Table of Chinese units of measurement of different dynasties

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The unit Li was used for measuring the country and especially the planned ideal rectangular cities.

dynasty chi (foot) bu (step) li (mile)
Shang dynasty 16.75 cm
16.9 cm 		 6 chi  100.5 cm

101.4 cm

300 bu 301.5 m
304.2 m
Western Zhou Dynasty 19.9 cm 6 chi 119.4 cm 300 bu 358.2 m
Eastern Zhou Dynasty 22 cm

22.7 cm
23.1 cm

6 chi 132 cm

136.2 cm
138.6 cm

300 bu 396 m

408.6 m
415.8 m

Qin Dynasty 22.6 cm 6 chi 135.6 cm 300 bu 406.8 m
Western Han Dynasty 23 cm

23.81 cm

6 chi 138 cm

142.86 cm

300 bu 414 m

428.58 m

eastern Han dynasty 23.9 cm 6 chi 143.4 cm 300 bu 430.2 m
220 24.1 cm 6 chi 144.6 cm 300 bu 433.8 m
600 25.5 cm 6 chi 153 cm 300 bu 459 m
Tang Dynasty 24.65 cm

29.55 cm

 5 chi 123.25 cm

147.75 cm

 300 or 360 bu 369.75 m

443.88 m
443.25 m
531.90 m

Song Dynasty 27 cm
 5 chi 135 cm
 300 or 360 bu 405 m

486 m

northern Song Dynasty 30.8 cm
 5 chi 154 cm
 300 or 360 bu 462 m

554.4 m

Ming Dynasty 30.08 ... 31.90 cm 5 chi 300 bu 451.20 ... 478.50 m
Qing Dynasty 30.80 ... 33.52 cm 5 chi 300 bu 462.00 ... 503.89 m
for comparison: PR China 33 1/3 cm 5 chi 166 2/3 cm 300 bu 500 m

See also:

swell