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| 222–280 |
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| The Wu dynasty was founded by Sun Quan (182–252) in the lower Yangzi Valley, with its capital at Nanjing. | 1 |
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| 264 |
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| Shu-Han was taken over by Wei. | 2 |
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| 265 |
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| The Sima family (military leaders) ousted the Cao family and changed the Wei to the Jin or Western Jin dynasty under Sima Yan (236–90, r. 265–89). | 3 |
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| 280 |
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| Jin conquered Wu. | 4 |
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| 280–316 |
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| Jin, gaining nominal control over a unified realm, divided the country among the imperial relatives, which was followed by numerous usurpations. Jin established a censorate. | 5 |
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| 304 |
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| A Xiongnu leader established the state of Han in Shanxi, later changing the dynastic name to Zhao. | 6 |
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| 311 |
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| The Jin capital at Luoyang was destroyed and the emperor murdered by a Xiongnu chieftain claiming the throne. | 7 |
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| 316 |
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| After regrouping in Chang'an, the Jin was again attacked and wiped out by the Xiongnu there. | 8 |
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| 317–589 |
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| Southern and Northern dynasties period began, China being divided north and south for over 250 years. | 9 |
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| 317–420 |
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| The Eastern Jin was established in Nanjing after remnants of the Western Jin escaped there. They attempted to recapture the north, seizing control of Sichuan in 347. | 10 |
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| 351 |
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| Fu Jian (338–85), a Tibetan general, conquered part of the north and established the Sinicized state of Former Qin at Chang'an. | 11 |
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| 383 |
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| The Battle of Fei River in northern Anhui ended in a Jin victory over Fu Jian, but the regime subsequently underwent incessant intrigue and regicide and was succeeded by short-lived, weaker states. | 12 |
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