The Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) marked a pivotal, albeit brief, period in Chinese history, successfully reunifying China proper after nearly four centuries of political fragmentation during the Northern and Southern Dynasties era. Founded by Emperor Wen (Yang Jian), who consolidated power after serving as a Northern Zhou general, the Sui laid much of the administrative and institutional groundwork for the subsequent Tang dynasty. Often compared to the Qin Dynasty for its rapid unification, ambitious projects, and swift collapse, the Sui implemented extensive centralizing reforms, including the equal-field system to reduce inequality, standardized coinage, and revamped administrative structures. Economically, the dynasty enjoyed significant prosperity and an agricultural surplus, supporting a growing population, and notably encouraged the spread of Buddhism.

Under both Emperor Wen and his successor, Emperor Yang, the Sui Dynasty embarked on monumental construction projects, most famously the Grand Canal, which linked various economic and agricultural centers to the capitals and northern frontiers. While initially designed to improve grain shipments and military logistics, the canal also facilitated domestic trade, population movement, and cultural exchange for centuries. Other ambitious undertakings included extending the Great Wall and reconstructing Luoyang. However, these mega-projects, along with costly military campaigns—particularly unsuccessful ones against Goguryeo on the Korean peninsula—severely overstretched the dynasty's resources. Heavy taxation and widespread compulsory labor led to popular revolts. The dynasty ultimately disintegrated amid this unrest, culminating in Emperor Yang's assassination in 618 CE, bringing the short-lived but impactful Sui rule to an end after just 37 years.