Battle of Loulan

Battle of Loulan
Part of the Han–Xiongnu War
DateDecember, 108 BC
Location
Result Han victory
Belligerents
Loulan Han dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Zhao Ponu
Strength
Unknown 700 light cavalries

The Battle of Loulan (Chinese: 樓蘭之戰) in 108 BC marks the earliest military venture by the Western Han dynasty into the Tarim Basin, after a conflict with the Xiongnu-aligned Loulan Kingdom and Jushi Kingdom. The Western Han launched an attack by first arresting the king of Loulan, and turned on the offense against Jushi. The battle resulted in the submission of both Wusun and Dayuan, and an increased role, reputation, and status for the Han dynasty in Inner Asia.