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.