Xia Dynasty (夏朝) ( 2205 BC - 1806 BC) is the name for the first dynasty to be described in Chinese historical records, which record the names of seventeen kings over fourteen generations. The legends of Sanhuangwudi precedes this dynasty. It is followed by Shang Dynasty.

Until scientific excavations were made at early bronze-age sites at Anyang, Henan Province, in 1928, it was difficult to separate myth from reality in regard to the Xia. But since then, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, archaeologists have uncovered urban sites, bronze implements, and tombs that point to the existence of Xia civilization in the same locations cited in ancient Chinese historical texts. At minimum, the Xia period marked an evolutionary stage between the late neolithic cultures and the typical Chinese urban civilization of the Shang dynasty. In the Marxist histography common in Mainland China,the Xia society is considered a Slavery Society (奴隶社会).

Xia Jie, the last ruler, was said to be a corrupted king. He was overthrown by Tang, the leader of Shang people from the east.

Sovereigns of Xia Dynasty

Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號)
Convention: posthumous name
Note: all dates are approximate up to 841 BC. Please refer to Zhou dynasty for more info.

Order	Reign*	Chinese Character	Pinyin Name	Notes
01	45	禹	Yu3	or Xia Yu (夏禹; xia4 yu3) or Da Yu (大禹; da4 yu3)
02	10	啟	Qi3
03	29	太康	Tai4 Kang1
04	13	仲康	Zhong4 Kang1
05	28	相	Xiang1
06	21	少康	Shao3 Kang1	or Xia Shao Kang (夏少康 xia4 shao4 kang1)
07	17	杼	Zhu4
08	26	槐	Huai2
09	18	芒	Mang2
10	16	泄	Xie4
11	59	不降	Bu4 Jiang4
12	21	扃	Jiong1
13	21	廑	Jin3	Guoyu: jin4
14	31	孔甲	Kong3 Jia3
15	11	皋	Gao1
16	11	發	Fa1
17	52	桀	Jie2	or Xia Jie (夏桀 xia4 jie2) or Lu Gui (履癸 luu3 gui3)

* possible length of reign, in years