Tang China: A Cosmopolitan Dynasty opens at Guimet Museum in Paris

The Guimet Museum in Paris, France is inviting visitors to explore the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty by offering a unique glimpse into the rich history of China's ancient capital, Chang'an.

The exhibition, titled Tang China: A Cosmopolitan Dynasty, runs from Nov 20 to March 3.

Curators Arnaud Bertrand and Huei-Chung Tsao introduced the exhibition during a news briefing on Nov 18, where they emphasized the historical significance of the Tang Dynasty (618–907).

This golden age is celebrated as a time of cultural openness, artistic innovation, and economic prosperity.

A global hub

Chang'an, or Long Peace, was a bustling imperial city and vibrant symbol of Tang Dynasty.

At its height, it was the world's most densely populated city, with more than 1 million people living in an 87-square-kilometre area, Tsao explained.

Positioned at the crossroads of the Silk Roads, Chang'an attracted merchants, artists, aristocrats, and travelers and became a cultural melting pot where foreign beliefs and traditions thrived alongside Chinese customs.

The exhibition brings the streets of Chang'an to life with a series of striking statues and artifacts that ensure visitors encounter depictions of diverse figures, from foreign tribal chiefs to military officials and courtiers. Many of these ceramics feature a three-color glaze of green, yellow, and brown that showcases a type of craftsmanship that influenced pottery styles across Asia and beyond.

Various religions coexisted during the Tang Dynasty, including Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Christianity, according to Tsao. The exhibition includes a map illustrating the city's grid-like layout, which was dotted with 130 religious institutions.

Statues of genie-guardians, meditative Buddhas, and zodiac animals highlight the rich spiritual tapestry of the period.

The cosmopolitan openness extended to women of the Tang Dynasty court, who enjoyed remarkable freedoms, being able to ride horses, play polo, and adopt masculine attire, which can be seen depicted in colorful figurines unearthed from imperial tombs.

Hairstyles, considered sacred under Confucian traditions, were elaborately styled with ornate pins and gold combs, reflecting evolving beauty standards, Tsao said.