* 1211-1215: Genghis Khan launches a massive invasion of the Jin dynasty, the main Chinese state in northern China. The Mongols capture the Jin capital, Beijing, and force the Jin emperor to flee south.
* 1219-1221: Genghis Khan invades the Song dynasty, the main Chinese state in southern China. The Mongols capture several major cities, but are unable to conquer the entire Song dynasty.
* 1227-1229: Genghis Khan's grandson, Ögedei Khan, launches a second invasion of the Song dynasty. The Mongols capture the Song capital, Hangzhou, and force the Song emperor to surrender.
* 1235-1237: Ögedei Khan launches a third invasion of the Song dynasty. The Mongols capture the Sichuan Basin, the last major Song stronghold, and force the Song dynasty to surrender completely.