Yān is a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history.

Its capital is Ji (nowadays Beijing, also known as Yanjing, "capital of Yan").

During the Warring States, the capital is also moved to its lower capital at Xiadu at times, which is the largest city in terms of area at this time.

The history of Yan begins in the Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE).

After the authority of the Zhou king declines during the Spring and Autumn Period (771 to 403 BCE), Yan survives and becomes one of the strongest states in China.

During the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE), Yan is one of the last states to be conquered by the armies of Qin Shihuang: Yan falls in 222 BCE, immediately before the founding of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE).

Yan experiences a brief period of independence after the collapse of the Qin dynasty, but is eventually absorbed by the victorious Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 9 CE).