China Travel Guide

Taizong Li Shimin (598 - 649) , the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty , is a brilliant politician, strategist, militarist, and poet. He served under his father, Li Yuan, as a general at a young age and gained prestige among soldiers and people. Later, he was made Qin Wang (Lord of the Qin State) for his extraordinary contributions during the founding of the Tang Dynasty. In 626 , Li Shimin staged a coup in Xuanwu Gate, killing the crown princess Li Jiancheng and other princes against him. He also forced his father, Li Yuan, the Gaozu Emperor, to abdicate. In the same year, Li Shimin established himself the Emperor Taizong and began his reign. He proved himself an outstanding emperor, creating a golden age of the Reign of Zhenguan. He was so successful that people forgave his crime of murdering brothers. On July 10, 649, Taizong passed away and was buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum .  Tang Taizong Basics of Emperor Taizong’s Life Name : Li Shimin Title : Emperor Taizong of the Tang D...

Wu Zetian (624 - 705) is an outstanding politician in the Tang Dynasty, the founding monarch of Wuzhou age (690 - 705), the only orthodox female empress in Chinese history. She was an extraordinary woman, talented, intelligent, and ruthless in the ruling. She rose step by step from a nameless person in the royal court to an intimidating ruler and grabbed the Li family's power. Some people may judge here, but what we can’t deny is that Wu Zetian was a female hero who dared to challenge the patrilineal society and proved to be a brilliant empress. Quick Facts about Wu Zetian Wu Zetian is the only legitimatized Empress in Chinese history.  Wu Zetian Wu Zetian established her dynasty - the Zhou dynasty. Wu Zetian came to the throne when she was 67, making her the oldest person ever be crowned. Wu Zetian was one of the longest-lived monarchs (82 years old) in Chinese history.  Wu Zetian had two husbands, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi and his father, Tang Taizong Li Shimin. Wu Zetian deposed ...