Map of East Asia from 176 to 174 BC: the Xiongnu at their greatest extent from the Tarim to the land of the Donghu, the oasis states, Jushi, the Hujie, Dingling, Gekun and Wuhuan as their subjects, the Wise King of the Right against the Yuezhi and the Yuezhi moving west to the Ili, with the Han and Gojoseon
176–174 BC: In a letter of 176 BC Bagatur (Modu Chanyu) tells the Han court that the Wise King of the Right has destroyed the Yuezhi, and that Loulan, the Wusun, the Hujie and twenty-six states around them have all become Xiongnu. The Yuezhi move west to the Ili. In 174 BC Bagatur dies and his son Laoshang succeeds him. Modern map; no source describes the northern edge of the realm, and the borders in the steppe are approximate.
Plate III in the Atlas → © Emre-E Yavuz 2026

Who ruled

And beyond the steppe

  • China Western Han Emperor Wen 180 BC–157 BC

Western steppe