Guiyi Prefecture

Guiyi Prefecture
歸義軍
851–1036
StatusDe facto independent Tang prefecture
CapitalGanzhou (Zhangye)
Shazhou (Dunhuang)
Common languagesMiddle Chinese, Old Tibetan, Sogdian
GovernmentMonarchy, Military
History 
• Established
851
• Disestablished
1036
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Tibetan Empire
Dingnan Jiedushi
Xiliangfu
Ganzhou Uyghur Kingdom
Today part ofChina
Guiyi Prefecture
Traditional Chinese歸義
Simplified Chinese归义军
Literal meaningReturning-to-Righteousness Army [District]
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinGuīyì Jūn
Wade–GilesKui-i Chün
Alternative names
Jinshan Kingdom of the Western Han
Traditional Chinese西漢金山國
Simplified Chinese西汉金山国
Literal meaningWestern Han Kingdom of the Golden Mountain(s)
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXī Hàn Jīnshānguó
Wade–GilesHsi Han Chin-shan-kuo
Dunhuang Kingdom of the Western Han
Traditional Chinese西漢敦煌國
Simplified Chinese西汉敦煌国
Literal meaningWestern Han Kingdom of Dunhuang
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXīhàn Dūnhuángguó
Wade–GilesHsi Han Tun-huang-kuo

Guiyi Prefecture (AD 848–1036), also known as the Jinshan Kingdom of the Western Han (909–911) and the Dunhuang Kingdom of the Western Han (911–914), was a Chinese military district that was usually de facto independent but nominally subordinate to the Tang dynasty, the successive Five Dynasties, and the Northern Song dynasty. Guiyi Prefecture was controlled by the Zhang family from the second half of the 9th century to the 10th century and then the Cao family during the 10th and 11th century. Guiyi Prefecture was usually headquartered in Shazhou (沙州), modern-day Dunhuang.