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Anyang

capital of the Shang Dynasty; city near which thousands of oracle bones and the tomb of Emperor Qin were discovered

Forbidden City

huge palace complex that included hundreds of imperial residences, temples, and other government buildings

Grand Canal

canal linking northern and southern China began during the Sui Dynasty

Great Wall

barrier located in northern China that linked earlier walls; ordered by Shi Huangdi to protect China from invasion

Huang He

this river is the second longest in China and is known for its thick deposits of silt; also known as Yellow

isolationism

policy of avoiding contact with other countries

Mandate of Heaven

idea that heaven chose China's ruler and gave him or her power; first used by the Zhou Dynasty

North China Plain

this landform was created by formation of sediment of the Yellow/Huang He River

Silk Road

this was a wealthy and vast network of trade routes that connected China and the Mediterranean Sea from the 200s through the 1300s CE

Yangtze

China's longest river along which rice was the main crop; also known as Chang Jiang