Whether or not the Xia dynasty - the first Chinese dynasty - actually existed is open to debate. Some say that it was a fake dynasty invented by the people of the later Zhou dynasty, to justify them overthrowing the Shang dynasty, who overthrew the Xia dynasty. Some say that the Xia dynasty was, in fact, real, and either way, it brought the way of familial succession - sons following their fathers to the throne.
The Shang dynasty overthrew the (maybe mythical) Xia dynasty. During this time, Chinese culture and innovation exploded. Chinese writing was first created during the Shang dynasty. Many historians call it one of the Golden Ages of Chinese history.
The Zhou dynasty was the longest of China's dynasties. The Zhou dynasty was divided into two sections: the Spring and Autumn period, and the Warring States period.
Some of China's most famous writers/philosophers lived during this period, namely, Mozi and Confucius, and some of the first writings of Taoism were written during this time.
In 771 BCE, the capital was moved from Haojing to Luoyang, thus creating Eastern Zhou. From 771 to 476 BCE was known as the Spring and Autumn period, and from 476 to 221 BCE was known as the Warring States period. During this time, many (sometimes more than 20) warlords constantly fought against each other, vying for supremacy. In the end, the Qin armies, led by the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, came out victorious in 256 BCE.
The Qin dynasty was the first time China was completely united under one emperor, Qin Shi Huang. He was a great, yet ruthless leader that did many good and not-so-great things, including building the Great Wall of China. When he died, he was famously buried in a huge mausoleum with almost 8,000 terracotta warriors to serve him in death. Qin Shi Huang's son, Qin Er Shi, was a very unpopular idiot and was overthrown by Liu Bang in 206 BCE.
Liu Bang was the first emperor of the Han dynasty, who was aided by one of the most famous Chinese strategists, Zhang Liang. Confucianism was established as the official state religion during this period.
In 9 CE, when the Western Han dynasty ended, the regent to the last emperor, Wang Mang, took the throne. He tried to impose radical reforms, but many peasants revolted and killed Wang Mang, and took the throne, thus creating the Eastern Han period. During the Eastern Han period, China flourished as a whole. Areas like Korea and Vietnam were reconquered. Confucianism became more widespread, and paper was invented.
From 184 to 220 CE, during the downfall of the Eastern Han dynasty, more than 19 major warlords fought against each other, and in 220, only Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan remained. It is worth noting that undoubtedly THE best military strategist in Chinese history, Zhuge Liang, was Liu Bei's chancellor. This period became known as the Three Kingdoms, and it was one of the most famous and bloodiest periods of Chinese history. Eventually, Cao Cao came out victorious (later the Sima clan usurped the throne from Cao Cao's young great-grandson and declared a new Jin Dynasty, though it did not last very long). There are multiple versions of the Three Kingdoms. The most famous, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong, is a more fantasy-like novel written based on the Records of the Three Kingdoms, a more historically accurate book which was written by Chen Shou.
The Sui dynasty only lasted for a short 37 years. Just like the Qin dynasty, it unified China after a long period of division (in this case, the Northern and Southern Dynasties; a time similar to the Warring States period, where a bunch of warlords fought against each other to become the emperor). It later fell when Yuwen Huaji assassinated the garbage emperor Yang Guang. An aristocrat named Li Yuan eventually took the throne.
Led by the Li family, the Tang Dynasty is considered the greatest Chinese dynasty. Li Shimin, Li Yuan's son, who was arguably one of the best emperors of China lived during this time, along with many influential Chinese poets and painters. Trade through the Silk Road flourished as well. During this time, the only female empress, Wu Zetian, took the throne, who was another great empress. China also strongly influenced other East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. China was open to other ethnic groups during the Tang dynasty. When the Tang dynasty fell, these different ethnic groups vied for power, creating the Five Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms period.
The Song dynasty was filled with rivalries between Han Chinese and many other ethnic groups like the Khitans and Tanguts, who were let into the country during the Tang dynasty. Science and technology also developed over this period. Gunpowder was used in early weaponry to hold back their rivals. The Song dynasty fell to the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan.
Led by Kublai Khan, the Yuan dynasty was the first time China was ruled by a non-Han Chinese 'emperor'. Kublai mostly followed the old ways of Chinese rule, but he divided up the Yuan society into 4 classes, with Han Chinese in the lowest rank. The Yuan dynasty was also full of cultural diversity. Western instruments, art styles, and religions were introduced into China. Marco Polo and other Europeans first traveled to China during this period too. The Yuan fell to the Red Turban Rebellion, which comprised of nationwide Song loyalists, who established the Ming dynasty.
The Ming dynasty was the last of the Chinese dynasties to be led by Han Chinese. After unifying China, Zhu Yuangzhang, the first Ming emperor, quickly became suspicious of his faithful men for overthrowing him. He killed off more than 100,000 suspected men. Zhu Yunwen, his eldest son, was supposed to take the throne after him. On the other hand, Zhu Di, his 4th eldest son, plotted a rebellion that caused a civil war, ending up with Zhu Di as emperor. Zhu Di, unlike his father, reversed many of his father's changes. During this time, many famous Chinese novels such as Journey to the West were converted into Vernacular Chinese, which made it more accessible to people who didn't know Classical Chinese.
The Qing dynasty was the last of the Chinese dynasties. Led by Nurhaci and the Jianzhou Jurchens, they united other Jurchen tribes to create a new "Manchu" ethnic identity. The Qianlong Emperor, during the height of Qing power, brought about great changes to China, including extending Qing control to inner Asia. After his death, though, China fell behind in military technology, as shown in the Opium Wars. Many other countries took advantage of this and invaded China. On Feburary 12, 1912, the last Emperor of China, Xuantong Emperor, abdicated from his throne, giving way to the Republic of China.