The 1850s saw the beginning of the Tàipíng rebellion, as well as continued war between China and European powers in the Second Opium War.
1850
- 1850 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- February 25: The Dàoguāng 道光 Emperor dies
1851
- 1851 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- January 31: Dàoguāng era ends
- February 1: Xiánfēng era begins
- Taiping Rebellion begins
- Taiping Yuánnián era begins
1852
- 1852 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- April - May: Tàipíng forces lay siege to Guīlín 桂林
1853
- 1853 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- Janunary 12: Tàipíng army occupies Wǔchāng 武昌
- March 20: Tàipíng army seizes Nánjīng 南京
1854
- 1854 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- Chinese Maritime Customs Service established in Shànghǎi 上海
- March 31: Treaty of Kanagawa signed between US and Japan
- November 27: Kaei era ends, Ansei era begins in Japan
1855
- 1855 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- March 17: Tàipíng army invades Anhuī 安徽
1856
- 1856 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- October 8: The "Arrow incident" occurs, which would lead to the Second Opium War
1857
- 1857 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Political Events
- March 3: The United Kingdom and France formally declare war on China
1858
- 1858 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Dìxián 諦閑, Yuèxiá 月霞 and Kāng Yǒuwéi 康有為 are born
- Xūyún 虛雲 becomes a novice in Fúzhōu 福州
- Political Events
- May 28: Treaty of Aigun signed
- June: Treaties of Tianjin 天津條約 are signed, temporarily ending Second Opium War
- July 29: Harris Treaty signed between US and Japan
1859
- 1859 in the Western calendar is roughly equivalent to:
- Buddhist Events
- Timothy Richard 李提摩太 is baptized in Wales
- Political Events
- June 25: The Dagu forts 大沽炮台 repel the British naval force at Tiānjīn 天津