Map Introduction

The historical evolution of the various Xianbei tribes during the Three Kingdoms period was primarily reflected in tribal divisions and the establishment of regimes:

Eastern Xianbei

Mainly composed of the Murong, Duan, and Yuwen tribes, they were initially active in the Liaodong region. During the Western Jin Dynasty, the Duan tribe, due to its relatively good relations with the Central Plains, was enfeoffed as the Duke of Liaoxi. It later established the Duan Qi regime (not counted among the Sixteen Kingdoms), which was eventually conquered by the Former Yan. Following the Yongjia Disturbances of the Western Jin, the Murong tribe entered the Central Plains and established regimes such as the Former Yan, Later Yan, and Western Yan. The Yuwen tribe engaged in prolonged conflict with the Murong tribe in Liaodong and was ultimately defeated by them.

Northern Xianbei

Centered around the Tuoba tribe, they were initially active in the northern Greater Khingan Range before migrating to the grasslands of the Yin Mountains. During the Western Jin period, they established the Dai state, which was later conquered by the Former Qin. After the Di leader Fu Jian's defeat at the Battle of Fei River, Tuoba Gui restored the state and established the Northern Wei, which gradually unified northern China.

Western Xianbei

Primarily distributed in the Hexi Corridor and the Longxi region, including tribes such as the Qifu and Tufa. Among them, the Qifu tribe established the Western Qin regime, and the Tufa tribe established the Southern Liang regime. Both were eventually conquered by the Northern Wei.

Additionally, some Xianbei tribes, such as a branch of the Murong, also established the Tuyuhun Kingdom (in the modern Qinghai region), which became a significant power on the Tibetan Plateau.