<P> The Song dynasty ( Chinese : 宋朝 ; pinyin : Sòng cháo ; 960 -- 1279 ) was an era of Chinese history that began in 960 and continued until 1279 . It was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of Later Zhou , ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period . The Song often came into conflict with the contemporary Liao and Western Xia dynasties in the north and was conquered by the Mongol - led Yuan dynasty . The Song government was the first in world history to issue banknotes or true paper money nationally and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy . This dynasty also saw the first known use of gunpowder , as well as the first discernment of true north using a compass . </P>
<P> The Song dynasty ( Chinese : 宋朝 ; pinyin : Sòng cháo ; 960 -- 1279 ) was an era of Chinese history that began in 960 and continued until 1279 . It was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of Later Zhou , ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period . The Song often came into conflict with the contemporary Liao and Western Xia dynasties in the north and was conquered by the Mongol - led Yuan dynasty . The Song government was the first in world history to issue banknotes or true paper money nationally and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy . This dynasty also saw the first known use of gunpowder , as well as the first discernment of true north using a compass . </P>
when did the song dynasty start and end
when did the song dynasty start and end
960 -- 1279
960 -- 1279