Northern Wei: Map & History
Wei, known in historiography as the Northern Wei, Tuoba Wei, Yuan Wei and Later Wei, was an imperial dynasty of China ruled by the Tuoba (Tabgach) clan of the Xianbei.
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Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
Wei, known in historiography as the Northern Wei, Tuoba Wei, Yuan Wei and Later Wei, was an imperial dynasty of China ruled by the Tuoba (Tabgach) clan of the Xianbei. The first of the Northern dynasties, it ruled northern China from 386 to 535 AD during the period of the Northern and Southern dynasties. Described as "part of an era of political turbulence and intense social and cultural change", the Northern Wei dynasty is particularly noted for unifying northern China in 439 AD, bringing an end to the chaotic Sixteen Kingdoms period, and strengthening imperial control over the rural landscape via reforms in 485 AD. This was also a period of introduced foreign ideas, such as Buddhism, which became firmly established. The Northern Wei was referred to as "Plaited Barbarians" by writers of the Southern dynasties, who considered themselves the true upholders of Chinese culture.
Modern Countries Once Part of Northern Wei
At its mapped extent, Northern Wei covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Northern Wei's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Northern Wei in Depth
Legacy and culture
The Northern Wei dynasty was the most long-lived and most powerful of the northern dynasties prior to the reunification of China by the Sui dynasty. Its most important legacy was the sweeping reforms introduced under Empress Dowager Feng and continued under her successors. While the dynasty officially ended in 557, these reforms, especially the equal-field landholding system, lasted until the mid-eight century CE. The reforms completely reshaped China's political development as they reverted the trends associated with feudalism in earlier times (c. second to fifth centuries CE) such as the devolution of power to local strongmen and political fragmentation.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Northern Wei (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Northern Wei Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Northern Wei appears, with the other states of the time.
Northern Wei Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 1,166,642 km² in 492 CE.
Northern Wei: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Northern Wei exist?
Northern Wei is dated to 387 CE – 533 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Northern Wei?
The capital of Northern Wei was Shengle (386–398, capital of former Dai, near modern Hohhot), Pingcheng (398–493), Luoyang (493–534), Chang'an (534–535).
How large was Northern Wei at its peak?
At its peak in 492 AD Northern Wei covered about 1,166,642 km².
How did the map of Northern Wei change over time?
Northern Wei appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 400 CE to 500 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.