| 960 | General Zhao Kuangyin establishes the Song Dynasty after overthrowing the Later Zhou, the last of the Five Dynasties. He becomes Emperor Taizu of Song. |
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| 976 | Emperor Taizong ascends to the throne after the death of his brother, Emperor Taizu. He continues the process of unifying China under the Song Dynasty. |
| 1004 | The Song Dynasty signs the Chanyuan Treaty with the Liao Dynasty, a Khitan-led state to the north, ending the long-standing conflict between the two powers. |
| 1044 | Shen Kuo, a polymath and government official, is born. He makes significant contributions to various fields, including astronomy, geology, and engineering, and writes the famous scientific work “Dream Pool Essays.” |
| 1067 | Emperor Shenzong ascends to the throne, initiating the period known as the New Policies, which includes major reforms in administration, finance, and military organization. |
| 1088 | Chinese polymath and statesman Su Song designs and builds the first known water-powered astronomical clock tower. |
| 1127 | The Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty conquers the northern part of Song territory, marking the end of the Northern Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty. |
| 1162 | Future Mongol emperor Genghis Khan is born, eventually leading to the rise of the Mongol Empire, which will play a significant role in the decline of the Song Dynasty. |
| 1271 | Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, establishes the Yuan Dynasty in China, which will eventually overthrow the Song Dynasty. |
| 1279 | The Song Dynasty falls to the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty after the naval Battle of Yamen, marking the end of the Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty in China. |