During the reign (627-649) of Emperor Taizong, the Tang Dynasty became a great center of East Asian civilization. Various states in the Western Regions established diplomatic and trade relations with Tang Dynasty. Tubo to the southwest of the Tang lands also sent emissaries there.
Tubo in ancient China gained in power and prestige from the 7th to the 9th century.
After ascending the throne of Tsampo (king), Songtsan Gampo unified Tubo, and establish his capital in present-day Lhasa, and founded a unified Tubo Kingdom. The Tubo Kingdom actively sought to establish closer ties with the Tang Dynasty.
In 634, Songtsan Gampo sent an embassy to pay tribute to the Tang Emperor, requesting that a daughter of the Han imperial family be offered in marriage to him. The Tang Emperor sent a minister to Tubo in response.
In 638, Songtsan Gampo sent an envoy to Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) with priceless jewels for the Emperor, requesting again a union through marriage. But Emperor Taizong did not consent. Military conflict broke out in the border areas between the two states. Before long, Songtsan Gampo withdrew his troops and sent an envoy to Tang Dynasty to try to make peace.
In 640, Songtsan Gampo sent an envoy to Chang’an with another proposal, expressing Tubo’s sincere desire to establish friendly relations with the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong finally consented and decided to marry Princess Wencheng to Songtsan Gampo.
Princess Wencheng, a niece of Emperor Taizong, was bright and beautiful, and very dutiful. She set out for Tubo in 641. Emperor Taizong gave her a rich and generous dowry. Apart from treasures and classical books, there were all kinds of cookbooks, medical writings, medical instruments and the seeds of all sorts of grains and vegetables. In addition,
a number of craftsmen also followed the princess into Tibet.
The dream that Songtsan Gampo had many years ago had come true. He went over to Bohai (present-day Maduo County in Qinghai Province) with his retinue to await the arrival of Princess Wencheng. He also built the “Bohai Imperial Palace” on the banks of Zhaling Lake and Eling Lake not far away from the source of the Yellow River, in which their wedding ceremony was to be held.
After entering Tubo, Princess Wencheng introduced many aspects of Chinese culture and advanced technology into Tubo. Together with Songtsan Gampo, she made a concerted effort to promote the development of the Tibetan economy and culture. At that time, the Tibetan people had no writing and kept records by knotting ropes or drawing marks. Inspired by Princess Wencheng, Songtsan Gampo ordered the creation of 30 Tibetan letters. The craftsmen who had followed Princess Wencheng into Tubo spread advanced Han techniques, thus making their own contribution to Tibetan agricultural development.
In 650, Songtsan Gampo passed away, but Princess Wencheng still stayed in Tubo.
Princess Wencheng who lived in Tubo for 40 years was loved and esteemed by the Tibetan people. She made a great contribution to promoting the friendly relationship between the Han and Tibetan peoples and Tibetan economic and cultural development.
To this day, the Jokhang Monastery and the Potala Palace house statues of Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. Ballads sung in praise of Princess Wencheng about 1,300 years ago are still in circulation among the common Tibetan people today.
