The Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) was the northern regime established by Tuoba GUI of Xianbei nationality, and it was also the first dynasty of the Northern Dynasty.

In 385, the former Qin Dynasty was divided, and Tuoba GUI became king in Niuchuan, rebuilding the country and making its capital Lesheng (now Hohhot and Linger County, Inner Mongolia).

In 386, the country name was changed to "Wei", which was called "Northern Wei" in history.

In 398, Tuoba GUI, Emperor Daowu, moved the capital to Pingcheng (now Datong City, Shanxi Province).

In 439, Emperor Tuoba Tao unified the north.

In 493, Emperor Xiaowen Tuoba Hong moved to Luoyang to carry out large-scale reforms.

In 534, it was divided into Eastern Wei and Western Wei.

In the eighth year of Wuding in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (550), Levin abolished filial piety, became independent on behalf of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, and the Northern Qi Dynasty was established.

Zen was located in Yuwen Jue in the third year of Emperor Gong in the Western Wei Dynasty (557). The Northern Zhou Dynasty was established and the history of the Northern Wei Dynasty ended.

From 386, when Tuoba GUI, Emperor Daowu, rebuilt the country, until 534, 20 emperors lived and enjoyed the country 148 years.

During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Buddhism rose, developed unprecedentedly, moved the capital to Luoyang, and changed customs, which promoted the feudalization and national integration of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Tuoba claimed to be a descendant of the Yellow Emperor. The birthplace of the Yellow Emperor is Wei in the Warring States Period, and "Wei" has a beautiful meaning. Therefore, naming this country also includes the continuation of Cao Wei and the confrontation with the Eastern Jin regime.

In order to be different from the previous Cao Wei regime, some historical books called it "post-Wei", but because the historians did not call Cao Wei "pre-Wei", the name "post-Wei" was rarely used.

Because of its royal surname, it was later changed to Yuan, so it is also called Tuoba.