Northern Zhou

Zhou
557–581 AD
Northern Zhou
The Northern Zhou () after conquest of Northern Qi in 577
CapitalChang'an
GovernmentMonarchy
Emperor 
• 557
Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou
• 557–560
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou
• 560–578
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
• 578–579
Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou
• 579–581
Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou
History 
• Established
15 February 557
• Disestablished
4 March 581 AD
Area
5771,500,000 km2 (580,000 sq mi)
CurrencyChinese coin,
Chinese cash
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Western Wei
Northern Qi
Sui dynasty
Today part ofChina
Mongolia

Zhou (//), known in historiography as the Northern Zhou (Chinese: 北周; pinyin: Běi Zhōu), was a Xianbei-led dynasty of China (founded by member of Yuwen tribe of Xiongnu origin) that lasted from 557 to 581 AD. One of the Northern dynasties of China's Northern and Southern dynasties period, it succeeded the Western Wei dynasty and was eventually overthrown by the Sui dynasty.