Tang Dynasty (618-907)

The Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), with its capital at Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), is regarded as the glorious height of Chinese imperial era. The Tang dynasty emperors adopted liberal policies that enabled the prosperity of China's feudal society getting to its peak. Agriculture, handicrafts and commerce flourished; technologies for textile manufacturing and dyeing, porcelain making, smelting and printing were remarkably developed; and land and water transportation greatly improved. Stimulated by the cultures of India and the Arabia, the Tang saw a flowering multi-culture. By the 7th century, the Tang gained dominance over the Tarim basin, and even extended its influence to many city-states in Central Asia. During this period, the Tang also succeeded in establishing the strong economic and cultural ties with many countries, including Japan, Korea, India, Persia and Arabia.

The first emperor initiated the system ruling the state by dividing the country into about 300 prefectures under the emperors' direct central control through the appointed intellectual officials, which could not challenge the central government. Like the Sui dynasty, the government system was still supported by a large number of Confucius intellectuals selected through civil service examinations. In the Tang dynasty, this system worked very well and drew he best talents into government. The new political systems waived the potential threats from the aristocratic families and warlords, and enabled the empire to be quite stable for a remarkable long time.

A system of equal land allotments to the male population increased the agriculture production that was the backbone for a prosperous farming civilization. The taxes on the allotments were the Tang's greatest source of income, and increased the Tang's strength. With the strong nation wealth, the Tang dynasty powerful army composed of volunteer farmer-soldiers, helped the Tang empire extended its control beyond traditional China proper through several successful expedition. Its territory was greater than that of the Han.

The creative Tang dynasty created a vibrant, colorful culture. The Tang dynasty people have great tolerance to outside influence. During the Tang dynasty, many merchants, envoys, missionaries, and students from Central Asian states and neighboring countries such as Japan and Korea traveled to Chang'an along the famous Silk Road. Because of the presence of many foreigners, a many religions were practiced in the empire, including Nestorian Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Islam. None of them received a large Chinese audience. However, foreign clothing, exotic food and foreign sports games like polo became popular among wealthy people and nobles. Musical instruments and melodies from India and Arabia enriched traditional Chinese music.

The Tang dynasty witnessed the flourish of literature. It was believed that the Tang dynasty was the golden age of Chinese poetry. Poetry is the way used by people to express the ideas and feelings in a very concise way. The most famous poets of this age were Wang Wei, Li Bo, Du Fu, and Bo Juyi. The poems composed by them are regarded as the most precious literature legacy.

During the early Tang dynasty, Buddhism was at its peak. Later on, Buddhism declined, while Confucianism became dominant. Many Confucian scholar-officials regarded Buddhism with growing influence on the grass-roots level as a threat to the stability of country in China, and strongly attempt to eliminate it. In the end of the Tang dynasty, a full-scale persecution of Buddhism was started. Many temples were demolished and Buddhists were forced to give up their faiths.

By the middle of 8th century, the rebellion of An Lushan, the general with nomadic descendent, devastated the Tang dynasty. It took years for the Tang dynasty to restore peace. However, the rebellion marked the decline of the Tang dynasty. In later Tang dynasty, tyranny, economic exploitation and popular rebellions weakened the Tang. As Chinese said, the disunion always followed a long time unity. In 907 AD, northern invaders terminated the glorious Tang dynasty. China was fragmented into short-lived five northern dynasties and ten southern states in next 50 years.