Chinese historiography, based on the conviction that human historical experience constitutes the main repository of human wisdom, has its beginnings under the Zhou dynasty.

The Classic of History, one of the Five Classics of Chinese classic texts is one of the earliest narratives of China.

The Spring and Autumn Annals, the official chronicle of the State of Lu covering the period from 722 BCE to 481 BCE, is among the earliest surviving Chinese historical texts to be arranged on annalistic principles.

It is believed to have been compiled by Confucius.