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

Culture and everyday life

The Tang Dynasty was also marked by economic growth and political stability, which in turn fostered a refined cultural elite.

Wealthy households replaced lacquerware with gold and silver items believed to grant immortality, while scholars celebrated tea and wine in their writings, according to Tsao.

The exhibition also highlights Tang Dynasty entertainment that included orchestras that blended diverse instruments, theatrical performances, and mesmerizing "long-sleeved" dances.

Nearly 200 artifacts, many on display outside China for the first time, bring the golden age to life, among them jewelry and decorative plates on loan from the Museum of Tibetan Medicinal Culture in Northwestern China's Qinghai province.

From the grand portico entrance evoking the drum signals that once marked the opening of city gates of Chang'an, to the colorful depictions of daily life, the exhibition offers an immersive journey into Tang Dynasty.

While many Tang-era buildings in Xi'an, the modern name for Chang'an, no longer exist, the exhibition keeps their legacy alive, celebrating a golden age that continues to inspire Chinese cultural identity. Visitors to the Guimet Museum can witness how the past grandeur of an extraordinary era resonates through art, history, and global influence.

Tang China: A Cosmopolitan Dynasty runs from Nov 20 to March 3 at the Guimet Museum in Paris. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to step back into one of the most fascinating periods of Chinese history.