The Tang dynasty was one of the most powerful in Chinese history. In this period, China becomes the the most prominent civilization in East Asia—with links east to Korea and Japan and west, along the Silk Route.
618–907 C.E.
Beginner's Guide
What is the Tang dynasty?
videos + essays
We're adding new content all the time!
Han Gan, Night-Shining White
Han’s Night-Shining White exemplifies the expressive power of the line, the backbone of Chinese painting.
Tang Yue ware
This begonia-shaped porcelain bowl attempts to achieve purity and perfection in its shape, thinness, and glaze
An introduction to tomb figurines, Tang dynasty
Musicians on camels, women on horseback, and terrifying guardians—these are some of the figurines found in Tang dynasty tombs
Buddha preaching at Vulture Peak embroidery
This embroidery, discovered at Dunhuang, dates from China’s Tang dynasty (618–907) and depicts the Buddha preaching at Vulture Peak – in Buddhist tradition a favorite retreat of the Buddha and his disciples.
Tomb figures of a man and woman on horseback
In China, people made tomb figurines as replacements for real objects so that the deceased would enjoy their company or service in the afterlife.
A silk painting of sacred Buddhist images from Dunhuang
A fragmentary silk painting tells us about Buddhist art along the Silk Roads, numerous Buddhist sacred icons, and the complex life of an object after its creation.
Dunhuang Historical Art, Cave 323
Mogao Cave 323 at Dunhuang tells a version of the origins of Chinese Buddhism across its many wall paintings.
Zither (qin) inscribed with the name “Dragon’s Moan”
Qin have for centuries been valued as a symbol of high culture by the Chinese elite class.
A Tang silk brocade
Chinese fabrics—typically silks—were traded widely and became one of the most popular goods on the Silk Road.
Tang dynasty (618–907), an introduction
The Tang dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history.
Figure of a seated court lady
ThisTang dynasty figure tells us something about human beauty & its moment in time
