<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In the early 5th century, China entered a period known as the Northern and Southern dynasties, in which parallel regimes ruled the northern and southern halves of the country . In the south, the Eastern Jin gave way to the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang and finally Chen . Each of these Southern dynasties were led by Han Chinese ruling families and used Jiankang (modern Nanjing) as the capital . They held off attacks from the north and preserved many aspects of Chinese civilization, while northern barbarian regimes began to sinify . </P> <P> In the north, the last of the Sixteen Kingdoms was extinguished in 439 by the Northern Wei, a kingdom founded by the Xianbei, a nomadic people who unified northern China . The Northern Wei eventually split into the Eastern and Western Wei, which then became the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou . These regimes were dominated by Xianbei or Han Chinese who had married into Xianbei families . During this period most Xianbei people adopted Han surnames, eventually leading to complete assimilation into the Han . </P> <P> Despite the division of the country, Buddhism spread throughout the land . In southern China, fierce debates about whether Buddhism should be allowed were held frequently by the royal court and nobles . By the end of the era, Buddhists and Taoists had become much more tolerant of each other . </P>

When did the golden age of china end