The Western Regions and the Xiongnu

Arranged chronologically, this book selects more than a hundred historical stories about the Western Regions and the Xiongnu, taking readers into an era of constant warfare and fervent passion.

The term "Western Regions" mainly refers to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, though its borders varied between dynasties. For example, the Protectorate of the Western Regions, established in 60 BCE during the Han dynasty, administered the Tarim Basin and areas east of the Congling Mountains. During the Tang dynasty, the Anxi Protectorate and Beiting Protectorate expanded the territory under Chinese control.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries also had close historical ties to the Western Regions. To some extent, Iran is also considered part of the Western Regions' modern geographical scope.

The Xiongnu were primarily active on the Mongolian Plateau. Later, through war and alliances, their influence gradually spread into the Western Regions.