Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu of Song)
Commander of the Later Zhou guards who was proclaimed emperor by his troops in 960, founded the Song with its capital at Kaifeng and curbed the power of the generals.
| Lived | AD 927 – AD 976 |
| Known as | Founder of the Song dynasty |
| Birthplace or main place | Kaifeng |
| Places on the map | Kaifeng, Luoyang |
KaifengSee the world of Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu of Song) in the interactive map
Who ruled these places in his lifetime
| Place | At birth (map of AD 900) | At death (map of AD 900) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaifeng | Tang Empire | same |
| Luoyang | Tang Empire | same |
From the border maps nearest to each date; borders are approximate.
Events in his lifetime
| Year | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| AD 960 | Zhao Kuangyin seizes power and founds the Song dynasty with its capital at Bianjing | Kaifeng |
Further reading
- Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu of Song) in Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu of Song) on Wikipedia
Contemporaries
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| AD 877 – AD 943 | Wang Geon (Taejo of Goryeo) | Founder of Goryeo |
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.