1.The names and approximate location of the Zhou royal centers: Zhouyuan, Feng-Hao (Xi'an), and Luoyi (Luoyang)
2. The characteristics and the importance of the Zhou military colonization and state structure. Understanding the Fengjian policy of consolidating the Zhou state power by granting the regional states to lords and their lineages. Be very clear on its difference with the centralized state administration that involved the appointed officials.
3. The location and significance of the Luoyang basin in the Zhou world order. The historical precedence of Luoyang as a central place before the Zhou period. Whose legacy the Zhou was claiming?
4. The date of Zhou conquest (approximately 1045 BC) and the end of Western Zhou in 771 BC.
5. Why the First Emperor's tomb featured infantry troops, while the tombs of Zhou lords featured chariots? The changing nature of warfare from Zhou to the Warring States period (from aristocratic warriors with chariots to infantry) and its relationship with the change in social structure towards centralized state.
6. The origin, the location of the early Qin state, and the location of its imperial capital.
7. The opening of the Silk Road and the purpose of its development in relation to Han-Xiongnu conflict.
8. The characteristics of the Han royal capital of Chang'an (modern Xi'an). Its symbolic significance and its urban layout. Its difference with the Sui-Tang Chang'an.
9. The measures taken for Qin unification, standardizations.
10. The Five Sacred Mountains, their location, and the name and location of the Central Peak and the Eastern Peak.
11. The two major episodes (Sui and Yuan) in the construction of the Grand Canal. Their locations and purpose.
12. The urban planning of Sui-Tang Chang'an (Xi'an) and its difference with the Western Han imperial capital
13. The reason behind the rise of Beijing as a royal center in imperial China.
14. The introduction of Buddhism
15. The location of Northern Song royal capital Kaifeng (Bianliang) and its major difference from the Han capital Chang'an and Tang capital Chang'an.