The Tang Dynasty

In May 618，Li Yuan took the throne and became Emperor Gaozu.The Tang Dynasty（618一907）was established，which opened a new age of prosperity and innovations in arts and technology.Buddhism，which had gradually been established in China from the lst century，became the predominant religion and was adopted by the royal family and many of the common people.

Chang’an，the national capital，is thought to have been the world’s biggest city at the time.The Tang and the Han are often referred to as the most prosperous periods in Chinese history.

The Tang，like the Han，kept the trade routes open to the west and south and there was extensive trade with Picture 1-7 Emperor Taizong（599 distant foreign countries and many foreign merchants 649）of the Tang Dynasty settled in China.

From about 860 the Tang Dynasty began to decline due to a series of rebellions within China itself，and in the previously subject Kingdom of Nanzhao（738-937）to the south.

One of the warlords，Huang Chao（820-884），captured Guangzhou in 879，killing most of the 200，000inhabitants including most of the large colonies of foreign merchant families there.In late 880，Luoyang surrendered to him and on January 5，881 he conquered Chang’an.Emperor Xizong（862-888）fled to Chengdu and Huang established a new temporary regime，which was eventually destroyed by Tang forces.However，another time of political chaos followed.

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