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The Tang dynasty (/ t ɑː ŋ /,; Chinese: 唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
- Beginning of The Tang Dynasty
- Empress Wu
- Emperor Xuanzong
- Tang Dynasty Poets
- Tang Dynasty Printing
- Buddhism
- The Fall of The Tang Dynasty
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At the beginning of the sixth century A.D., north and south Chinawere divided, but would be united through conquest by the Sui Dynasty, which ruled from 581 to 617 A.D. The Sui were led by General Yang Jian of the unified north. The Sui, however, lasted for only two emperors before falling to Li Yuan, founder of the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan was the co...
Taizong’s son, Gaozong, became emperor in 650 A.D., but spent most of his rule under the control of Empress Wu. Wu was one of Taizong’s concubines, sent away to a convent after his death, but Gaozong—long in love with her—initiated her return to the court. Wu won his favor over his wife, who was dismissed against the wishes of Gaozong’s advisors. I...
Empress Wu’s grandson, Emperor Xuanzong, is renowned for the cultural heights reached during his rule from 712 to 756 A.D. He welcomed Buddhist and Taoist clerics to his court, including teachers of Tantric Buddhism, a recent form of the religion. Xuanzong had a passion for music and horses. To this end he owned a troupe of dancing horses and invit...
The Tang Dynasty is well remembered for the era’s contributions to poetry, partly the result of Xuanzong’s creation of an academy for poets, which helped preserve over 48,900 poems written by well over 2,000 poets of the era. One of the best remembered is Li Bai, born in 701 A.D. A Daoist recluse who left home at an early age, Li Bai spent most of ...
Woodblock printing was developed in the early Tang era with examples of its development dating to around 650 A.D. More common use is found during the ninth century, with calendars, children’s books, test guides, charm manuals, dictionaries and almanacs. Commercial books began to be printed around 762 A.D. In 835 A.D., there was a ban on private pri...
Woodblock printing is credited for helping make Buddhism a regular part of ordinary Chinese life by giving Buddhist monks the opportunity to mass-produce texts. Monasteries had gained power under Empress Wu, though Xuanzong tried to temper that. Monasteries insinuated themselves in many aspects of life, including schools for children, lodging for t...
The Tang Dynasty after 820 A.D. was full of palace intrigue marked by plotting eunuchs assassinating one emperor after another. In 835 A.D., Emperor Wenzong hatched a plot with his chancellor and general to put an end to eunuch plotting. Their plan, later known as “The Sweet Dew incident,” led to the murder of 1,000 government officials, as well as...
Learn about the Tang Dynasty, a golden age of Chinese arts and culture that lasted from 618 to 906 A.D. Explore its history, achievements, poetry, printing and Buddhism.
- Missy Sullivan
- 2 min
May 21, 2024 · Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), Chinese dynasty that succeeded the short-lived Sui dynasty (581–618), developed a successful form of government and administration on the Sui model, and stimulated a cultural and artistic flowering that amounted to a golden age.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Emily Mark
- The Rise of the Tang Dynasty. After the fall of the Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE), the country went through a period of changing rule in which the Wei, Jin, and Wu Hu dynasties governed in succession.
- Gaozu & Taizong. Gaozu was an effective monarch who reformed the policies which had led to abuses under the Sui Dynasty. It was Gaozu who implemented the bureaucratic practices which are still used in China today.
- Wu Zetian. In around 638 CE Taizong chose a beautiful young 14-year-old girl named Wu Zhao as one of his concubines. She was so lovely, she attracted the attention of his son.
- Emperor Xuanzong. Emperor Zhongzong was poisoned by his wife, Lady Wei, so that her son could rule, but Wei and her son were murdered by Wu's daughter, Princess Taiping, who put her brother Ruizong, on the throne.
Learn about the history, culture, and achievements of the Tang Dynasty (618–907), one of the most prosperous and influential periods in Chinese history. Explore the achievements of its emperors, poets, painters, potters, and Buddhists, as well as the challenges and conflicts that led to its decline.
The Tang dynasty (618–907) is considered a golden age in Chinese history. It succeeded the short-lived Sui dynasty (581–618), which reunified China after almost four hundred years of fragmentation.
Tang dynasty, or T’ang dynasty, (618–907) Chinese dynasty that succeeded the short-lived Sui and became a golden age for poetry, sculpture, and Buddhism. The Tang capital of Chang’an became a great international metropolis, with traders and embassies from Central Asia, Arabia, Persia, Korea, and Japan passing through.
