After decades living in England, writer and filmmaker Xiaolu Guo travelled to her native China with her daughter. Her objective was twofold: to show her eleven-year-old where she came from, and to discover what remained of an enigmatic period that had long fascinated her: the magnificent and cosmopolitan Tang Dynasty (618–907). As they wander through the great cities of Xi’an and Luoyang, and cross the Wei and the Yangzi Rivers, Guo ponders the unique artistic, intellectual and social achievements of the Tang Dynasty and its influence on Western culture. Part travelogue, part historical reflection, Everyday Tang is a profound – and often startling – meditation on China’s Golden Age.

Author Xiaolu Guo presents her new book ‘Everyday Tang’ as part of China Week 2026, chaired by the Lau China Institute’s Director, Kerry Brown. 

This event will be followed by drinks.

Speakers

Xiaolu Guo is a novelist, memoirist and filmmaker. Her novels include A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, I Am China and A Lover’s Discourse, which was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize 2020. Her memoir Once Upon a Time in the East won the National Book Critics Circle Award 2017 and was shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize. Her most recent novel, Call Me Ishmaelle, was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Pick. Named as one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2013, she has directed a dozen award-winning films, including How is Your Fish Today (Sundance Official Selection). Her feature She, a Chinese received the Golden Leopard Award at the Locarno Festival 2009 and her documentary We Went to Wonderland was selected for ND/NF Festival at the Museum of Modern Art. Guo is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Kerry Brown is Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London. He is a leading scholar of contemporary China, specialising in Chinese politics, history, international relations and UK–China relations. Previously Professor of Chinese Politics at the University of Sydney and Head of the Asia Programme at Chatham House, he also spent seven years working for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing. He is the author of more than 20 books on China, most recently Mao: Power and Contradiction (2026).

This is a free event, which means we overbook to allow for no-shows and avoid empty seats. While we generally do not have to turn people away, this does mean we cannot guarantee all ticket holders a place. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. Those without tickets will not be admitted.

This event is hosted as part of King’s Lau China Institute’s CHINA WEEK (19-23 October) - a series of events designed to engage a wider audience in China. Find out more at kcl.ac.uk/china-week