HK hosts largest-ever Tang Dynasty exhibition, revealing a multicultural golden age

The most comprehensive exhibition on the multicultural integration and openness of the flourishing Tang era, hosted at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, invites visitors to explore the confidence and inclusiveness of this golden age.

Titled “Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration and Openness,” the exhibition is jointly organized by the Development Bureau and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

The exhibition features 298 exhibits on loan from 28 mainland cultural institutions, as well as highlights 29 significant Tang dynasty archaeological discoveries unearthed in Hong Kong.

Visitors will journey through eight thematic sections, covering the Tang administrative system, the layout planning and vibrant lifestyle of Chang’an city, and the coexistence of diverse religions.

"The Tang dynasty profoundly shaped Chinese history, with much of modern China’s culture tracing back to this era," said Susanna Siu Lai-kuen, Chief Heritage Executive of the Antiquities and Monuments Office.

She added that Tang urban planning influenced Japan and Korea, while some regions also adopted its imperial examination system.

David Leung Chee-kay, Commissioner for Heritage, noted that the figurines on exhibit showed that talented foreigners could perform at court and hold government positions in Tang society, highlighting the dynasty’s openness.

Some figurines even depict women playing polo, despite the sport’s physical demands and risks, Leung said.
 
Another key section features 29 ceramics discovered in Hong Kong, highlighting Hong Kong as an important hub on the Maritime Silk Road.
 
Ceramic fragments found locally confirm Hong Kong’s involvement in Tang intermediary trade, Leung noted, adding that the dynasty even garrisoned troops in Tuen Mun for defense.

Additionally, the exhibition offers multilingual guided tours, aiming to attract both local and international visitors to explore Hong Kong’s connections with the Tang dynasty.