kingdom · China, Tibet and Mongolia

Zhongshan

506 BCE – 296 BCE (approx.) · capital Lingshou

A kingdom founded by the Di people of Hebei that rose to call itself one of China's royal powers, known for the spectacular bronzes from King Cuo's tomb.

Origins

Zhongshan was founded by the Xianyu, a Baidi people who had settled in the Taihang foothills of central Hebei. Their state, known as Xianyu in Spring and Autumn sources, took the name Zhongshan in the 5th century BCE. Conquered by the State of Wei around 407 BCE, it regained independence around 380 BCE and moved its capital to Lingshou.

Rule and society

Zhongshan adopted much of Chinese court culture while keeping its own customs. In 323 BCE its ruler joined four other states in proclaiming himself king. King Cuo's tomb at Pingshan, excavated in the 1970s, contained bronzes with long inscriptions, inlaid winged beasts and a bronze plan of the royal cemetery, the oldest known architectural drawing in China.

Decline and legacy

After taking part in the invasion of the State of Yan in 314 BCE, Zhongshan was gradually conquered by King Wuling of the State of Zhao, who completed its annexation in 296 BCE. The Lingshou city walls and royal tombs survive near Pingshan, Hebei.

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Zhongshan. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhongshan
MLA
“Zhongshan.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhongshan. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Zhongshan.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhongshan.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Zhongshan’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhongshan (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻