Civil war breaks out in China, as various provincial rulers attempt to take the imperial throne, leading to the complete collapse of the Han Empire. Another period of chaos troubles China, called the age of the Three Kingdoms, lasting almost 400 years, from 220 to 618 AD. There was much fighting between the states of Wu (south China), Wei (the most powerful kingdom, based in north China) and Shu (based in Szechuan province). During this time, clans of Mongols and Turks break free from Chinese domination and themselves invade and occupy northern China. The emperors of the T'ang dynasty would finally reunite the country again.

This period of nomad invaders, much as in the Roman empire, marked the end of the ancient culture of China. Although many ancient traditions survived, especially in the south, it was also a time of great change. Liang Wu-Ti promotes the Buddhist religion in China. While Taoism and Confucianism were never completely replaced, Buddhism eventually becomes the most important religion in China. One of China's greatest poets, T'ao Ch'ien (375-427 AD), lived at this time.

In Japan, the various small states were gradually unified, and by 400 AD, a strong kingdom with a capital at Yamato existed. This period saw much influence from China, mostly introduced indirectly through cultural contact with Korea, including Confucianism and Buddhism, weaving, metalworking, tanning and shipbuilding.

The Thai kingdom of Nan Chao in southern China is established.

Tea is first mentioned in a Chinese dictionary from 350 AD, called "erh ya", but the plant must have been grown much earlier than this.