Chao (state)

Chao
Unknown–c. 580 BC
Chao is a state in the southeast
CapitalChao (modern-day Chaohu or near Huainan)
GovernmentMonarchy
Historical eraLate Shang period
Western Zhou period
Spring and Autumn period
• Established
Unknown
• Conquered by Chu
c. 580 BC
Succeeded by
Chu (state)
Today part ofChina

Chao (Chinese: ; pinyin: Cháo) was a minor state of the Chinese Bronze Age, whose people belonged to the Shu tribes (群舒, literally "Many Shu") that lived south of the Huai River. Chao's exact location is unknown; traditionally, it was assumed that the state had existed in the vicinity of modern-day Chaohu, Anhui, but more recent sinologists like He Hao and Barry Blakeley consider it more likely that Chao was located further north, near the Huai River.