Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty (618-907) is the most glistening historic period in Chinese history. During this glorious period, the politics, economy, culture and military strength reached an unprecedented advanced level. Its capital, Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), the most populous city in the world at that time, became a cultural and international trade center.

Tang is a period that spread its culture and absorbed the cultures of surrounding states - a golden age of cosmopolitan culture. Buddhism, which had gradually been established in China from the first century, became the predominant religion and was adopted by the imperial family and many of the commoners.

At that time, Chang'an, along with Luoyang and Guangzhou, and other trading centers, were all home to foreign communities. They brought with them new religions, food, music and traditions. A great part of Tang aristocracy even was of Non-Chinese origin, and merchants from Inner Asia dwelled Chang'an. Cultural relations were established with many countries include Japan, Korea, India, Persia and Arabia.

This period produced perhaps China's two most famous poets - Du Fu and Li Bai. There was another famous woman in Tang Dynasty - Wu Zetian. She was the only female emperor in Chinese history.