese states were parts of the geopolitical milieu during the Zhou dynasty of early China, during one or more of its main chronological subdivisions: the Western Zhou period, Spring and Autumn period, and Warring States period. Listed below are the names of various polities, the aristocratic houses and lineages of their ruling families, locations relative to modern Chinese geography, noble titles of the rulers, start and end years, and conquerors.

States during the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn periods (1046–403 BCE)

In Chongqing

States during the Warring States period (403BCE – 221BCE)

Main States

Name of stateHanziFamilyPresent locationTitleStart and end yearConqueror
Qin秦國Ying ZhaoCentral and southern Shaanxi Province, eastern Gansu Province, Sichuan Province, Chongqing City, western Henan Province, western Hubei Province. Unified China in 221 BCE.770206BCEWestern Chu
Yan燕國Ji Yan Southern Liaoning Province, Beijing City, Tianjin City, northern Hebei ProvinceHou, Wang 1046221BCEQin
Chu楚國Mi Xiong Hubei Province, northern Hunan Province, western Anhui Province, western Jiangxi Province, southern Henan Province; later expanded to Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang ProvinceZi, Wang Before 1046BCE–223BCEQin
Zhao趙國Ying Zhao Western Hebei Province, northern Shanxi Province, and southern Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionHou, Wang 403222BCEQin
Wei魏國Ji Wei Southern Shanxi Province, northern Henan Province, eastern Shaanxi Province, and parts of Hebei ProvinceHou, Wang 403225BCEQin
Han韓國Ji Han Henan ProvinceHou, Wang 403230BCEQin
Qi, historically known as Tian Qi齊國Gui Tian Eastern Shandong Province; southern Hebei ProvinceHou, Wang 386221BCEQin