Northern Qi in the context of "Northern Zhou"

The history of the Great Wall of China began when fortifications built by various states during the Spring and Autumn (771–476 BC) and Warring States periods (475–221 BC) were connected by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, to protect his newly founded Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) against incursions by nomads from Inner Asia. The walls were built of rammed earth, constructed using forced labour, and by 212 BC ran from Gansu to the coast of southern Manchuria.

Later dynasties adopted different policies towards northern frontier defense. The Han (202 BC – 220 AD), the Northern Qi (550–574), the Jurchen-ruled Jin (1115–1234), and particularly the Ming (1369–1644) were among those that rebuilt, re-manned, and expanded the Walls, although they rarely followed Qin's routes. The Han extended the fortifications furthest to the west, the Qi built about 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) of new walls, while the Sui mobilised over a million men in their wall-building efforts. Conversely, the Tang (618–907), the Song (960–1279), the Yuan (1271–1368), and the Qing (1644–1912) mostly did not build frontier walls, instead opting for other solutions to the Inner Asian threat like military campaigning and diplomacy.

Stone lanterns (灯籠/灯篭/灯楼; Chinese: dēnglóng; Japanese: tōrō, meaning 'light basket', 'light tower') are a type of traditional East Asian lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and Japan. In Japan, tōrō were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha. Their use in Shinto shrines and also private homes started during the Heian period (794–1185).

Stone lanterns have been known in China as early as the Han dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE), and prevailed from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties all the way up to the Tang Dynasty, when they were introduced to Japan. The earliest known extant stone lantern in China is the Northern Qi (550-577) stone lantern in the remains of Tongzi Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Other early stone lanterns which date from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) remain extant in several temples around China, such as the stone lantern in Faxing Temple in Zhangzi, Shanxi which was built in 773.

Liaodong Commandery (Chinese: 遼東郡) was a commandery in imperial China that existed from the Warring States period to the Northern dynasties. It was located in modern Liaoning, to the east of the Liao River.

The commandery was created by the state of Yan on its northern border during the Warring States period. In Western Han dynasty, It administered 18 counties, including Xiangping (襄平), Xinchang (新昌), Wulü (無慮), Wangping (望平), Fang (房), Houcheng (候城), Liaodui (遼隊), Liaoyang (遼陽), Xiandu (險瀆), Jujiu (居就), Gaoxian (高顯), Anshi (安市), Wuci (武次), Pingguo (平郭), Xi'anping (西安平), Wen (文), Fanhan (番汗), and Dashi (沓氏). In 2 AD, the population was 272,539, in 55,972 households. In Eastern Han, 11 counties remained, including Xiangping, Xinchang, Wulü, Wangping, Houcheng, Anshi, Pingguo, Xi'anshi, Wen, Fanhan and Dashi. In 140 AD, the population was 64,158 households. During the reign of Emperor Xian, management of Buyeo affairs was transferred from Xuantu Commandery to Liaodong. In the Cao Wei dynasty, Xiangping in Liaodong became the seat of an office known as the "Colonel of the Dongyi" (東夷校尉), which was in charge of the military and relationships with the local peoples. In early Western Jin, the territory became the Liaodong Principality (遼東國). In 280 AD, the commandery had 8 counties, and a population of 5,400 households. A number of new commanderies was established in the region throughout the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern dynasties periods, and by the time of Northern Wei, Liaodong only consisted of 2 counties, namely Xiangping and Xinchang. It was eventually dissolved during Northern Qi.

The Book of Qi (Qí Shū) or Book of Southern Qi (Nán Qí Shū) is a history of the Chinese dynasty Southern Qi covering the period from 479 to 502, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories of Chinese history. It was written by Xiao Zixian during the succeeding Liang Dynasty. This book was the only one of the Twenty-Four Histories to be authored by a member of the chronicled dynasty's ruling house – Xiao Zixian was a grandson of Emperor Gao, founder of Southern Qi,

When first submitted to Emperor Wu of Liang, the book was known simply as the Book of Qi. After the Book of Northern Qi (the history of the later Northern Qi dynasty) was written, this book became known as the Book of Southern Qi so that the two could be distinguished. The book contained 60 volumes when written, but one preface was later lost.