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In Most of the ethnic minorities have a rich cultural tradition
embracing song, dance, oral literature and art. The colourful dances
of the Uygurs, Kazaks, Mongolians and Koreans are particularly well
known. The Uygurs, Mongolians, Huis, Manchus, Tibetans, Bais and
Dais all possess substantial bodies of literature and art as well
as historical and technological works and religious classics. In
every aspect, economic,  political
and cultural, each group absorbs nourishment from its fraternal
groups for its own enrichment, and each language is under the constant
influence of the fraternal tongues. Even the formation and development
of each ethnic group is a constant process of association, separation
and fusion, a constant process of emigration and immigration between
different groups.
During the Tang Dynasty, the territory shared by various groups expanded
both northward and southward. The Han group replenished itself, and
the ethnic minorities raised their production level and standard of
living. A new phase in national fusion appeared and feudalism developed
among groups sharing the same territory. At its height, the Tang Empire
developed extensive ties with more than 300 countries and regions
in Asia, including Korea, Japan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran
an Arabia. Many kings, envoys, scholars, monks, merchants and common
people of the countries east and west respected China and her capital
Chang'an, and regarded a visit to Chang'an as the greatest honour.
The Chinese government even established administrative organs for
the reception of foreign visitors, providing interpreters, daily necessities
and travel expenses for their trips back home. The Tang emperors frequently
received foreign envoys with courtesy and cordiality.
During that time, Chang'an's East and West markets were much larger
and far better planned than the Han Chang'an markets. Closer to the
Silk Road terminal, the West Market was more prosperous than the East
Market. The Tang markets did business more freely with foreigners.
Foreign merchants bought goods from Chang'an markets, loaded them
on camels' backs, departed via the Kaiyuan Gate and took the Silk
Road back to their homelands. There were also many merchants from
the Western Regions who settled in the city and engaged in various
trades.
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