From the triumph of Wu Zetian to the splendor of Xuanzong’s court, the Tang reached extraordinary heights. How did it all come undone?In Part 9 of From Pangu to Puyi, we continue the story from China’s only female emperor through the Tang’s golden age and its long, turbulent decl ...Show more
A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 8
Tang China’s borders are expanding, its capital is welcoming the world, and behind the palace walls, Wu Zetian is making her move.In Part 8 of From Pangu to Puyi, we follow the Tang from the reign of Taizong into the age of Gaozong and the extraordinary rise of China’s future fem ...Show more
This episode we chronicle the life of Master Kong A.K.A. Confucius, as well as detail his socio-political philosophies which would shape the future of China, as well as those of much of the rest of East Asia.Less fighting, more thinking, in the first of two interim episodes befor ...Show more
This Episode, we take a time-out from the historical flow to take advantage of the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. We explore the history, legends, customs, and meaning behind this ancient and storied period of celebration. Happy Year of the Yang Wood Horse! Learn more abo ...Show more
Max Pearson presents a collection of this week’s Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service.To mark 50 years since the discovery of the Terracotta Army, we're exploring modern Chinese history.We hear from the man who helped to modernise the Chinese language by creating a ...Show more