The Tang Dynasty: China’s Golden Age

The Tang Dynasty (7th–9th century) stands out as a golden era in Chinese history, renowned for its open-minded culture and flourishing arts. During this time, the Chinese society were filled with peace, prosperity, and the growth of distinctive cultural practices that have endured through the centuries. As Tang society grew more prosperous, people turned to spiritual and cultural pursuits, with tea emerging as a key part of daily life. Lu Yu’s Classic of Tea inspired refined tea practices, and tea became deeply rooted in elite culture, appreciated by scholars, monks, and even the emperor himself. This was the start of China’s rich tea culture, and the Tang period’s poetry, art, and literature celebrated tea as a source of harmony and a pathway to a calm, mindful state of mind. Today, we’ll give a brief overview of the Tang Dynasty to see how its prosperity led to the rise of a tea era.

(First, let’s dive into the beefy bits of the rise and fall of the Tang emperors.)

Emperor Tai Zong’s Prosperous Reign

Much of the early stability of the Tang Dynasty is credited to Emperor Tai Zong. Though he took the throne by force, his rule brought great reforms, including the “Reign of Zhenguan” period. Tai Zong supported farmers through the Equal-Field System, which gave land to families to grow their own food, while a fair taxation system encouraged productivity. These policies led to a stable economy, food abundance, and public well-being.

Empress Wu Zetian’s Rule and the Struggle for Power

After Emperor Tai Zong’s son, Emperor GaoZong, became unwell, Empress Wu Zetian gradually took charge, and later declared herself China’s only female emperor. Although her rule was ambitious, it continued the Tang Dynasty’s prosperity and had a significant cultural impact, especially in promoting women’s influence in politics.

In her later years, however, Empress Wu faced growing opposition and eventually abdicated, handing the throne to her son, Emperor Zhong Zong. But Zhong Zong’s rule was brief; his wife, Empress Wei, along with their ambitious daughter, plotted to take full control and poisoned him to seize power. (Poor Zhong Zong...) Their ruthless rule was cut short when another prince, Emperor Xuan Zong, joined forces with court allies to overthrow them, restoring the Tang family’s power.

The Height of the Tang Dynasty Under Emperor Xuan Zong

Under Emperor Xuan Zong, the Tang Dynasty reached its peak. His era, known as the “KaiYuan Era,” saw China at the height of its cultural, economic, and political influence. Chang’an, the capital, was a bustling center of global trade. Merchants from Japan, Persia, and Rome thrived in its markets, and China’s Silk Road connections brought wealth and prestige.

Commerce and Night Markets: A Vibrant Economy

During the Tang Dynasty, commerce flourished to an unprecedented extent, transforming China into a global trade center. This surge in trade was largely due to the Silk Road—a network of land and sea routes connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Goods flowed in and out of the empire, and as a result, Tang China saw an influx of foreign traders and envoys, especially in the capital city, Chang’an.

Chang’an became one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities, where merchants, diplomats, scholars, and craftsmen from regions as far away as Persia, India, and Rome could be found living and working alongside locals. This cultural exchange brought an incredible diversity of goods, ideas, and customs into China, creating an atmosphere of innovation and openness that enriched the economy and culture alike.

The Power of “Made in China”

The Tang Dynasty was famous for its high-quality goods, with certain industries becoming global icons of Chinese craftsmanship. Silk, for instance, was a luxurious export that drew admiration from all over the world. Chinese silk makers were renowned for their skill and creativity, producing fabrics with intricate designs that were highly prized by foreign buyers. Silk production, in turn, fueled other industries such as sericulture (silk farming) and textile manufacturing, creating jobs and income across the empire.

Ceramics, too, were a major Tang export. Tang potters produced vibrant green-glazed “celadon” and multicolored “Tang Sancai” (three-colored ware) ceramics, which became popular luxury items among foreign elites. These beautiful, high-quality ceramics were widely traded along the Silk Road, making Tang porcelain a household name across Central Asia and the Middle East. The growing demand for Chinese ceramics led to the rise of dedicated kiln towns, creating economic hubs and generating employment for countless artisans and labourers.

The Rise of Night Markets

As trade and commerce grew, the traditional day markets could no longer keep up with the bustling flow of goods and people. To meet the needs of an increasingly urbanized and prosperous society, night markets began to spring up in major cities, including Chang’an and Luoyang. Unlike the structured day markets, night markets were vibrant, lively spaces where people could trade, eat, and socialize well into the evening. Brightly lit with oil lamps and decorated with colorful fabrics, these markets were a sensory experience full of noise, lights, and excitement.

Night markets sold a wide variety of goods, from everyday items to rare and luxurious imports, making them a one-stop shop for all kinds of shoppers. Vendors offered food, tea, spices, textiles, ceramics, and jewelry, while performers and musicians entertained the crowds. Tea houses were popular attractions, where people gathered to enjoy tea, share news, and relax. Tea was no longer just a drink; it was a social ritual, and tea houses played a central role in Tang urban life. For foreign visitors, the night markets were a fascinating look into Chinese culture and society.

The Impact on Tang Society and Beyond

The success of Tang commerce and night markets did more than just grow the economy; it transformed Chinese society. The bustling trade created a new class of wealthy merchants and urban dwellers, which brought new ideas and lifestyles to the forefront of society. Trade also contributed to a stronger, more stable state as tax revenues increased, allowing the Tang government to fund public projects, maintain strong defenses, and support the arts and education.

Moreover, China’s dynamic trade network was a model for early globalization. The exchange of goods, ideas, and customs brought about by the Silk Road helped shape not only Chinese culture but also the cultures of countries along the trade routes. Persian silverware, Indian spices, Roman glassware, and Arabian horses found their way into Tang China, enriching its culture, cuisine, and aesthetic tastes.

The Tang Dynasty’s vibrant markets and economic innovations left an enduring legacy. The concept of bustling urban markets filled with diverse goods and lively interactions set the tone for trade practices in later Chinese dynasties, and the global demand for Chinese goods continued to grow. Today, China’s historic tea houses and night markets are a cultural echo of the Tang Dynasty, symbolizing an era when China was a thriving center of commerce, culture, and international exchange.