This chapter explores the historical evolution of China’s territory through a geographical lens, emphasizing the interplay between geography and history. Territorial changes were influenced not only by political and military factors but also by natural geography and cultural identity. Initially, “China” referred to the Central PlainsCentral Plains, a region dominated by Huaxia culture rather than a unified political entity. As this culture spread, “China” came to signify a broad cultural region. The Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689), signed with Russia, marked the first international recognition of China as a sovereign state in an international treaty, reflecting the transition from a traditional dynasty to a modern nation-state. The lecture argues that territorial formation resulted from interactions and conflicts between political groups, with geography playing a fundamental role. Archaeological evidence indicates that prehistoric Chinese cultures emerged in six distinct regions with similar environmental and social structures. Due to its geographical advantages, the Central Plains became a hub of cultural exchange, fostering a unified cultural system. During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, China’s territory expanded, evolving from a city-state structure to a territorial state by the Eastern Zhou period. The Qin and Han dynasties further solidified territorial control through the Commandery-County system, while boundary treaties in the late Qing era formalized China’s modern borders.