Tang Dynasty - Xian, China

Ancient Capitalmain streets that ran their course from north to
Try to imagine 1400 years ago in the glory dayssouth.
of Tang, Xian (then known as Changan) was 6Celebration
times bigger than Imperial Rome and 40 timesLeisure and celebration times were important in
larger than medieval London.the Tang Dynasty. Chang'an was a capital city
that was full of celebration and livelihood at many
Statisticstimes. Traditional Chinese holidays such as the
Tang was an imperial dynasty which ruled overChinese New Year, Cold Food Festival and Lantern
China in the years of 618 A.D. to 907 A.D. ThisFestivals were always large events. During the
dynasty was preceded by the Sui Dynasty andLantern Festival, the city curfew in Chang'an
was later followed by the Five Dynasties and Tenwould be lifted for the three days of celebration.
Kingdoms Period in China history. The TangAside from the traditional Chinese holidays, there
Dynasty was founded by the Li family, whowere sixty-nine grand carnivals bestowed
overtook power of the Empire during the collapsenationwide by the imperial throne. These carnivals
of the Sui Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty ruled withall took place between the years of 628 A.D. to
Chang'an, or the present day Xi'an, as its capital758 A.D.
Chang'an was previously the capital city in ChinaModern Xian
for both the Han Dynasty and Jin Dynasty whoThe government of Xian today has pledged to
were from a much earlier time than the Tangreturn the city the glory days of the Tang
Dynasty. When the Tang Dynasty took Chang'an,Dynasty and the development of the city is
or present day Xi'an, as their capital city, this cityastonishing. As an example, Da Ming Palace was 5
had roughly ten kilometers of walls that ran fromtimes bigger than the Forbidden City in Beijing and
the east to west and eight kilometers of wallsis currently under reconstruction just north of the
that ran from the north to the south.City Walls. With a perimeter of more than 8km
Splendorthe complex is set to be a true architectural
The royal palace, Da Min Gong, was located withinmaster piece and another fabulous reminder of
these walls in the city of Chang'an and was 5the incredible Tang Dynasty reign.
times bigger than the Forbiddon city. Chang'anTips for Xian Travel
was the center of China's central government in1. The Shaanxi History is free and offers an
the Tang Dynasty era and the city was one thatexcellent exhibit of the Tang Dynasty
was filled with luxuries and splendor. Also within2. The Western Market of the Silkroad has
the city, there were fourteen main streets thatreopened 1400 years later on the exact spot
ran their course from east to west and eleven3.