Showcasing a dynamic era

In terms of architecture, it offers a map to show clearly the layout of the capital Chang'an, a then international hub, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It boasted more than 1 million inhabitants. At its peak, the royal palace in Chang'an spread across about 3.2 square kilometers, or 3.5 times larger than the Forbidden City and 3 times the size of Versailles.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant life of the cosmopolitan era through captivating video displays of bustling street scenes and audio recordings of vendors hawking their wares, in addition to viewing the exquisite artifacts.

Gold and silver wares were highly popular in the Tang era with their craftsmanship reaching an unparalleled level of excellence.

This exhibition brings together exquisite gold and silver artifacts unearthed from the Famen Temple in Baoji, Shaanxi, an important Buddhist temple for the royal families; the Hejia Village Hoard in Xi'an, which houses large quantities of gold and silver wares for the court; and the Dingmaoqiao Hoard in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, a treasure trove for households. It marks the first time that artifacts from these three locations are being showcased together overseas.

For instance, the incense holder made from gilt silver is a spectacular piece, featuring four finely engraved paintings on its body to demonstrate interesting stories of Buddhism. It was discovered from the underground palace of Famen Temple and was used to contain incense, a common element of Buddhist rituals and would have been used during royal ceremonies.