Western Yan (84-394) is a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.

It is founded by Murong Hong in 384 in the aftermath of Former Qin's defeat by Jin Dynasty (265-420) at the Battle of Fei River, with the stated intent of permitting the Xianbei, whom Former Qin's emperor Fu Jiān had relocated to Former Qin's capital region after destroying Former Yan in 370.

It initially also is intended to rescue the last Former Yan emperor, Murong Wei, until he is executed by Fu Jiān in 385.

It is a state that is characterized by extreme political instability and internal fighting, as all seven of its rulers (during a short span of ten years) die of unnatural causes.

After eviscerating Former Qin, the people of the state abandon the Guanzhong region and head east back toward their homeland, but eventually settle down in modern Shanxi.

It is destroyed in 394 as Later Yan's emperor Murong Chui wants to reunite the people formerly of Yan and conquers it.Some rulers of the Western Yan declare themselves emperors while some declare themselves wang (translatable as either "king" or "prince").