Statecraft & Independence
Landmark
Emperor Taizong of Tang
598 β 649
Tang emperor whose reign is remembered as a model of good government
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the China Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
The second emperor of the Tang dynasty, whose reign laid the foundations of one of China's most prosperous and outward-looking eras.
Li Shimin helped his father found the Tang dynasty and took the throne in 626 after killing two of his brothers in the Xuanwu Gate incident. His reign, known as the Reign of Zhenguan, became a byword for capable government that listened to criticism.
Under him Tang power extended deep into Central Asia, and the capital Chang'an became one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
Under him Tang power extended deep into Central Asia, and the capital Chang'an became one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
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