Sung Dynasty is divided into two periods: Northern Sung Dynasty period (960 - 1127) and Southern Sung Dynasty period (1127 - 1279). Sung Dynasty existed for 319 years altogether.

In the impressions of most people, the summit of the Chinese feudalism dynasty is the Tang Dynasty, actually this is not so. The Sung Dynasty economy and culture is most prosperous, science and technology is most developed, living standard of the people is wealthiest in Chinese history. The science invention of Sung Dynasty is most in the world at that time, over half of important invention in China’s history appear in Sung Dynasty, three inventions of Chinese four inventions got extensive application in Sung Dynasty, Such as gunpowder, compass, typography, paper money, spinning and weaving craft, important reform of porcelain craft, etc.. Sung Dynasty navigation, shipbuilding, medicine, craft, agriculture technology reached the unprecedented height in Chinese ancient times, the compass began to equip the seagoing ship in Song Dynasty. The shipbuilding engineering level of Sung Dynasty was the first of the world at that time. These cause trade of Song Dynasty to reach the unprecedented prosperity. The trade of the whole year of Sung Dynasty exceeds the total amount of other countries in the world. The Chinese businessman of Sung Dynasty nearly controls the main port from Chinese coast to east coast of Africa and Red Sea. The GDP of Sung Dynasty accounts for 50% of the whole world at that time. National population had already exceeded 150 million in Sung Dynasty, there are 5 cities where population exceed million. No matter quality or quantity, the comprehensive national strength of Sung Dynasty is the first in the world at that time.

Sung Dynasty paid attention to agricultural production, cultivated the wasteland and built irrigation project by a large scale, improve the agricultural implements, lead to the agriculture develops rapidly. The currency of Sung Dynasty is copper cash, silver cash and paper money that Sung Dynasty official issue the world initially. The period of Sung Dynasty metal mineral resources have more than 270 places, increase more than 100 places compared with the Tang Dynasty. The silk and flax industry of Sung Dynasty are very developed. The export goods included silk, the porcelain, candy, fabrics, tea, metal, etc. in Song Dynasty; import goods include ivory, coral, agate, pearl, etc.

Sung Dynasty was the supreme period of China’s feudal social development, the height that its material progress and spiritual civilization reached, is unique within the Chinese whole historical period of feudal society. If say that Tang Dynasty is the strongest dynasty in China’s history, so, Sung Dynasty is the wealthiest dynasty in China’s history.