Tang Dynasty denialism trends on Chinese internet

A viral trend on the Chinese internet is claiming that the Tang Dynasty, which ruled from 618 AD to 907 AD, never actually existed. The movement gained momentum after a history influencer named Qiao Yu released a video using astrological data to argue that the succeeding Song Dynasty began much earlier than historically accepted, effectively erasing the Tang period.

The hashtag regarding the claim has garnered tens of millions of views on Weibo. The phenomenon has led to reports of individuals contacting the tourism bureau in Xi’an, the former Tang capital, demanding its closure based on the claim that the dynasty was a hoax.

While the Tang Dynasty is a cornerstone of Chinese history and education, some nationalist critics have previously targeted the era because its founding emperor was not from the Han ethnic group. Experts have characterized the claims as unfounded.