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