 The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China — then known as the Empire of the Great Ming — for 276 years ( 1368 – 1644 ) following the collapse of the Mongol @-@ led Yuan dynasty . The Ming , described by some as " one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history , " was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese . Although the primary capital of Beijing fell in 1644 to a rebellion led by Li Zicheng ( who established the Shun dynasty , soon replaced by the Manchu @-@ led Qing dynasty ) , regimes loyal to the Ming throne – collectively called the Southern Ming – survived until 1683 . 
