kingdom · China, Tibet and Mongolia
Zhai Wei
Origins
The Zhai clan led Dingling tribesmen, a Turkic-speaking people related to the later Gaoche, who had been settled in northern China. After the collapse of Former Qin, Zhai Liao switched allegiance several times before taking Huatai (modern Hua County, Henan) in 388 and proclaiming himself Heavenly King of Wei.
Rule and society
Zhai Wei was a small military state holding a stretch of the Yellow River valley between Later Yan and the Eastern Jin. Little is known of its administration. Zhai Liao died in 391 and was succeeded by his son Zhai Zhao.
Decline and legacy
In 392 Murong Chui of Later Yan forced a crossing of the Yellow River, defeated Zhai Zhao and took Huatai. Zhai Zhao fled to Western Yan and was later killed, and the Dingling of the region were absorbed into Later Yan.
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- Zhai Wei was conquered by Later Yan392 CE
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Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Zhai Wei. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhai-wei
- MLA
- “Zhai Wei.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhai-wei. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Zhai Wei.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhai-wei.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Zhai Wei’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/zhai-wei (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻