The Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907) had its capital at the eastern end of the Silk Road. During the Tang dynasty China became an expansive, cosmopolitan empire. The capital city of Chang'an or with its modern name Xi'an, became the world's largest city. It attracted traders and pilgrims from all over the world. Foreign influences enriched Chinese art and culture. Stimulated by contact with India and the Middle East, the empire saw a flowering of creativity in many fields. The Tang Dynasty was the golden age of poetry, literature and art. The sculptural pottery art, often decorated with sancai three-colored lead glaze is still and forever linked to this age of which the Bactrian horse figures are the most famous and sought after.
