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The Liao Dynasty was a regime established by the Khitan tribe (Qidan). 民俗节庆门户网站
The Khitan ethnic group was an ancient nomadic tribe that lived in Northern China. They were first mentioned in historical records in 389 during the Northern Wei Period. By the early 7th Century they sought to establish their own state on China's frontier but failed due to the strong resistance of the Tang (618 - 907). As a result, the Khitan tribe was brought under Chinese rule. After the decline of the Tang, the Khitan tribe frequently attacked its neighbors, capturing people from other states which brought a rapid increase in its power.
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In 916, Yelu Abaoji, the chief of the Khitan tribe, established the Khitan Kingdom and proclaimed himself emperor. Historically, Yelu Abaoji was called Emperor Taizu. Two years later, Yelu Abaoji located his capital north of the Xar Moron River and named it Huangdu (Imperial Capital).
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Notes: In 947, Emperor Taizong renamed his dynasty the "Great Liao". In 983, Emperor Shengzong revived the name Khitan. In 1066, Emperor Daozong restored the name the "Great Liao".
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After the founding of the kingdom, Abaoji gradually conquered its weak neighbouring tribes. In 926, he conquered the Uigurs in Ganzhou and captured the Bohai State. 民俗节庆门户网站
The Emperor Taizong (Yelu Deguang), reigned from 926 to 947. During this period, the Liao Dynasty expanded into territory which reached from the Mongolian border and into Manchuria together with the sixteen prefectures below the Great Wall. This area south of the Great wall was to remain outside Chinese control for more than 400 years. This posed a dangerous threat to the Northern Song (960 -1127). However, the region acted as a centre for the mutual exchange of culture between the Chinese and the northern peoples during this period. wish.1155815.com
After obtaining the sixteen prefectures, the Liao founded its alternate capital in Yanjing on the site of modern Beijing. Taking Beijing as their base, the Liao began its expansion to the Central Plains. In 946 they took Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty and proceeded to attack the weak troops of the civil-oriented Song government. However, due to strong resistance in the Central Plains, the attempt was abandoned. www.1155815.cn
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