Introduction

Map of Tang Empire

The Tang Dynasty was considered to be the greatest golden age for Chinese art and literature, and a period of progress and stability. This dynasty was in power from 618 – 907 AD. (289 years). The dynasty in power before the Tang was the Sui Dynasty. After the Tang Dynasty ended, it was followed by the ‘Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdom’ period. The capital of the Tang dynasty is the Chang ‘an (present day Xi-an) which is the most famous city in China in that time. The size of the population at that time can be estimated to about 80 million people. It was a time when art, culture, and trade continued to flourish and expand.