Li Yuan was a governor in the Sui Dynasty government. He rebeled, conquered Sui dynasty's capital, Changan, and put a child as Emperor Gong of Sui Dynasty. In 818, Emperor Gong abdicated the throne. Li Yuan, took the throne and founded Tang Dynasty.
Emperor Gaozu's Xianling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Sanyuan County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Taizong
Temple Name: Taizong
Name: Li Shimin
Reign Years: 4 September 626 to 10 July 649
In 626, Emperor Taizu retired and Emperor Taizong took the throne. Emperor Taizong introduced imperial exams and promoted Buddhism. The silkroad flourished during this period and the empire started to reach the height of its power.
Emperor Taizong's Zhaoling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Liquan County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Gaozong
Temple Name: Gaozong
Name: Li Zhi
Reign Years: 15 July 649 to 27 December 683
Emperor Gaozong ruled over this stable period. His second wife Wu Zetian helped him to rule.
Emperor Gaozong's Zhaoling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Qian County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Zhongzong
Temple Name: Zhongzong
Name: Li Xian
Reign Years: 684, 705 to 710
Emperor Zhongzong ruled temporarily. Emperor Zhongzong's Qianling Mausoleum is at Xingping City Xianyang Prefecture, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Ruizong
Temple Name: Ruizong
Name: Li Dan
Reign Years: 27 February 684 to 8 October 690, 710-712
Emperor Ruizong ruled temporarily.
Emperor Ruizong's Qiaoling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province.
Empress Wu Zetian
Temple Name: Wu Zetian
Name: Zhu Zhanji
Reign Years: 690 to 705
Wu Zetian dethroned the emperor and ruled. The dynasty was called Zhou dynasty or Wu Zhou dynasty. The capital was moved from Chang an to Luoyang. She was forced to abdicate and Emperor Zhongzong ruled again.
Emperor Zhongzong
Temple Name: Zhongzong
Name: Li xian / Li Zhe
Reign Years: 23 February 705 to 3 July 710
Emperor Shang
Temple Name: Shang
Name: Li Chongmao
Reign Years: 8 July 710 to 25 July 710
Emperor Ruizong
Temple Name: Ruizong
Name: Li Dan
Reign Years: 25 July 710 to 8 September 712
Emperor Xuanzong
Temple Name: Xuanzong
Name: Li Longji
Reign Years: 8 September 712 to 12 August 756
Emperor Xuanzong brought the empire to its golden age. Towards the end of his rule, poor handling of the state affairs and infatuation with consort Yang Guifeng led to decline of the empire. The An Lushan Rebellion broke out in 755. It lasted 8 years and severely weaken the empire. The empire also faced with natural disasters and invasions and peasant rebellions.
Emperor Xuanzong's Tailing Mausoleum is at Weinan City Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Suzong
Temple Name: Suzong
Name: Li Heng
Reign Years: 12 August 756 to 16 May 762
Emperor Suzong supressed the An Shi Rebellion during this rule.
Emperor Suzong's Jianling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Liquan County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Daizong
Temple Name: Daizong
Name: Li Yu
Reign Years: 18 May 762 to 23 May 779
Emperor Daizong successfully supressed the An Shi rebellion. His focus on building Buddhist temples strained the empire's finance.
Emperor Daizong's Yuanling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Fuping County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Dezong
Temple Name: Dezong
Name: Li Shi
Reign Years: 12 June 779 to 25 February 805
Emperor Dezong tried to control the power of Fan Zhen but failed.
Emperor Dezong's Chongling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Jingyang County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Shunzong
Temple Name: Shunzong
Name: Li Song
Reign Years: 28 February 805 to 31 August 805
Emperor Shunzong introduced reforms to improve the administration of Tang court.
Emperor Shunzong's Fengling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Fuping County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Xianzong
Temple Name: Xianzong
Name: Li Chun
Reign Years: 5 September 805 to 14 February 820
Emperor Xianzong faced powerful eunuchs and was killed by one of them.
Emperor Xianzong's Fengling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Muzong
Temple Name: Muzong
Name: Li Heng
Reign Years: 20 February 820 to 25 February 824
Emperor Muzong neglected his duties and alllowed teh regional military governors to be too powerful.
Emperor Muzong's Guangling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Jingzong
Temple Name: Jingzong
Name: Li Zhan
Reign Years: 29 February 824 to 9 January 827
Emperor Jingzong ruled but was controlled by the corrupted officals and eunuchs.
Emperor Jingzong's Zhuangling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Sanyuen County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Wenzong
Temple Name: Wenzong
Name: Li Ang
Reign Years: 13 February 827 to 10 Fenruary 840
Emperor Wenzong ruled but was controlled by the corrupted eunuchs.
Emperor Wenzong's Zhangling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Fuping County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Wuzong
Temple Name: Wuzong
Name: Li Yan
Reign Years: 20 February 840 to 22 February 846
Emperor Wuzong started the persecution of Buddhism.
Emperor Wuzong's Duanlingling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Sanyuan County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Xuanzong
Temple Name: Xuanzong
Name: Li Yan
Reign Years: 25 April 846 to 7 September 859
Emperor Xuanzong encouraged development of culture and technology.
Emperor Xuanzong's Zhenling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Jingyang County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Yizong
Temple Name: Yizong
Name: Li Cui
Reign Years: 13 September 846 to 15 August 873
The empire started to decline during Emperor Yizong's rule.
Emperor Yizong's Jianling Mausoleum is at Weinan City Fuping County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Xizong
Temple Name: Xizong
Name: Li Xuan
Reign Years: 16 August 873 to 20 April 888
The Huang Chao rebellion broke out during Emperor Xizong's rulend weaken the empire.
Emperor Xizong's Jingling Mausoleum is at Xianyang City Qian County, Shaanxi Province.
Emperor Zhaozong
Temple Name: Zhaozong
Name: Li Ye
Reign Years: 16 August 873 to 20 April 888
Emperor Zhaozong ruled over a period of chaos and rebellions.
Emperor Zhaozong's Wenling Mausoleum is at Luoyang City Henan Province.
Emperor Zhaoxuan
Temple Name: Zhaoxuan
Name: Li Zhu
Reign Years: 26 September 904 to 12 May 907
Emperor Zhaoxuan was posioned by Chancellor Zhu Wen who later founded Later Liang Dynasty.
Emperor Zhaozong's Heling Mausoleum is at Heze City Shandong Province.
