Synopsis
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Here, he focuses on the Song dynasty era (960-1279), including its art, inventions and cuisine.
- Programme: The Story of China
- Episode: 3: The Golden Age
- Channel: BBC Two
- Broadcast year: 2016
- History
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
More clips from The Story of China

1: Ancestors | The Story of China
1: Ancestors | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael joins the Qin family reunion, as 300 relatives gather to worshi...

2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael tells the tale of China's first international ...

4: The Ming | The Story of China
4: The Ming | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. The tale of the Ming dynasty begins with the amazing story of Hongwu, a ...

5: The Last Empire | The Story of China
5: The Last Empire | The Story of China
Michael Wood looks at China's Qing empire, which lasted from 1644 to 1912. Under the Qing, China doubled in size and became arguably ...

6: The Age of Revolution | The Story of China
6: The Age of Revolution | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael investigates three cataclysmic revolutions which sh...
More resources about China

1: Ancestors | The Story of China
1: Ancestors | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael joins the Qin family reunion, as 300 relatives gather to worshi...

2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael tells the tale of China's first international ...

4: The Ming | The Story of China
4: The Ming | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. The tale of the Ming dynasty begins with the amazing story of Hongwu, a ...

5: The Last Empire | The Story of China
5: The Last Empire | The Story of China
Michael Wood looks at China's Qing empire, which lasted from 1644 to 1912. Under the Qing, China doubled in size and became arguably ...

Episode 1 | The Silk Road
Episode 1 | The Silk Road
Sam Willis traces the story of the famous trade route. He explores Venice's Renaissance architecture and art before travelling to the beginning of ...

Episode 2 | The Silk Road
Episode 2 | The Silk Road
Sam Willis travels west to Central Asia, a place of major innovations, big historical characters and a people - the Sogdians - whose role was pivot...

Episode 3 | The Silk Road
Episode 3 | The Silk Road
Sam Willis continues his journey west in Iran. He begins in Persepolis, heart of the first Persian Empire, before heading to Istanbul and then comi...

The Shang Empire | Learning Zone
The Shang Empire | Learning Zone
The Shang developed writing amongst other inventions. This Bronze Age society developed a powerful army using bronze weapons.

Qin Shi Huang's China - Cheerleader Parody (Song) | Horrible Histories
Qin Shi Huang's China - Cheerleader Parody (Song) | Horrible Histories
Creator of the first Chinese Empire, Qin Shi Huang, shares his story in this song inspired by OMI's Ch...
More from Michael Wood

2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
2: Silk Roads and China Ships | The Story of China
Michael Wood explores the history of the world's newest superpower. Michael tells the tale of China's first international ...

3: Aethelstan: The First King of England | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons
3: Aethelstan: The First King of England | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons
Michael Wood tells the tale of King Alfred's grandson Aethelstan, showing how he fulfilled the fa...

The Grammar School: A Secret History
The Grammar School: A Secret History
This part looks at the golden age of the grammar schools in the 1950s and 60s and their sudden demise. With contributions from Michael W...

Norman land ownership | Michael Wood's Story of England
Norman land ownership | Michael Wood's Story of England
Records in the national archives detail how small villages were divided up after the Norman invasion.

Christina: A Medieval Life
Christina: A Medieval Life
Historian Michael Wood presents a portrait of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, tracing the story of Christina Cok, a peasant of...

3: Spice Routes and Silk Roads | Michael Wood: The Story of India
3: Spice Routes and Silk Roads | Michael Wood: The Story of India
A look at India in the days of the Roman Empire. In Kerala the spice trade opened India to the world, whils...

3: Across the Hindu Kush | In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
3: Across the Hindu Kush | In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
Michael Wood treks over the Khawak pass, crosses the Oxus river and follows the golden road to Samarkand w...

Truth and interpretation in Homers Illiad | In Search of the Trojan War
Truth and interpretation in Homers Illiad | In Search of the Trojan War
A discussion of truth and interpretation when dealing with archaeology and Homer's Iliad.