Eastern Göktürks

State · 587–632 CE · at its largest around 617 CE

Turkic horsemen of the Mongolian steppe who controlled Silk Road trade and played Chinese dynasties against each other, demanding tribute in silk. Tang Taizong's armies shattered the khaganate, and he took the steppe title 'Heavenly Khagan' for himself.

On its lands while it lasted

• Ordu-Baliq (c. 587–840 CE): Capital of Eastern Göktürks (587–632), Western Göktürks (587–657), Uyghur Khaganate (750–840).
• Zhaozhou Bridge (c. 605 CE): Open-spandrel segmental stone arch bridge designed by Li Chun under the Sui; the world's oldest standing bridge of its type.

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